We are drawing close to the end of another year and it causes me to reflect on what we have done and who we are.

I still marvel at the quality of people in the Squad. As I remember some of the missions we have had and the stuff we have dealt with, it again makes me proud to be considered your leader.

Because of the expertise and dedication of each member, the Squad performs its mission even when the leaders stumble or are absent.

This is a year in which John Boyles, John Avery and Steve Holt have fought for their lives against tremendous odds and won.  Their attitude of “no surrender, no quarter” carried them through when it seemed there was no hope.  (Hang in there guys, we’re supporting you every way we can.)

This is the same stuff that each of you display on every mission we go on. Regardless of the weather or the plans you may have had, you show up to look for; a woman in January who wandered at Diamond Point, a man who was strayed at American gulch, helping people get around in deep snow in Pine/Strawberry, slog around in blowing snow at Pyle ranch for a suicide victim, search around Shoo-fly for a man with flat tire on his truck, locate horsemen on 4 Peaks and even stay with the horses till the men returned with their truck, rush to Tonto Natural Bridge to help bring a person up the trail and find that it is over before you arrive, hike down Tonto Creek at Bear Flat to litter carry an injured lady,  cook in the heat of May on 4 Peaks looking for a missing hiker, go back to Pyle Ranch looking for a man who simply left his woman, rescue a swimmer at Box Canyon with a dislocated shoulder, drive to Fossil Creek to find that the person has been driven out, carryout a man with broken ankle at Tonto Natural Bridge, travel to Young to locate a boy who had run away from home, slip and slide through mud to help lightning strike victims, search the East Verde Park area for another possible suicide victim, and then do it again, just to solve the mystery, walking Highway 87 in the middle of the night to find a boy who had fallen out of the family pickup, hiking Fossil Creek trail on two occasions for hikers that were not physically able, tracking a mentally challenged woman in the early hours of a Sunday and then, the same afternoon, carrying out of Tonto Natural Bridge a lady who had fractured her hip. And there is still two months of the year left!
That is just this year, the Squad has been doing this for 36 years and no member has ever done anything because of the hope of a paycheck!

We log about 7000 hours of volunteer work each year doing it because we love it. That is why other people make donations to keep us afloat.  They are just as responsible for saving lives as are our members that are on the trail.

 Thank you one and all.

 Mike T.

Christmas Party Preparations

With the diligent work of Dave and Cathy Pirtle the Annual Christmas party will again be held at Manzanita Manner on December 10, 2000.  The hall will be available from 16-2100 hours.  Feeding time will be at 1730 hours.  The cost is $10.00 per person, pay at the door or before if you wish.  There will be a gift exchange again this year for those who want to participate.  Please hold gift cost under $10.00.  Assistance in setting up the tables is also requested.  The catering company would like a headcount so they will have an idea as to how much food to prepare.  Contact Dave/Cathy at 472-9494 or email at <dpirtle@cybertrails.com> to let them know the total number of people who will attend. 

The meal will be:

Entree’:            Roast Beef or Chicken Breast.

Sides:             Sweet Corn Casserole, Fruit Salad, Sausage & Mushroom

            Stuffing, Dinner Rolls.

Desert:             Carrot Cake

Drinks:            Coffee, Tea, Lemonade.  Bring your own drink if you prefer

something else.

We hope all members will be able to attend.  It was a really fun time last year and will be again.  Mark your calendars, bring your cameras.

Board Member Election

The election for board members is approaching.  If you have someone you wish to nominate who you feel would do a good job, turn in their names to a member of the election committee, Rick Heffernon, Jim Martin, Don Peters, Les Hulse or Dave Pirtle.  Nominations will be taken in November, the election will be in December.  Positions up for election are:     Vice-Commander; currently held by Vynette Sage

                                                Treasurer; currently held by Ron Crimmins

                                                            Board Member; currently held by Dave Murphy.

Get your nominations in.  You may also nominate yourself if you would like to run for one of the positions.  Active members only may vote on the nominees. 

Training Schedule

October 21, 2000 -- Rope Training -- Box Canyon 0900 Hr..

November 12, 2000 -- Speed Tracking Class -- Forest Service Rd 198, approx. 1/4 mile from F/S Road 199 (Houston Mesa Rd.) 0900 Hr..

November 18, 2000 -- Mock Mission -- TBA on call-out.

December 2, 2000 -- Rope Training -- Pine Canyon Narrows 0900 Hr.

Missions

Sept. 27, 2000 -- Fossil Creek -- A female hiker from Prescott Valley was assisted from Fossil Creek Canyon Trailhead.  She had surgery approximately six months ago and had went through extensive therapy and felt she could make the hike.  She ran into trouble on the way out.  Sgt. Hudgens drove to Irving Power Plant and took the Flume road as she was reported to be at the Springs.  Mike Taylor TR-2 and a Pine/Strawberry Fireman did a hasty search down the trail to locate the victim and found her about half way down the trail.  An ATV, driven by Dave Murphy, went down and gave her a ride out.  It would have been an extremely difficult carry out without the ATV.  Nine members responded to the call.  Thanks to all, your efforts are much appreciated.

Oct,8, 2000 –{Two Missions}

Forest Service Road 198 -- A mentally challenged female left camp about 1800 hr. on the 7th.  About 0330 Hr., the male awoke and found she had not returned to camp.  Dave Murphy located tracks approximately 1/4 mile from the camp.  The tracking teams determined direction of travel and started their tracking in that direction.  The team of Charlie Conover TR-9 and Jim McMillion TR-17 located the victim approximately 1/2 mile from the camp.  Medical was dispatched as the victim was unresponsive and appeared to be suffering from dehydration and hypothermia as she was dressed in minimal clothing.  Rick Heffernon TR-5 drove the victim to the camp where Medical attended her. There were fourteen members that responded.  An excellent job by the trackers!!!  Good job folks.  Your training and expertise is paying off.

Tonto Natural Bridge -- Female hiker slipped on the wet trails under the bridge and dislocated her hip and was in major pain.  Pine/Strawberry Fire and the Squad were called out.  The victim was at the bottom located under the bridge.  She was administered Morphine by Medics and the long carry began.  Three P/S Firemen responded along with eleven Squad members.  Thanks go to Sgt. Hudgens, the members, the P/S Fire and the Park Ranger.  Probably some sore muscles the next day. 

Oct. 15, 2000 -- {Two Missions}

Barnhart Trail -- The Yuma Girls Basketball team and two coaches took on the Barnhart Trail System.  One coach left the party and headed back down the trail.  They had the foresight to carry cell phones.  After some time, the coach and eleven team members found they would not make it back at the prescribed time.  The Sheriff’s Office was notified and DPS Helicopter located the party.  Two members, TR-2 Mike Taylor and TR-32 Ira Gibel took to the trail with water and much needed guidance for the party. It seems the party was clothed only in shorts and similar apparel and started fires to keep warm.  Our trusty Leader and his much able companion located the party and brought them out, cold, tired and hungry but with no physical damage.  The basis for many of our rescues, over-extension, not familiar with trails, and inadequate apparel was evident.  But our great team did a wonderful job.  Thanks Mike and Ira, good work.

East Verde/Horton Canyon -- Nine members, along with members of the Yavapai County Dog Teams went to the canyons and hills south of East Verde Estates in an effort to locate possible remains of a male subject missing since June.  Again, this effort, despite the good work of Sgt. Hudgens and the two squads, was fruitless.  His location and the circumstances are still in wonder.  As expected, all signs are gone with little to track.  It is rough country and all did an outstanding job.  In total, 49 man-hours were expended.  Thanks to all that assisted in the search.  You are special people.

Other announcements

Chief Park Ranger Steve Soroka, Tonto Natural Bridge, contacted Mike Taylor with some good information.  He overheard one of the Squad Members comment that they had never been to the Bridge.  He extended an invitation to all members, either singlely or in groups to come to the Bridge for a personal orientation of the Park.  If you want a tour/orientation, advise the gate who you are, and tell them you are a guest of “Steve Soroka”.  He will give you a tour, free of charge.  He expressed his thanks for the assistance from the Squad whenever he needs them.  Steve is a previous member of the Squad so he is aware of what we do.  Our calls to the Bridge are getting more frequent.  Steve is meeting with Rick Heffernon where they will make a map of the Park for all members.  There are numerous trails and this map will increase our ability, response time in the Park and knowledge of the Park. 

 For those unable to attend the last Squad meeting, you missed the one and only “STEVE HOLT” in all of his radiant glory!!!  Steve, we are VERY, VERY GLAD to have you back.  Your lookin’ good Buddy!!, even though we’re not used to the shinny top knot.  Dave Murphy said he would furnish Steve with some Mequires to keep him looking good.  Steve is looking good, and expressed his appreciation to all those members who came by to see him.  He said the Squad is a family and it is.  We’re proud to have Steve as part of our family.  He is hard to beat.  Keep up the moral support for him.  He’s gonna beat this.  How do I know?  He said so!!!! And if you know Steve, if he says he’s going to do something, he does it, one way or another.  Keep it up Steve, we’ve missed you and we are praying for you.

 Speaking of family, let us not forget our continuing prayers for John Avery either.  John progresses after his bout with multiple by-pass surgery and one heck of a cold. (pneumonia actually) We miss you John, and besides, we’re tired of listening to Crimmins and his boring Treasure’s report.  He just lacks the flare of your expert oration!!  We can’t wait for you to be rompin’ and stompin’ again.

 And speaking of rompin’ and stompin’.  That brings to mind of course, John Boyles.  All I can say is he’s getting as mean and cranky as he always is.  Good to have you back in the photographs John.  Keep ‘em coming for good old Boyles too.  And I must say, you got to much flare you old dog!!!!

 Doug Conklin says he is having trouble keeping up with Shirley now.  Keep trying Doug, you’ll catch up with her.  Start doing some jogging, you’ll get into shape.  Good to hear you’re recovering nicely Shirley.  And we have been praying for you too you know.

In our quests, Brothers and Sisters are we.

Bill Daily TR-28