Every enlisted sailor knows about working parties — most would say it’s not the most memorable experience of their Navy careers.
Leave it to the Whidbey Island Retired Chief Petty Officer Association to turn that whole concept on its head.
“We’re here to have fun, and to help out, too,” said retired Master Gunnery Sgt. Ken Kesler. “Yes, we do have working parties — and we actually enjoy them,” he said.
The organization is open not only to retired Navy CPO’s, Kesler said, but to any retired E-7 thru E-9 of the U.S. military, including Coast Guard. The group looks forward to its parties and social gatherings, such as a December holiday potluck, January chili cook-off, and August ribs barbecue, among other events. Community service also ranks high on their agenda.
For those who wonder how a working party can still be a party, beautiful surroundings can make all the difference, says vice president Bud Betz.
“This past spring, we adopted Rasar State Park through the state of Washington’s Adopt-a-Park program,” said Betz. The park, located on the Skagit River, offers a host of enjoyable activities.
Park Ranger Debbie Wyman, referring to their recent volunteer project, posted her “thank you” on the group’s web page. Wyman said park personnel appreciated the group’s reorganization of their lumber shed and planting flowers around the new cabin sites. Possible future projects at Rasar Park include a March/April clean-up to repair the ravages of winter weather, said Betz.
The RCPOA engages in other community and civic outreaches as well. Most notable is the annual Edward L. “Gomer” Jones Memorial Scholarship award given to a deserving high school graduate.
While today’s social media can inspire people to accomplish great things, the RCPOA has sought to do that all along. The group plans to update its own publicity outreach in a number of ways, said Betz.
“Whether by word-of-mouth, social networks, or however, we want to let people know we’re here,” he said. “Come by the CPO club to fill out an application – you don’t have to join the CPO club to join our group.”
The RCPOA meets the third Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m at the CPO club in Oak Harbor.
First-year dues are a modest $6, followed by $5 annually after that.
