WELCOME

As of September 30, 2024, Coronado Thunderbird activities are suspended indefinitely. Primary reasons for the suspension are lack of new volunteers for Board positions and the loss of KAFB access for Thunderbird members.

 

John P. Anthes
Outgoing President 2023
Unprecedented 4th Term

FINALLY —

Since the abrupt termination of Coronado Thunderbirds’ KAFB access, many people have been working “behind the scenes” to reinstate KAFB access for Coronado Thunderbirds. DESPITE our continuous and BEST EFFORTS, we are at an impasse. The Final Deadline to resolve our access expires SEPTEMBER 30, 2024.

 “What is the Future of the Coronado Thunderbirds?”
IF NO ONE HAS COME FORWARD TO JOIN THE BOARD BY SEPTEMBER 30, 2024, it is with a heavy heart that the Board and myself are making plans to end the 40-year-history of the Coronado Thunderbirds. Many on the 2024 Board, some filling in from the carry-over 2023 Board, have served for many years. I have personally been honored to serve on the Board for over 10 years. 

We have now recently started discussions with legal counsel on how we shut down the Coronado Thunderbirds retirees club.
Our counsel has determined that since we are not officially a registered corporation, and no auditing of our Treasury is required; the best course of action is dispersal of the treasury funds be donated to an organization the full membership has voted on. The last opportunity to vote will be at the September membership meeting (our final meeting).

  1. The Board has reviewed options.
  2. At the August meeting, we presented four non-profits as possible candidates for dispersal of our available funds.
  3. At the September member meeting, we are collecting YOUR VOTES on the candidate non-profits to receive an allocation of the available funds. 

Remember – please come to the Board Meeting on October 1, 2024, 11AM, at Fiestas New Mexican Restaurant & Cantina, 4400 Carlisle Blvd., NE, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87107, back room.

Best Regards, John Anthes, 2023 Past President, Coronado Thunderbirds (505-370-3438)

The Coronado Thunderbirds is a social club for people retired from Federal Agencies and their Contractors — including Sandia National Labs, Los Alamos National Labs, DOE, NNSA, FAA, and the Military. Our Club monthly activities include our Member Monthly Meeting on the second Tuesday of the month (except December). Our monthly member meetings are currently held in-person at TOMASITA’S RESTAURANT at 4949 Pan American Freeway NE on the west side of I-25 and south of Jefferson Street. You have an option to purchase a $14.50 – $16.50 lunch. We start with social time and lunch (at 11am), followed by a Business Meeting (12 Noon) and the program immediately thereafter. Please note that effective September 30, 2024, Thunderbird activities have been suspended indefinitely as described in other areas of this site.

After our Business Meetings, get ready for a great presentation. Our programs are chosen based on members’ interests in order to inform or entertain. Sometimes, the programs accomplish both!

  • the emergence of telemedicine
  • improving the environment of Albuquerque
  • artificial intelligence
  • beekeeping
  • the impact of Spain on the Revolutionary War
  • singing and choral groups
  • square dancing
  • ballooning in New Mexico
  • the history of Albuquerque
  • railroading in New Mexico, including AT&SF 2926
  • Col. Eric Felt, AFRL and US Space Force
  • the movie, “Hugo,” automaton restoration
  • Old Town Ghost Stories

We distribute a monthly newsletter and occasional updates to keep our members informed of our programs, activities, and KAFB information. The newsletter is sent via email and “snail mail,” and we also maintain contact with a Calling Committee.

We would love to have you be a part of the fun!