FBI FREEBIE - You are invited to a lecture dealing with the question: "The FBI and International Terror: A Diminishing Role for the Bureau?" on 19 February. The speaker will be Dr. RICHARD GID POWERS, an established scholar, prolific author, and panelist on the PBS program "Think Tank with Ben Wattenberg." The lecture is presented by the Humanities Department as part of the Stephen B. Luce Library Lecture Series. Day: Wednesday - Time: 1930 - Place: S&E Lecture Hall - Invited: all.

SOMETHING IS MISSING - Check the college website for 'The President's Progress Report on SUNY Maritime's Expansion.' This excellent, wide-ranging PowerPoint presentation, entitled 'State of the College' covers such issues as enrollment, facilities, regiment, training ship, faculty issues, and leadership training - but seems to give scant attention to the academic program itself, which has traditionally been the strongest of all maritime colleges. [Go to http://www.sunymaritime.edu]

GO FIGURE - While you are at the college website, click on the 'News' link to read about the academic accomplishments of Science Department faculty member, Dr. WILLIAM MASSANO, "SUNY Maritime Professor Published in Prestigious Physics Journal." The journal in question is Physics Letters A, "...a premier journal for physicists that is recognized for its publishing of new and ground-breaking research in a wide range of physics fields." While the subject of Bill's research was beyond the ken of NFFS, it was interesting that he achieved his computational results with his PC instead of a supercomputer. Just another example of Fort Schuyler ingenuity and efficiency.

ANSWER ME THIS - "I may not recall this clearly," recalls DARRELL GARVEY, Class of 1982, "but I believe that the TSES V was used in the early 80's to portray the MORRO CASTLE in a movie (television movie or HBO?) about the disaster. I also believe that cadets may have been used as extras in that piece." [Who knows the answer ?]

RETIREMENT RECIPE - A two page step-by-step guide for naval reservists applying to get retirement credit for those summer training cruises has been prepared by BILL SANCHEZ, Class of 1958. He writes: "I have been asked for some more specifics. So [here] is information which will help those of you wanting to maximize the number of points for your retirement purposes." [Contact rcorson@nyc.rr.com to receive this document by email. It is too long for NFFS.]

NICE ENDING TO A SAGA - Not only did Bill Sanchez get retirement points and pay for his training cruises (see above) but he was most generous in his thanks when he wrote the following to his classmates: "I found out about this cruise credit situation from one of Richard Corson's periodic "News from Fort Schuyler" postings. [NFFS 6:18 item submitted by JOHN INGRAM, Class of 1964.] Richard worked in the Luce Library at the NYSMC and is now retired. Rod Mc Fadden, '75 also helped by informing me of the appropriate gov't. reference to use. I also suggest you try subscribing to Alumni Association's DomeNet site to see what information is being exchanged (there are lots of msgs.). You can subscribe by E-mail by visiting this web site: http://www.fsmaa.org/DomeNet

In appreciation for Richard Corson's help, I am making a financial contribution to the NYSMC. At Richard's suggestion, it will be to the Luce Library for the Robert Gove Memorial Collection . This helps the college library, remember an alumnus of the school who was lost at sea in the sinking of the POET, and adds maritime-related books to the library collection, books which go on cruise every year in the Ship's Library and are enjoyed by cadets. [A generous donation to a great cause - much appreciated and needed.]

ONWARD AND UPWARD - Former faculty member and founding Executive Director of the Maritime Industry Museum at Fort Schuyler, CAPT JEFFREY W. MONROE, has been nominated for membership on the Maritime Security Advisory Committee by U.S. Senator OLYMPIA SNOWE (R-Maine.) According to a press release from her office, "The panel, created as part of the port security legislation Snowe helped write, is designed to advise, consult and recommend ways to improve seaport security and safety. Snowe said she considered Captain Monroe will be an 'ideal candidate' for the advisory panel." Jeff is currently Director of the Department of Ports and Transportation for Portland, Maine [http://www.portofportlandmaine.org.]

WORKING VACATION II - "I would like to point out," writes BRIAN McCLINTOCK, Class of 1993, "that in addition to the two Fort Schuyler engineers sailing as officers/instructors during their vacation for Mass Maritime, you forgot to mention that MATT MAHANNA, Class of 1994, is sailing as the 2nd Mate or Chief Mate for Mass this winter as well."