Tribute to Roy Gettz after 30 years of organizing the group.
| Upon hearing that several couples had gotten
together for a Chitose reunion, he decided to attend the second reunion
held in Las Vegas. He immediately got involved by taking on the task
of maintaining the membership list. He maintained the list for over
30 years. Through his efforts the membership grew from the initial 15 members to over 3000 members. Roy served on the Board of Directors and was its’ guiding hand. He never gave orders but would suggest to the Board what needed to be done and what options that could be used to come to a successful conclusion. Roy loved the reunions and wanted them to be fun and organized for all the members. He set the high standard that continues to keep them the best reunions. Roy's tireless pursuits resulted at doubling the number who attended the 3rd reunion held in Nashville in 1991 than attended the 2nd reunion. Through Roy's efforts, and others, the reunions have grown to be a grand party. Roy has also hosted 3 different reunions in Kissimmee, Florida. On several occasions members of Bei Yu Kai arranged to attend the ASA Chitose Reunions. Roy contacted the Bei Yu Kai (American Friend Japanese Association) in Chitose Japan. This Association is made up of former employees at the Field Station Chitose, local business, and civic leaders, who had an association with Field Station Chitose. On several occasions members of Bei Yu Kai arranged to attend the ASA Chitose Reunions. Roy organized several trips back to Chitose with the latest trip in 2016. The trips included local site seeing, a visit to the Chitose site and meeting with the Bei Yu Kai as well with local government officials. Roy also undertook the task of selling ASA and Chitose paraphernalia (T-shirts, patches, hats, etc.) to the membership. The Association owes Roy a lot of gratitude for all he has done enthusiastically and that special bond he has created with the Good Old 12Th USA ASA Field Station Chitose. |
Kyoko and Roy Gettz
Carlo Giovannitti, one of the original members, and Roy
"The 1st" Chitose ASA Reunion was the idea of four guys from Eastern Ohio and Western Pennsylvania
Bill Christie, Bill (Bucky) Straka, Dick Ronzi and Don Urwin, with the blessing and much needed support of their wives.
They contacted, Don Holtz, California, Carl Gunn, Mississippi, Jim Coyle, Western Ohio and Carlo Giovannitti in South Jersey.
We all met in Warren (Niles) Ohio at a motel, had a Hospitality Suite.
Dick and Judy Ronzi hosted a picnic at their home on the lake and we had a great dinner at a Japanese Restaurant, Of Course!
At this reunion we decided to do it again as it was such a fun time. We chose Las Vegas.
More of the Chitose Gang was located, Especially Roy Gettz. He got started Big Time and located so many more Chitose people.
There were approximately 16 couples attending this reunion.
Roy's tireless pursuits led to a great crowd at the Nashville Reunion in 1991
Through Roy's efforts, and others it has grown to the grand party it has become.
We owe him a lot of gratitude for all he has done enthusiastically and that special bond he has with the Good Old 12Th USASA, Chitose
..........Carlo and Mary Ellen Giovannitti
Roy Past and Present
Roy Gettz in 1990 enjoying a drink with the early members of the group.
Roy with his Chitose Friends Punchy Kraft and John Kaye
2005 Reunion Kissimmee Florida Phil Peters and Roy Gettz
I would like to take this oppurtunity to thank Roy for all the work he has put into this group.
He has taken the group with a very small membership and transfered it into a large successful reunion group with over 3000 members.
It has been my pleasure to work with Roy over the years and enjoyed going back to Chitose on two occasions with him.
Always enjoyed seeing him and spending time with him at all the reunions I attended.......Phil Peters
Eileen Goodrich pinning a flower on Roy who sponsored the 2005 Kissimmee FL Reunion
Roy with Tamiko Beckham showing his great sence of humor.
Milt Kessler, Dennis Robson, Roy Gettz and John Kaye having a few laughs.
Roy Gettz with our past President Andy Goodrich
|
Roy Gettz, " The Heart and Soul of the Chitose Reunion" The Summer of 1996 a man called Roy Gettz called me to see if I was interested in attending a Chitose Reunion. He informed me of an upcoming reunion in Las Vegas, Nevada. I was very interested, so was my wife Eileen who had heard me talk about my tour in Chitose many times. Ironically he called my friend in Ron Nichols the same day. It wasn't long before Ron, his wife Willa, Eileen and I decided we were all in. Our first reunion was held at the old Alladin Hotel in downtown Las Vegas. It was great fun. I saw old friends I never thought I would see again. Sgt. Rummery, Sgt. Delatore. Men from my trick I went to school with at Devens. It was a dream come true. I wanted more. In the year 2000 at Kissimmee, Florida I was appointed to the board. There I learned why the reunions were so organized and so much fun. The reason was Roy Gettz. He was the guiding hand. Only the 6 board members could vote. The President, the Vice-President and the Secretary (Roy Gettz) would run the yearly meetings. Roy was on top of everything. He never gave orders but would suggest to the board what needed to be done and what options we could use to come to a successful conclusion. Everyone felt they had a voice and all voices were listened to. We didn't always agree but we all felt we had contributed and were respected. There was a spirit of cooperation and we all enjoyed being part of the team. Roy loved the reunions. He wanted them to be fun and organized for all the members. He worked tirelessly to make them the best they could be. Believe me they were the best and are still the best. Roy Gettz deserves our gratitude and respect. I want to thank him personally for the great gift he has given us all. Wonderful times with friends, the interesting places we have been and all thestories and memories we hold dear. You have done well old friend, very well indeed. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Respectfully, Past President Andrew Goodrich |
Roy making a presentation at one of our reunion meetings.
2014 Roy and Punchy along with a Japanese newsman who arranged contacts for our 2016 trip to Chitose
Roy and the members on our 2016 trip in front of the old headquarters building on Chit 3
Roy presenting gifts on our trip back to Chitose in 2016
John Kaye, Charlie Murphy, Kumi Kaye, Kieko Murphy Roy Gettz and members of the JGSDF showing us photos from the 60s.
Having lunch on our trip to Japan 2016
Phil Lux, Phil Peters, Roy Gettz, Harry Garcia and John Kaye
Roy Gettz in Chitose John Kaye and Roy Gettz: ONE FOR THE ROAD