Scattergunning
The Reno LE Retirees Get Together
By Jerry Smith

Wow! From Alaska to Arizona they came, from Connecticut to California and yes even from Minnesota and Texas they came to Reno. Why? For only one reason, to enjoy the Camaraderie of old friends and to rekindle that hidden spirit that led us through all the good times and the bad ones of years gone by.

I can’t imagine any other way one could receive a higher ‘high’ than at one of these get togethers. While we are all a little grayer on the top, and many need some type of assistance to get around, all in attendance spoke from a warm heart about each other as well as their overwhelming love of the ‘Perfect Career’, protecting this nations wildlife resources. \

Who could not be deeply moved to hear Ralph Von Dane remark, upon seeing Vern Broyles, “The last time I saw you was in 1974, in northern Alberta ”banding ducks." Or to hear Chuck Graham talk about when he first joined the Fish and Wildlife Service in 1952 as a boat mate in the Territory of Alaska. To say a good time was had by all is an understatement. You simply must experience the enjoyment of a get together to begin to realize the importance in having this forum in which to meet.

Wondering whatever happened to Bill Frazier, Wayne Sanders and Bob Wright? Answers below.

Retired Agent Credentials: As reported here last year retired agent credentials are a done deal. However, several retired agents at the Reno Get Together had never seen what they actually look like. Most of us remember that the Fish and Wildlife normally did things on the ‘cheap’, nothing was ever too good for its agents, just as long as it was cheap.

Well there is nothing cheap about the retired agent badge and credentials. They are indeed first class and having them is an honor. So, if you are still riding the fence about ordering a set of retired agent credentials, jump off and get them ordered. You and your family will not be disappointed. Contact me if you need an application.

First Timers: A whole bunch of folks came out to the Reno Get Together that had not been to one before. Dick and Joanne Branzell, Jerry and Ruth Cegelske, Marshall Dillion, Dave and Carol Duncan, Chuck Graham, Wes and Vivian Moholt, Rich Moulton, Larry Owens, Scott Pearson, Dave Purinton, Terry Jorgensen and Gene Wilson. They all seemed to enjoy themselves and many said they would make it to next years Get Together.

Notes from Bob Slattery: As I think back on previous years of laid-back law enforcement get togethers, I feel blessed. I think the organizers of these events have been pleased at the turn out. This takes a definite commitment on the Agents and family’s part.

I have discovered in advancing age that we tend to become cautious, sedentary and above all bored. One indication of boredom, despite our better halves’ warning that it will rot our brain, is we watch too much TV. Back in the old days, we stayed in four dollar a night rooms with a working buddy trying to live on $12 bucks a day. TV in the room was a rare thing. Besides late to bed and early to rise did not leave much time for it anyhow. Then, boredom was not in our vocabulary.

Let’s get out there and do something. Have a new adventure; don’t let the threat of failure deter us. My favorite definition of adventure is ‘True Adventure requires an uncertain outcome”. So come next Spring, have a true adventure and show up in Minnesota and reminisce, tell lies, have a few cool ones and stay off the back page of the list of Retirees.

PS: The outcome there will not be uncertain; you will have a great time!

Reno Thoughts by Bob Wright: During introductions it was discovered that 1962 was a lucky year for the Fish and Wildlife Service. A surprising number of agents at the reunion were hired that year.
A common thread in comments from the agents was the agreement that they had enjoyed the very best possible job. After retirement they didn’t ‘kick back’ but went onto a wide variety of employment and volunteerism that still keeps them busy today.

While circling the Hospitality Room at Harrah’s, the following conversations were heard:
- Bill Hawes telling stories of hosting Pearl Harbor survivors (he is one too) at his ranch.
- Dick Gritman and Jerry Smith planning a rafting trip through the Grand Canyon.
- Marshall Dillion lamenting about having to spend an additional three years in paradise (Hawaii) because the FWS couldn’t afford to move him home to Idaho upon his retirement.
- The Agent-pilots of the crew telling hair-raising stories that occurred during their careers.
- Gene Wilson telling all who would listen how much he enjoyed his first get together.

One of the pleasant side effects of a get together is the opportunity the wives have to get to know each other. Through the years they met agents from all over the country (and fed them) but didn’t always have the chance to know their wives.

Editors note: Spouses are and always have been an integral part of the get togethers, just as they were in the lives of the agents during their working years. Without them we would not have been able to do the job as well as we did. JSS

Round and About: During the introduction of attendees and them telling a little about their careers we heard some extremely interesting tidbits. We learned that Lynn Greenwalt started his career on a ‘chain gang’ doing survey work on a National Wildlife Refuge in 1947. Lynn went on to bigger and better things, he was a Regional Supervisor of Law Enforcement in Portland before he was named Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. In my book, as well as many others, he was the best Director the Service ever had.

We also learned that Chuck Graham begin his career in Alaska in 1952. He moved his family to Harlingen, Texas after Alaska became a State and even before his wife learned how to drive a car.

We learned that Vern Broyles has been making and selling fishing lures and jigs since his retirement in 1982. He also is working weekends during the summer for BLM doing patrol and inspection work for them.

Nando Mauldin brought in one of his pistols in which he has installed his invention, an easy to use, and childproof safety which installs into the trigger guard of your weapon. Really great.

New Book: Just received information concerning a book that will be released in April 2006. This one is by one of the Service’s first female field agents, Cindy Schroeder. Cindy’s career took off once she became a field agent in the Carolinas in the mid 70's, working for SAC Willie Parker. She ended her career working for Special Operations. The book covers her participation in a 1992 undercover case in the Brooks Range of Alaska. The title is “Hunting for Justice”(subtitle, Good Girl Catches Bad Guys). Knowing Cindy, this should be a good one, look for it in April.

Hats and Badges: We had miniature Agent Badges (lapel type) available for all retired agents that had not already received one. Also, we had 6 or 7 baseball type caps with the Special Agent insignia on the front. We had a drawing to see who got one of those jewels. The caps are harder and harder to come by, but maybe next year we will have a few more to give away to some lucky folks.

ANSWERS: Bill Frazier retired in 1983 but did not stop running and investigating just because he was no longer getting paid. Bill began studying fish traps in the State of Georgia. For 15 years he used his interest and expertise in Archaeology to locate, photograph and document fish traps. In 2004 his work finally was recognized by the Society for Georgia Archaeology. Bill’s paper, Georgia’s Fish Trap Dams was published in Volume 32, No 1. in June 2004. A good read, keep up the good work Bill.

Wayne Sanders retired in 1982 and moved from his SAC job in Boston to a more relaxed and comfortable local in Jeff City, Missouri. He had certainly earned his rest and relaxation in his outstanding career with the Service. However, unbeknownst to most of us, Wayne had a passion for, of all things marbles. He started buying, selling and trading marbles of all kinds, gaining expertise in the field with every transaction. Today Wayne is one heck of a marble man, very much an expert, with outstanding knowledge of marbles and there value. So, if you have any old marbles laying around the house and need to know something about them, give Wayne a call.

Since retiring in 1986 Bob Wright has been quite busy. Never one to let grass grow under his feet, he spent time doing depredations work (something we all learned quite well while working). When not chasing wildlife for a living, he took on the job as an actor (again something we had to learn to do our job) and played the part of the old miner around that famous Arizona mine. Most recently he and the boss (Ann) have been volunteering along the coast of Oregon. They take care of a light house for the summer tourist months; again using the jack-of-all-trades lessons learned during the almost 30 years spent protecting our Wildlife Resources. Heck, he even does flora, fauna and historical programs for the State of Arizona. What will Bob do next? Not even Bob knows for sure!

Tribute: During 2004 we lost nine fellow agents and two loving spouses. Lou Miller from Georgia died in May; Fred Kreller from Idaho and Chuck Kniffin from Florida died in June; Joe Matlock from Texas and Al Weinrich from California died in July; Parker Smith from Georgia and Ray Trembley from Alaska died in August; Bill Reynolds from Texas died in September and Ed Nichols from Missouri died in December. Also passing during the year was Case Vendel's wife Kathy and Ralph Von Dane's wife Joanne. All were remembered by the participants at the get together. They will be missed.

Next LE Get Together: The 2006 edition of the Law Enforcement Get Together will be held in Minneapolis, Minnesota during the last part of April or the first part of May 2006. This is in keeping with our goal of having these events in various parts of the Country so that some folks from that immediate area will not have to travel far in order to attend. We also hope to attract new attendees, so they too will be able to come and enjoy each other and reminisce with those who have walked the walk and talked the talk of an Agent of the US Fish and Wildlife Service.

Reno Attendees
May 3 - 6, 2005

Richard and Joanne Branzell - Nevada
Verne and Paulette Broyles - Wyoming
Jerry and Ruth Cegelske - Alaska
Lucy and Arlo Christianson - Missouri
Marshall Dillion and Daughter Cheryl -Idaho
Dave and Carol Duncan - Minnesota
Charles Graham and Daughter Marla - California
Lynn and Judith Greenwalt - Maryland
Dick and Pat Gritman - Washington
Bill Hawes - Oklahoma
Violet Hendrickson - California
Terry Jorgensen - California
Bud Lowery - Oregon
Duane and Janet Luchtel - Missouri
Nando and Roberta Mauldin - Oregon
Wes and Vivian Moholt - Oregon
Rich Moulton - Connecticut
Dorothe Norton - Minnesota
Larry Owens - Arkansas
Scott Pearson - California
Rosie Polzin - Minnesota
Dave Purinton - Minnesota
Jerry and Elaine Smith - Texas
Case Vendel - Kansas
Ralph Von Dane - Tennessee
Jackie Westberg - Minnesota
Larry and Pat Wills - Oregon
Gene Wilson - California
Pat Wisniewski - Michigan
Bob and Ann Wright - Arizona