Date Published: 05/12/2026
There is no such thing as an “ex-military” member,
Discipline cannot be returned,
Honor cannot be hung up,
Duty does not retire,
You may leave
The uniform behind,
But the character
Remains for a lifetime.
MAY GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING
Another reminder of our General Membership meeting on Thursday, May 21, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. at the Oasis Country Club in Palm Desert. This is our Leadership and Scholarship Awards night for the LaQuinta HS AF JROTC and the Desert Hot Springs HS AF JROTC. Dinner is a BBQ buffet for $45. Dress is business attire.
Email LTC Alan Tibbetts at
NAME TAGS TO BE PICKED UP
At each meeting we have on the sign-in table, the name tags for members to be picked up. I have noticed we have quite a few of them. If you have not picked yours up, they are waiting for you at the next meeting. Here are name tags we currently have that are waiting for their owners:
COL Paul Crosby, Ivadell Crosby, CPT David Enger - will receive in the Fall, LTC Gail Kramer, Ed Smilow, CAPT John Doyle, LCDR Karl Szasz, CPT Larry Adams, CPT Steve Garfein, CPT Jim Marshall, Fran Ricketts, LTC Pete Shaner.
IN MEMORIUM
COLONEL WALLACE H. DAWSON III (BO)
January 1932 - January 2026
COL Bo Dawson was a member of CVC-MOAA (PSC-MOAA) for the over 15 years in the early 2000 up until he moved to North Carolina to be close to family. He was an active member attending all of the Chapter functions and served many years on the Chapter’s Board of Directors. His wife, Ann Dawson, was active in the “Wife Auxiliary” and was a generous benefactor to the Chapter after she passed three years ago.
“He was one of the most real persons I have ever met,” reflected COL Mike Dulac. “When I was president, he was my go to person whenever I wanted to hear the straight story whatever tough issue we faced.”
COL Dawson was a soldier, a warrior, on and off the battlefield. He fought for what he deeply believe in - his country and his family. He commanded respect not for who he was - a highly decorated Army officer - but for how he exemplified true courage, commitment, loyalty throughout his life particularly in the face of severe adversity.
Throughout his life, he solemnly abided by the Army code of conduct, which prohibits surrendering one’s free will. He believed in creating his own destiny, shaping his life through positive thinking and intentional action. Every day - and he had many in his 94 years - he fought on his own terms.
He was proud of his distinguished military career, beginning his 21 years of service in 1948 at the tender age of 17, when, unbeknownst to his parents, enlisted in the U.S. Army. In 1951, he was commissioned as an infantry officers upon graduation from Officer Candidate School. His first assignment was as an infantry platoon leader in Korea. In 1972, he was inducted into the U.S. Army Infantry Hall of Fame. His decorations include the Combat Infantry Badge, Master Parachutist, Legion of Merit, three Bronze Starts and three Air Medals. In addition to Korea, he served two combat tours in Vietnam. His duty assignments as an Infantry and Logistics Officers included Okinawa, Japan; Fort Benning, Georgia where he trained as a paratrooper at the U.S. Army Airborne School’ Fort Bragg, Morty Carolina; Bamberg, German; Mannheim, Germany; Izmir Turkey and Selfridge Air Force Base Michigan.
MEMORIAL WEEKEND EVENTS - Monday, May 25, 2026
1. Palm Springs Flower Drop and Air Fair. Features a 1:00 p.m. ceremony with 5,000 red and white carnations dropped from a B-25 Bomber, plus flight exhibitions and music. It opens at 10:00 am.
2. Coachella Valley Public Library Cemetery District Ceremony. This is an annual ceremony with a 9 am flyover, wreath presentations, rifle volleys and choir performances in Coachella.
3. City of Indian Wells Memorial Day Ceremony. This starts at 9:00 am at the Indian Wells Golf Resort, featuring patriotic music and a flyover.
4. Cathedral City Memorial Day Luncheon. This starts at 12:00 p.m. at the Cimarron Golf Resort honoring veterans and local leaders.
5. Forest Lawn Cathedral City Memorial. Starting at 10:00 am, the morning ceremony will be held at the Chapel at 69-855 Ramon Rd.
6. Desert Hot Springs Veterans Park. Presentation of Colors by the DHSHS USMC JROTC will start the ceremony at 9:00 am.
DON’T FORGET TO EMAIL ATIBBETTSRY@ GMAIL.COM TO MAKE YOUR RESERVATION FOR THE NEXT GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING THAT WILL CELEBRATE LEADERSHIP AND SCHOLARSHIPS!
NEVER STOP SERVING
Terrie Heer
MAJ, USA, (Ret.)
President
CVC-MOAA