Mavericks

23 December 2009 Here it is almost Christmas. We finally had a Maverick Meeting and several more showed up than last August, which was good, but it would have been nice to have some of the old Mavericks attend like the good old days. I guess everyone is busy. I don't know how I managed to miss taking a picture of our special guest from waaay up there in Michigan, Mr. Dave Ferguson. He is in town visiting family and will soon be headed toward Alabama to spend the rest of the winter months. BILL ANDERSON We have to say good bye to Bill who is heading for Huntsville next month and will be closer to his family who live in Florida. We'll miss him at the Maverick meetings. He's had been a Maverick longer than anyone, I think. Good luck to Bill. I'll have to change the intro to the Maverick meeting because we had it at the Palo Verde Bar, 5801 S Palo Verde not far from the Benson Highway. It was much improved over the current API and the food was good. Looking forward to more meetings there. <click to enlarge>






20 August 2009 Don't forget to <CLICK> the small ones to see the big ones ! This had to be the smallest group yet. There were five of us and we came pretty close to leaving and going somewhere else. They didn't have any hamburgers because the city had shut them down but only had grilled cheese sandwiches. Sigh. At least they had beer ! The place is pretty well run down so if (IF) there's another Maverick meeting, we'll have to come up with another place, hoping it will be somewhat central to the retired folks and not too far from Raytheon facilities. I can't believe that wasn't here nor was nor nor nor nor...well, you get the idea. These guys have been the main crew for many of the meetings. Must be busy folks. By the way, does anyone know if and his wife really moved to Montana as he was planning ? Here's a non-verbal communication for all of you that abandoned us ! Ken was just being nice !
Pete says he's eligible to retire on the first of the month !		\| Bill says "I need a nap, I should be at my desk."		GAR !!!		Ken !
Sorry, Ken. I thought the first one had your eyes closed !		Pete, push the damn button !!		No food !		You said you were leaving, GAR !

18 December 2008 Ken, what are we gonna' do to attract folks back to the Maverick meeting? We had a good group as usual, but several players were missing, such as Bill, PK, Pete, Sluggo, and his evil twin and many others. Maybe we need to give a bit more notice. John Christensen was there with his new (to me) wife Christine. Lookin' good John ! John says he retired last May. Man ! I'm getting old ! Bill Anderson & I always called him "John Boy". I guess it's "Old Man John" now. Living in the Green Valley Area and thinking to moving to Montana ??
Did I awaken you ?	Ah...better !		Here's Mike !	Ken !	John Boy !		Christina !
Derek is talking to Bill Myers.	Kevin just made it !		Craig too !	Craig has been working out ?	Still on !		Catching flies !
Some pair !	Smile !		I'm leaving !	Hope to see you at the next Maverick meeting !

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.

22 December 2015
Well, over a year has passed since the last meeting so it was about time. There was a good turnout with 14 showing up. I'm pretty sure it was the first time Marty Manzini (sp?) made the lunch. Don't know why Sluggo went outside and missed the group picture. The only one there still slaving for the company is Ortho. Most everybody looked about the same as last year. We misssed Pete Trujillo who is starting his second round of chemo today. Say a prayer for him.

17 December 2015
Has it been over a year already? I was surprised at the turnout since there had been so many who couldn't make it. We had a nice surprise with Sam Matthews showing up all the way from Florida!

15 December 2014
Merry Christmas, everybody! We had a nice get-to-gether at the PaloVerde Inn. Happy New Year.

12 June2014
It's been six months since the last meeting. This time, Pete Trujillo called and said that Bill and Rachael Anderson were on their way to Washington from Florida to visit their daughter, Mary, who's in law school up there. So, that's a good reason for a get-together. Some of the regulars didn't make it, even Rachael couldn't come, but I managed to get her picture later. The little guy is our #10 great grandson, Dakota!

20 December 2013
Well, we're on a roll because it's been two years since our last Maverick get-together. When there's a two year interval, you can tell that some of us have aged a bit since last year, but not too much. You be the judge. On my way in to the Palo Verde Inn, a guy with grey hair said "Hey, John!" and I looked at him and thought, "Who the heck is that?". Turns out it was Al Haggh and it's no wonder I didn't recognize him, he's gotten older and most of all, WHERE'S THE PONY TAIL? Al took a few pictures for me and I should have told him how to focus. You'll see. We had a good time telling war stories and remembering some of the folks from back then. Some guys just can't talk without using their hands. You'd think they were pilots or something like that. Sorry you missed it.














We missed one of the old Mavericks who passed away this year, Dotty Elliot. She was a good one!

21 December 2011 Ijust can't believe it's been two years since the last time the Mavericks got together. If it hadn't been for Ken, it probably would have been another year or more. We had a pretty good time and if you're looking at the pictures and you weren't there, you shoulda' been! Ken says it's not going to be as long until the next! <click pictures to enlarge>