ASSOCIATE Magazine FBINAA Q1-2024

Historically Speaking... John Simmons THE HISTORIAN'S SPOTLIGHT

FBINAA.ORG | Q1 2024

T his article will make it to your hands (and eyes) in the first part of 2024 so I hope you’ve enjoyed a safe, rewarding and memorable holiday season! The holidays always bring about thoughts of family and friends so it is most appropriate I share with you a story of reunited friends – “NA style!” Last fall’s article mentioned Ed Ross , 79th Session, his many years of service to the Hawaii Chapter (including 25 years as their Secretary/Treasurer!) and his recent attendance at the Hawaii Chapter Retrainer in Honolulu. Soon after the article hit the street I received a won derful email from Pat Carrol , 65th Session and longtime friend of Ed Ross. Sadly, Pat was under the impression that Ed was no longer with us. My article brought him much welcomed news and provided a pathway for him to reach out to Ed, who is 87 years old and enjoying retirement in Honolulu. The two of them soon con nected and surely had much to share. My personal thanks to Pat, who celebrated his 100th birthday back in April, for sharing this wonderful news with me... and, in turn, with all of you! The National Historian is perceived to be the holder of all things historical. Well, I truly wish I had several filing cabinets filled with class photos, class notes and other items of historical relevance, but that isn’t the case. However, armed with the Inter net, the patience of our amazing National Office staff and the in sight of past Historian Cindy Reed I occasionally hit pay dirt. Take, for example, a call I received from Mike Johnson, 129th Session, regarding our beloved yellow bricks. He attended a recent event where someone said everybody in attendance had one thing in common – they all had yellow bricks. Mike said he wanted to jump up and say, “Now wait a minute! I don’t have one!” Physical fitness during Mike’s session was important but nothing as structured as it is today. And there was no Yellow Brick Road! Mike thought it sounded like a good case for the Historian... so he called me. We talked about all kinds of important things but finally focused on the case of the yellow bricks. I reached out to my predecessor, Cindy Reed, and she found an article in the November/December 2015 edition of “The Associate,” entitled, “Making the Best Better: The FBI National Academy FIT Challenge Program ” written by John Van Vorst . The article stated the first yellow bricks were awarded to the 154th Session in 1989. I reported this back to Mike and he expressed his appreciation for my research. He then asked when the firearms qualification program ceased to exist for NA stu dents... (GREAT question but one I’ll need YOUR help answering!) My thanks to Mike for asking the question, to Cindy for pointing me in the right direction and to John for writing his article! I recently received an email from First Vice President Craig Peterson regarding the annual Navy Tailgate event hosted by the Maryland/Delaware Chapter. This year’s event was the 47th annual event for the chapter. It was started by Bob Emory , 129th Session, back in 1976. Bob was in attendance, as were 12 mem bers of the 288th Session (which was in session at the time). Who won, you ask? Well, Navy romped UAB in a 31-6 win. I am personally aware of one other annual event that is com ing up on its 17th anniversary. This one is hosted by graduates of the 226th Session. Members of that session who had an interest in outdoor sports and firearms training agreed to meet annually for some sort of event. And that event became an annual spring hog hunt in the great state of Texas! Session members travel from across the nation to participate in the hunt, share stories of past

deeds and rekindle old friendships. After attending the national conference in Grapevine, Texas, I was invited to attend this invitation-only event... and have been going back ever since! This raises the question – do other chapters or sessions have a long his tory of hosting annual events? Speaking of noteworthy events, I just ran across note from one of 2023’s Chapter Chats. This came from the New York/East ern Canada Chapter who reported a third generation NA gradu ate joining their membership. Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office Lieutenant Chris Barry , 282nd Session, followed in his dad’s and grandfather’s footsteps. Chris’ dad, retired Suffolk County Detec tive Sergeant Richard Barry , graduated from the 99th Session and Chris’ grandfather, retired Suffolk County Police Commissioner John L. Barry , graduated from the 40th Session! (Thank you to Chapter Historian Joe Gannon for this information.) Do any other chapters have a similar trilogy? Sending wishes for a healthy, productive and amazing 2024 to all! I can be reached at jsimmons@fbinaa.org. Please assist me by providing answers to the below questions – thanks in advance for helping me document our Association’s history! 1. When did mandatory firearms training for NA students stop at Quantico and why? 2. What chapters or sessions host noteworthy annual events that have taken place for over 15 years? 3. Are there other three-generation NA graduate family members besides the Barry trilogy in New York? CORRECTION: Last edition’s article contained a misspelled last name! Duke Atkins is in no way related to Duke Adkins. My apologies, Mr. Atkins!

John Simmons FBINAA Historian

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