Mavericks

MEETING OF THE MAVERICKS On occasion, retired and active employees of Hughes Aircraft Company Missile Systems (now Raytheon) who are, or were at one time affiliated with the Maverick Missile Program in one way or another, get together for lunch at the API (Airport Inn) on Valencia near the Tucson International Airport. All "Mavericks" are invited to the next get-together. Contact Ken Schanke to get on the notify list, or contact any of the Mavericks you might see below. Friends & spouses are invited as well. All you have to do is buy a pitcher! No, not really. I was just kidding. They have sodas too.
8 August 2008 Well, it's been about eight months since our last meeting and what's good about it is that we didn't wait a year. A lot can happen in a year and to tell the bad news first, we lost Lou Heindel since the last meeting. Several of the Mavericks were busy and looking at the bright side, one or two have retired or moved and couldn't make it, e.g., Bryan Nichols and Keith Sweatland. However, we did talk to Keith compliments of Ken Schanke's cell phone. We missed the ladies, who must have been busy doing Raytheon work...what else could keep them away? And how about Pete Trujillo ? He's only a shadow of his former self !! Good work, Pete !! LOU HEINDEL We gave a toast to the recently departed...here's to ya' Lou, wish you were here ! If you see Mike Collymore or Bob Billesbach, tell them we were taking about them !
Looking good Pete !	Suck it in now !	Here's Ms. Schanke !	Where'd you get the red shirt, PK ?	WAA! Glad you made it, Bill !	GAR !! How the heck are you ???
Hello Ken !	Over here, Craig !	Man ! I though he was digging for gold !	Nah ! I wasn't !	Old guy !	Not too many here !
Gotta' go to work !	Bill is talking to Keith !	Ken says that Keith is coming to Tucson in November (I think) and we're gonna' have a Maverick Meeting ! We'll keep you posted !

SANTA will be here SOON ! 19 December 2007 I hope that the guys that have moved on to other projects still consider themselves Mavericks ! If you check the date, it' just two days shy of one year ago that the small group of Mavericks met for a burger & beer and I think that this group was even smaller. Maybe we need to send out the invitations a little sooner so's that the folks can get their stuff together in time to make the meeting. We had a good time without all of you, so there !!! And, oh yeah, checkout the "Mountain Man " !! There was a time when I called Lou "Mountain Man", but I think Jerry took his place ! PS: Nobody took the photographer's picture so I put one in. I haven't changed a bit ! What does get me a little is that I've known nearly everyone here 20 years ! Dang !
Dotty !!! It's been a long time !!! Glad you could make it !			Lou made !! Good to see you too !!
Don't forget <Click> the pictures to enlarge and hit the Back button to return !
Who's that in the middle ?	Good picture of Debbie !	Kevin worked today !	PK hasn't changed !	Checkout the beard !!	Here's GAR !!
The photographer !	Here's Ken !	Good seein' ya' !	Gimmie a hug !	I can't see anything !	Dotty ! Don't stick out your tongue !
Socializing !	Here too !	Lou & Debbie !	It's been a while !	Nichols	Let's talk !
Over here, Bryan !	I'm here, he says !	The Schankes Christmas Picture !	Would the Marines approve ??	Was it funny ?	Good one of Sandi !
See you again !	Back to work !	Here's a nice picture !	Ken's fine old truck !	Side View !
Here's hoping you have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year !!! Hope to see you all sooner than later !
21 December 2006 We didn't have some of the regulars at this meeting. I figure they were doing those last of the year projects at work and didn't have time to come & see the poor old Mavericks ;-). We missed them. Two of the usual group have bailed out and retired on 1 December. I think they're feeling pretty good about it. They are: Keith Sweatland & Jerry Wachob (Had to use older pictures...didn't get a good portrait of either one this time. It don't matter, they look the same) P.S. If you are seeing these pictures but you weren't notified, drop me an e-mail. I'll put you on the list - John
Photos by: John Slusser Click on the small ones to see big ones
First ones here	Ken & Jim	Look out! Retiree on the right !	Who's that old guy back there?	Oops, forgot the flash	With flash. Check out the eyebrows !
Lou, how's it goin' ?	Just look normal !	Ha ! That WAS bad !	One of you have to pay	Sky what?	Drinkin' tea?
Sluggo in red	Evil twin brother ?	Lets eat	Wait ! Three red shirts !	Who me?	Yes you !
Hand jive..no flash	Red River Rats	Still talking with the hands

8 November 2006 How long has it been since I attended a meeting? I missed the last one and we've lost a couple Mavericks since. We are missing Bob Billesbach and most recently we lost Mike Collymore just a month ago. It was good to see the bunch and even the cheeseburger & beer wasn't bad either. Bob Billesbach Mike Collymore
Photos by: John Slusser Click on the small ones to see big ones
Pete! A new man!	Take my picture !	Hey Jerry	John Boy	Mr. Anderson	Lookin' down
Jim & Bryan	Portrait	Here comes Mike	Long time no see	Came early	Lookin' younger
Ken & John	Buy me a drink?	PK & Kevin	Having fun here?	Sluggo !	PK is in em' all
Hello stranger	Time to eat	Smile	Glad to meet ya!	Any What? No flash?	Later, Pete
Serious talk now	I'm going too.	Company man	New face to me	It's coke	Talk, talk
It was the camera	Hangers-on	Camerman

A special meeting was called by Ken Schanke in honor of the Roses. GAR left Tucson about 15 years ago. You can see that George hasn't changed much. Well, not any more than the rest of us. Here are a few pictures taken at the high class establishment, the Air Port Inn (API), on a hot 28th of July, 2005. Sorry if you missed out. If you don't see your picture, you must not have been there. The cheeseburgers were especially good this time. Beer was nice & cold! Photos by: John Slusser Click on the small ones to see big ones
The Roses!	Get a haircut!	Lab man!	Dynamic Duo!	Good pic, Jerry	Patriarch
Tell me more	GAR looks good.	Bill A.	I'm eating!	Leaving	Good to see you.
It was the camera	I'm going too.	PK & GAR	Good visit.	Any beer left?
This meeting took place on December 23rd, 2004 and here are a few photos to remind us that we ain't gettin' any younger! No matter, because we have a pretty good time eating greasy hamburgers, swilling down cold beer, shooting the breeze and telling war stories. That can't be all bad! Photos by: John Slusser and KenSchanke Click on the small ones to see the big ones
Jerry, eyes open!	First bite is the best.	Yes, I DO smile.	Serious.	Merry Christmas!	The Schankes
Tall Maverick	Short & Tall	Hal is an OLD Maverick	I'm a pilot!	Retired both	B-In-Laws
Lou is an even OLDER Maverick	Take the picture damit!	That was a good one!	The WISE wise man.	Take another one.	Yes, we are together.
Get down to business.	Sure, I believe you.	A good group.	Better late than never.	Nichols brothers	Oops! No flash?
It's YOUR turn to buy.	Tell us another one.	Ken took these.	The back of the heads shot.	Sluggo eating nails?	Did I say OLD Mavericks?
Seem to be enjoying.	The Young & the Old.