MSC & SCA FOUNDERS
CHRONOLOGICAL HISTORY

This is a chronological history of our beginnings to include our founders who are in no small part responsible for what we are today. The title of founder is given to these individuals: Retired Colonels Bob Fields, Dick Ginn, Mike Girone, Dan Gower, Gil Jacox, and Ernie Rezendes, George Hammond, Earl McSwain, Jim Vinci, Ellis Hall, Gordon Moore, Carroll Ockert, Ernie Sylvester, and George Waters.

The early reunions were primarily social in nature, a time for the retired officers and warrant officers, along with their spouses and guests, to get together in a social atmosphere. There were tours of San Antonio for the ladies, a golf tournament for those who golfed, but there was no program per se.

Below is a list of the Reunion Years, the location, and the principal coordinators:

1992 San Antonio Col. (R) Marvin Nation

1994 San Antonio Col. (R) Marvin Nation

1996 Las Vegas, NV Col. (R) Marvin Nation

1998 Reunion : Columbus , Georgia , chaired by Col. (R) Roy Brooks. This was the beginning of a new format. Although only about sixty persons attended the event, there was a formal program of events. There were several entertaining and informative speakers, and despite the relatively sparse turnout the reunion was well received.

2000 MSC Reunion, San Antonio , Texas , was chaired by Jim VanStraten. It was decided to carry on with the format started by Roy Brooks and his assistants at Fort Benning . With the help of Thomas Kistler, Ken Lingle, and John Conner they decided to go for the top. The reunion was well attended and all were welcomed by the Mayor of San Antonio, and speakers included the Surgeon General of the Army, the MSC Corps Chief's representative, as well as other speakers. This reunion hosted the largest gathering to date, with 317 enjoying the concluding banquet.

During the business meeting of this reunion it was proposed that the group explore the feasibility of forming some type of an association. An exploratory committee was formed to draft a Constitution and Bylaws to be presented at the 2002 MSC Reunion.

2002 Reunion , Clearwater Beach , Florida , co-chaired by George Hammond and Ernest Sylvester. From this time on, an announced program has been part of the reunion agenda. This reunion will be remembered as the beginning of the United States Army MSC Association, thereafter known as the MSC Network, Inc.

At the general membership meeting, Bylaws and Constitution that were written by the Founders were accepted by the members present. The following officers were appointed as the first officers of this newly formed organization:

President: Ernie Rezendes

Vice President: George Hammond

Secretary: appointed at a later date

Treasurer: Jim Vinci

The original Articles of Incorporation of the MSC Network, Inc. listed the first directors of the organization as Col. (R) Ernest Rezendes, Col. (R) Earl McSwain, and Col. (R) James Vinci, and they served in that capacity until the first general meeting was held and directors elected.

The first Board of Directors was elected: Ellis Hall, George Hammond, Gordon Moore, Carroll Ockert, Ernie Sylvester, and George Waters.

Earl McSwain was asked to serve as Secretary and Betty McSwain to serve as Co-Secretary. They accepted and assumed the duties and as time progressed, they assumed the duties of Membership and such other duties as necessary.

President Ernie Rezendes directed that the process of obtaining a name and corporate status would be started by the Secretary, Earl McSwain. The process of obtaining a name and corporate status was followed by a lengthy application to the IRS for an exempt status under the provisions of 501(c)(19). Both applications were successful in the first submission. The official name of the organization, approved by the Secretary of the State of Texas was MSC Network, Inc.

2004 MSC Reunion, San Antonio, Texas, Chairman Joel Batalski, assisted by Phil Swinney and Mike McGinley

At this membership meeting the following officers were elected:

President: Phil Swinney

Vice President: Gordon Hennessy

Secretary: Earl and Betty McSwain

Treasurer: Jim Vinci

This reunion, while successful and well attended, had trouble in its lack of acceptable accounting and management principals. The end result being the refusal by the Chairman to relinquish the residual funds to the organization on a timely basis. Unfortunately, legal intervention by the organization had to be taken against the Chairman to recover residual funds.

President Phil Swinney resigned and George Krueger was appointed by the Board of Governors to fill the vacancy.

2006 Reunion , San Antonio , Texas , Chairman Mike McGinley. The program agenda was followed through in the formal tradition. The support staff added barbershop/choral music at the final banquet, as well as a great dance band.

The following offices were elected:

President: George Krueger

Vice President: Earl McSwain

Secretary: Ed Hollingsworth

Treasurer: Jim Vinci

Board of Directors: George Adams, Melinda Deffer, Geoge Hammond, Wendy Martinson, Carroll Ockert, Ernie Sylvester, and George Waters

An extensive review of the Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws and Constitution were conducted by George Waters, a member of the BOD. Recommendations were presented at the general membership meeting and accepted on 30 September 2006 .