SIR is a non-profit organization of active men from all walks of life including business, science, engineering, medicine and education. At Br 32 our sole purpose is to bring together individuals with common backgrounds and interests to participate in well organized and well run indoor and outdoor activities and special events. Participating in these activities and events lead to strong social bonds amongst our members.
We have no dues and we do not do fund raising. We are not political or religious. Most of us joined because we needed new ways to be involved in society prior to or after retirement, and found in SIR new contacts and friends that share our interests. Wives love that we have joined.
Currently our branch has 155 members from all areas of the valley. We meet for lunch on the third Wednesday of each month. The lunch is at the Three Flames on Meridian in San Jose. It consists of a social hour, some reporting, lunch and a speaker for about 45 minutes. Past speakers have been a trust/estate attorney, world renowned photographer, San Jose Police Department helicopter pilot, armed forces veterans etc. The speakers are a major draw for our members in addition to member participation in our activities.
We have multiple activities reflecting the interests of the organization. Our activities include: Golf, Pool, Hiking, Bocce, Cards, Biking, Wine Tasting, Travel and more are possible if the interest is there. Many of our activities can include non-members, so wives or partners are able to participate.
We are interested in you, and hope you are interested in joining us. In that regard, you are invited to join us for a free lunch and introductory visit, which we will arrange when we speak with you. To learn more about our BR 32 specifically, or SIR in general, visit the websites
Please contact one of our people for additional information.
Bob Grandey, Recruiting Chairman, 408-439-4521 / bobgrandey@yahoo.com
Larry Hallinan, Director, 408-391-5043 / larogato@comcast.net
Message from Br 32 Big Sir
Tony Mazzucco
April 2024
Fellow SIRS,
Happy April (no Foolin’)! Hopefully you all enjoyed some special family time celebrating Easter last week! Looks like the rain may be finally settling down and our outdoor activities can get back in full swing. The majority of our reservoirs are well over 80% full, and the hills continue to remain a lush green. The spring flowers are in full bloom, and so likely are your allergies!
This month we’re continuing to keep a larger than usual number of our members and their spouses in our thoughts and prayers as they deal with a variety of health issues. We continue to hope that many of them will be back on their feet soon. Unfortunately, it is with great sadness that we learned of the passing of one of our beloved members, Fred Boyce, in late March. Please see the Membership Care section of our newsletter for more details.
We are excited to announce that we have recently approved a new Branch 32 coed activity … Pickle Ball! A special thanks to Dave Smith and Jon Wiseman for stepping up to co-chair this new fun sport for us. They will be playing Monday mornings at the courts at Hayes Mansion in San Jose, starting in mid-April. Come out and give it a try!
Our monthly luncheons continue to very well attended, with 10 new guests at our March luncheon. Several of those guests enjoyed themselves so much that they have decided to join! We’ll have 6 new inductees at our April luncheon. At a recent State SIRS Leadership conference that I attended with our Little SIR, Wes Howard, our Branch 32 was highlighted as one of the more successfully growing branches in the state! Again, a big thanks to all of you, our current members, who continue to bring friends and relatives to check out all the fun going on with Branch 32!
And, as many of you amateur astronomers already know…there will be a total solar eclipse viewable in the U.S. on April 8th.
For those of us not travelling to the eastern half of the U.S. to be in prime viewing, but rather staying at home here in San Jose, we will experience a partial solar eclipse (approx. 36% obscured) at 11:13 AM. Be sure to wear protective glasses if you plan to look up!
Did you know…the next total solar eclipse that can be seen from the contiguous United States won’t be for another 20 years …on Aug. 23, 2044!
Again, thank you for continuing to make Branch 32 as strong and fun as it can be! Spread the word, and keep inviting your friends (and family)!
If you ever have any questions, suggestions, ideas, or concerns, please feel free to contact me at 408-839-2346.
Thank you,
Tony Mazzucco
BR 32 Big SIR
408-839-2346
SAVE THE DATE – LADIES’ SUMMER PICNIC/BBQ
The date for our Summer Ladies’ Picnic/BBQ has been set. It will be on Wednesday, July 17th, and the cost will be the same as last year at $38 per person. Tickets will go on sale in May. We’ll have the same terrific caterer we’ve had the past few years with a delicious barbeque spread! Hope to see you there!
Leadership Changes at SIR BR 32 for 2024
New Little SIR Wes Howard, new Big SIR Tony Mazzucco, and continuing Secretary Doug Krause. Taking us forward to new experiences and accomplishments.
The above individuals were inducted into Br 32 on 17 April 2024 (l. to r.): Pete Pierron, John Pfahnl, Larry Mangan, Mike Wentling, Brice Soriano, and Matt brothers. Welcome to SIR, gentlemen.
Monthly Speaker for April 2024
U. S. Army LTC (R) Ed Mitchell will be our April speaker.
Topic:
American Policy from Afghanistan to Formosa and the Surprising Results
BIO :
Ed Mitchell was a foster child who later graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Along the way, Ed became an Airborne Infantry Ranger, Guarded the DMZ in Korea, helped prototype the National Missile Defense Command Center, and was the first Space-Ground Combat Analyst in America’s Joint Space Command.
By weaving his real-world experiences from foxhole to space into his counter terrorism thrillers, he became a national award-winning author for best new fiction and an Amazon #1 Bestseller.
The January 25th, 2024 Bicycle Ride Was A Great Ride
The ride was on the beautiful paved Los Gatos Creek Trail.
The 8 riders were Don Soderman, Don Collins, Pete Eppolito, Nick Jize, David Smith, Marvin Zietzke, Frank Jones and Fred Jones.
Don Soderman, Pete Eppolito, Nick Jize and Fred Jones rode standard geared bikes. Don Collins borrowed Fred Hones’ electric bike,
David Smith borrowed a friends electric Bike. They are now interested in purchasing an electric bike. Marvin Zietzke and Frank Jones rode their electric bikes.
It was a great group of men having a memorable day. It was a clear and sunny 60 to 70 degree day. We rode on the beautiful Monterey and Pacific Grove coastal trails and bike lanes.
We rode 9 miles going up stream on the paved Los Gatos Creek Trail past perk ponds, a dog park, past practice fly fishing casting ponds and threw Vasona Lake to Main Street.
We arrived at Willow Street Pizza about 11:30 AM. We shared three medium pizzas while watching our bikes from the patio. We had fun interesting conversations while getting to know each other, while having lunch.
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April 18, 2024
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