I joined about 45 "old" Radiomen attending The Coast Guard CW Operators Association's 2007 Annual Meeting in San Antonio, Texas from October 24th through the 28th. Ah, the echoes of ditty dah dits and sea stories flooded the city as the ZUTTERS and their XYLs gathered here and there.

For those of you that were not fortunate enough to be a Coast Guard Radioman in the days of Morse Code (ditty dah dits), let me explain some terminology, ZUT is the fraternal order of Coast Guard CW Operators - Zeta Upsilon Tau. We call ourselves, ZUTTTERS, Brass Pounders or anything else except late for watch. XYLs are our spouses, it's an abbreviation for Ex-Young Lady. You have to remember we formed our fraternal order long before Political Correctness so you won't find any 'significant others' being mentioned here.

If you are interested in The Coast Guard CW Operators Association, please visit their website.

First, I wish to recognize the dedication of Jack and Lupe Malchoff along with Cindy Malone for organizing, scheduling and planning a very sucessful, exciting and enjoyable meeting. Our "headquarters" during the meeting was the Airport Hilton in San Antonio. Our schedule included a lot of remberances, sea stories and chats in our Hospitality Suite, a tour of Brooke Army Medical Center's Burn Unit, a field trip to Fredricksburg, Texas, a San Antonio River Tour, a business breakfast and a final dinner.

Hospitality Suite

River Cruise

Brooke Army Medical Center's Burn Unit

Very few photos were taken during our visit to BAMC Burn Unit out of respect for patient's privacy.

Road Trip - Fredricksburg, Texas

Hamming It Up

Saturday Night Banquet

Unfortunately, our own Lonny Johnson had a heart attack midway through the Saturday night banquet and was quickly transported to the BAMC for a angiogram and ultimately open heart surgery. Lonny has been released and recovering before his return home to Portland, Ore.

Silent Key. It is with deep regret that I inform you that RMCS-Retired Jack Malchoff, Jr., ZUT #1039, crossed the bar on Friday, November 16, 2007 after complications from surgery at the age of 64.

Jack was born to Jack, Sr. and Dorothy Malchoff on October 30, 1943. He graduated from Central Catholic High School in 1961 and went on to Texas A&M until he was drafted his Senior year into the United States Coast Guard. He was then deployed and served in the Vietnam War. He retired a Senior Chief Radioman for the Coast Guard and was a member of the Coast Guard CW Operators Association. He was a Licensed Commercial Pilot. He was a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles; an engineer, a member of the Texas Seed Growers Association. and involved in numerous organizations.

Jack and I served together as instructors at RM School, TRACEN Governor's Island in the mid to late 60's. I am proud to have known Jack and will miss him.