I had the opportunity to participate in a couple missions this last month and it felt good to be back among the Squad members in our work-mode. The reasons for us being there were not good, but to be able again to see the Squad function as a unit to accomplish the task at hand was rewarding.

It is fortunate that we have nearly 60 members because everyone is so busy and involved that it is seldom that we get 20 members on scene. But there is always the core group that is totally dedicated and shows up and does us proud. The rest of us do what we can and fill in the gaps, hopefully that will always be and maybe more can be involved over time.

We have many tools available to us to help us grow as a unit and individually, but these tools have absolutely no effect if they are not implemented. The latest that we have added is the new call-out system and the Board is to be commended for implementing that. It had a few bugs at first, as all new things do, but it is now working well and really increases the response time for all members. It got tested thoroughly the first week with three missions in as many days.

Another tool that is not getting used much is our On-Line Forum; there are only about 15 members who have utilized it. This sort of thing can be very effective in communication and education if everyone participates but a total waste of time when it just sets there. I thank Jack Quinn for putting it together and moderating it as well as the others who have agreed to co-moderate some topics. Make a point to go to the members only section of the website and read the posts already there and respond to some of them, you’ll have to sign up to respond but, hey, you signed up with TRSAR, it can’t be that hard to participate in a discussion of what we do.

Remember, being a member of TRSAR is more than just going to the monthly meeting and driving around town with an official license plate on the front bumper.


J. Mike Taylor 502L, Commander Emeritus
 

Don’t forget; the meetings this month are July 11^th for the Board
and July 13^th for the General Meeting.

 

JOANNE TRAVIS 537

Joanne is one of our quiet members who always get the assigned job done. She joined the squad in 2002 and serves as our treasurer. Having Joanne keep the financial records in order is a great asset for the squad. Since Tonto Rim Search and Rescue is a not-for-profit entity operating on donated dollars, we must account for every penny.

A graduate of Culver Stockton in Canton, MO, Joanne comes from the Midwest and is a retired teacher and coach of girls’ sports. She has taken her teams to the National Tournaments. She moved to Arizona in 2001 and has been active with the big Brothers/Big Sisters Organization. Joanne is a recreational hiker with the Payson Packers and is a member of the Arizona Women’s Golf Association. One of her favorite activities is spending time with her great niece who lives here in Arizona, for whom she sets a great example with her community spirit and high standards. Joanne, we really appreciate all your efforts for the squad. Thanks for being available when we need you.

JEB 510L
 

DOUG WOODY 567

One of our newer members, Doug is a displaced Californian, having grown up in La Crescenta. Recently married to Cherri, we want to wish you both a long and happy life together. As a young fellow, Doug was very active in sports, and spent a lot of his time out doors, growing up in the San Gabriel Mountains of California. Having Dad as a Scout Master, he learned survival skills at an early age. His Dad remains his idol and Doug has great respect for his teachings. Doug went to Daytona Beach, Florida at the young age of seventeen and enrolled in the American Motorcycle Institute. The next several years were spent in one of my favorite places, Big Bear, CA. He has one son Tyler now ten years old and has acquired Elizabeth and Joshua with his marriage to Cherri. What a great family.

Doug is very active with his ATV and has received his certification as Man-Tracker.

He attached a personal note which is appropriate to add at this time. “ Jim Martin is a man whom I really wished I had gotten to know better for he reminded me of the one man who was my inspiration all my life, my father, whom I lost to cancer in 2003.”

Yes, Doug, Jim was an inspiration to us all and we miss him also. Welcome to the Squad and may you carry on in your Father’s and Jim’s footsteps by being the best man you can be to your family, the Squad, your community and your Lord. We are proud of your attitude and willingness.

JEB 510L.
 

RUSS VANDERPOOL
PAYSON POSSE, RETIRED

I met Russ on my first big search in Gila County some 18 years ago. This guy is a legend in Gila County Search and Rescue work, when there was a job to be done, Russ was first to step up and say, “I will do it”. Absolutely you could count on Russ being the first to get to the scene and the last to leave. He was so great at getting the coffee made and assisting to set up a command post. He would see that the next meal was ready for the searchers and often hitched up the little cook shack trailer and towed it to the scene and then cooked the meal. For years he had a Jeep and often was the one man “Jeep Posse” for the Sheriff’s office.

Russ would show up at the Squad’s Cowboy Breakfast and spend the whole three hours frying bacon and sausage to help us out. And then stay to help clean up the mess. After all, we were all in the same business—that of saving others.

Russ’s health is an issue now. If you see him out with his wife, Jewell, at the store, be sure to take a moment and say “Hello”. He really enjoys seeing his old Search and Rescue buddies. Thanks, Russ for giving so much to Gila County’s Sheriffs’ Department. You truly set a standard for the volunteers that came to follow.

JEB 510L

 

Tonto Rim SAR Members can now have your very own email address through our site. Just contact our Webmaster at Mail for the TRSAR Webmaster  to arrange for it, no cost to you or us.

We are promoted and you’ll also find our newsletter on the Rim Country Volunteer site;
http://www.inpayson.com/TRSAR-Payson-Rim-Country-Area.htm