Groups like the CAF always have trouble keeping it together. Mix people who are passionate about things with those who are passionate about themselves and nothing is going to stay bolted for long. The question here is, which group is which?
I'd love to hear what you think about it. If in this case the issue follows the strict rules of "how to screw up a good thing with non-profits", you can guarantee someone up top is playing dictator. But, you never know. Every group has good people and bad. For now though, here's a copy of the first public shot in what will likely become another legendary, although little publicized, battle among "The Colonels".
Oh wait, there's one other thing. Without passing judgement on either side, I think I have a solution to all the petty issues that have always plagued the organization; it's the flight suits; get rid of them. Make it a mandatory CAF court marshal for anyone who is caught wearing anything other than cutoff cargo pants and a Hawaiian shirt. Then get rid of the "Colonel" titles. Instead let's go with the name of any drink other than something that starts with "Captain" or "virgin". From what I've seen "Shirley Temple, Death in the Afternoon, Porchcrawler, The Royal Arrival, Flaming Volcano, Zombie, El Toro Loco, Kamikaze, Bellini, Pink Squirrel, Redheaded Slut, and water would all be acceptable.
Think how much harder it would be for someone to be a jerk with these lines in the bylaws. The snobs would never lower themselves to such blue collar fun and the uptights would be too uptight for them. Left standing would be the people who've done all the work through the years anyway.
I almost forgot; here's what started all of this:
January 24, 2014
To: Commemorative Air Force
Headquarters
General Staff
Keith Lawrence, Vice President of
Administration
Floyd Houdyshell,
Secretary/Treasurer
From: Diane Fenner
New Mexico Wing
1318 N. Dal Paso
Hobbs, New Mexico,
88240
575-390-0851
We, the
members of the New Mexico Wing, are closing our doors. This is a sad day for the first CAF Wing
outside of Harlingen, formed in the early 1970’s. The idea a “Wings” was the brain child of
Col. Hal Fenner with the idea that the CAF will thrive long into the future if
members can work and restore aircraft close to where they live, thus bringing
the passion for the CAF mission close to home and firmly into many lives. From the first Wing located in Hobbs, New
Mexico, the idea spread across the United States and around the world. The concept is why the CAF is still here
today.
A thousand
words can be said for why we are no more, but it really boils down to one action
taken by the current regime, and that was kicking our duly elected general staff
members, Floyd Houdashell and Graham Robertson, off the general staff for
casting 2 descending votes in a staff decision.
The members
of the southeastern New Mexico, and across the country who were “in the know” of
this action were shocked, disgusted, and in total dismay of the fundamental
message this action conveyed. The
flowery words and the propaganda put forth to justify it were meaningless and
did not fly. We are an organization that
honors the principles and values for which our country fought WWII to protect,
yet our own organization has adopted the mindset and the practices of the other
side of WWII.
This action,
followed by the hideous treatment of the CAF’s shining star, our world class,
accredited, Smithsonian-equal Museum, rendered to a shell of a building full of
artifacts for profit by removing its founder, its board, its employees, and all
who viewed the museum with the honor it deserved. Members simply doing their jobs, kicked out
for life by means of a bogus lawsuit and intimidation.
These actions
made it impossible to recruit new members without lying about what the
organization now really is. It
absolutely killed the esprit de corps
of the membership which is vital for survival.
“The CAF
values the lessons of WWII” No, our actions do not demonstrate democracy,
freedom of speech or the basic concepts of our own country’s Constitution. We are governed by fear of repercussions if
one speaks out. Fear of what will happen
to our aircraft or our Wing.
“The CAF
values its members” No, we elect
general staff members who represent our views and then get kicked out of the
organization for simply doing their job.
“The CAF
values its employees” No, only if you
are a quiet puppet will you survive, with over 20 good people making their exit
over the last 6 years, for very good reasons which the general staff refuse to
explore, ask, or care.
Our current
members refuse to send a dime to headquarters; will not pay their dues, as a
display of the only way they know to make their statement of disgust. No new members. No retention of old members. The end of a great Wing.
While we
understand this is all by design, master minded by Steve Brown and a few select
general staff members. Concepts like Failure By Design employed on the Permian
Basin to make excuse to move to the big city. The future of the CAF. A couple of mega Wings, Super Wings,
Airbases, or Star Ship Enterprises, whatever nifty word you want to call
them. The “Good Old Boy’s Flying Club”
has never been so prolific as it is
today, and as grand as you think you are, you will have a difficult time without
the members. Those who are in it for
person gain you will keep. Those who
are in it to support the true values of the generation that fought WWII will be
history – such is the members of the New Mexico Wing.
Sincerely,
Diane Fenner #11263, Life Member #2785
