In 1981 Capt.s John Jordon, Jerry Sutliff and LeRoy Brown started meeting for lunch once each month. Soon many more Pilots joined them. Then Flight Engineers joined in. Before long many employees from all departments were invited to join the luncheon. Spouses were also invited to attend. Some where along the line they started to call themselves, The Central Florida Buccaneers and chose the 2nd Wednesday of each month for the luncheon.

Although we do not have dues, we always put out a monthly news letter. We rely on donations for the cost of putting out this newsletter. There have been many people in past and present who helped put out this letter. They are LeRoy Brown, Lloyd Proebsting, Phyllis Turner, Sid Trask, Bernie Strauss, Dan Pierce, And Mike Smargiassi. At present John Wentworth is editor of newsletter, with help of Bernie Strauss doing minutes of the luncheon. Mike Smargiassi collects and pays the bills for the newsletter. Sid Task still helps John Wentworth in getting our newsletter to the printer and then mailed out. John is always looking for all the help he can get in putting information into the newsletter. He would appreciate short articles that he can insert into our newsletter. They can be past or present history of former employees. In approximately 2003 the NAL Buccs and the CF Buccs elected to share rescources funding a combined newsletter.

Update to NAL/CF Buccs History 4/22/08

Bernie Strauss was a founding member of the NAL Central Florida Buccaneers. He had been an inspired leader at both NAL and PAA. He was the longstanding Chairman of the Miami Chapter of the Flight Engineers International Association and their Director of Training. Bernie was a staunch advocate of all crew member's rights. Following retirement he transfered his zeal to the NAL CF Buccs. For quite some time he was editor of the newsletter, along with Leroy Brown, and until Bernie died was our official photographer. He initiated and maintained this web site totally on his own. His integrity and professionalism were characteristics many of us aspired to but few achieved. His direction was influential to the history of our organization, molding the NAL Buccs and CF Buccs into what we have today. It has taken three of us to try to pick up Bernie's load. John Wentworth edits and mails the newsletter, Bob Thrasher has taken over the email duties and Steve Mills struggles with this web site.

Bernie flew his last trip West in August 2007. All of us who knew him agree he is one who will truly be missed.

Blue side up, Bernie.