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Show FACILITIES' FACTS by Armida Alvarez of Facilities Engineering Directorate The event could very well have been entitled "Goodbye Charlie" or "Oscar Afternoon at WSMR." But it had nothing to do with the movie, by the same title, nor the celluloid make believe industry. Let us get down to the real thing. Friday, May 19 was selected to be an "Oscar" afternoon here at WSMR at a luncheon that was being held at the Officers Open Mess. The one and only honoree, none other than "Charlie," Mr. Charles A. Brink, one of the "founders" of White Sands Missile Range. Attending this memorable luncheon, which could very easily be classified as a gala banquet, were the top celebrities of our Range - the top ranking officials of our organizations, professionals in all fields, lots of familiar faces, and faces that we do not often get to see, all gathered in one place. Just as in "Oscar" night there were quite a number of spicy and humorous speeches with the best wishes for "Charlie" and his wife, Ruth. In addition "Charlie" was presented with about sixteen very-well-thought-of comical mementos by our WSMR top producers (our staff directors), double meaning jokes, and at one instant we even felt like a big lump had lodged in our throats during one farewell speech and had to hold our breaths real hard so as not to let go of a tear or two. Anyway, "Charlie" got the top award for top achievement in his field of engineering, best direction in his work, best performance by a Civil Engineer, supporting role by a WSMR employe, self dedication and innumerable attributes which could not possibly be covered in this article. But what was the coveted award that "Charlie" got? The award was none other than the proof of friendship, comradeship and good will that the people in this Range, between 100 and 125, had come to pay tribute to "Charlie" Brink that cloudy and misty afternoon of May 19, 1972. Now let us say a word about "Charlie." While "Charlie" might have physically left the ranks of WSMR his outstanding personality, pleasant smile and mannerism of making friends will remain with us for a long, long time. Because "Charlie" brought to pass that famous quotation from the Bible, "Sow and you shall reap," and "Charlie" did a lot of sowing here at WSMR. So from all of us at WSMR to you, "Charlie", your wife, Ruth, and all the Brinks, May God Bless, always. In closing I would like to add a brief note. We often have heard it said, especially by people in show biz, "There is not people like show people" '; while I might not disagree, I would like to change it a little bit and say that in my opinion "There are no people like the WSMR people." |