July 30, 2002

NEXT MEETING, AUGUST 5… we’ll hear from fellow Rotarian Charles Doty, President and CEO of Lextron Corporation.

LAST MEETING, JULY 29… we heard from the U.S. Navy’s Chief of Naval Air Training, Rear Admiral John E. Boyington, Jr., who’s headquartered in Corpus Christi, Texas. Admiral Boyington literally flew in for our meeting, and addressed us in his two-star flight suit. (His nametag reads Ed “Pappy” Boyington, an inevitable association with the original “Pappy,” of Black Sheep Squadron fame, his cousin and WW2 Medal of Honor Winner.) Admiral Boyington’s command extends from Pensacola to Corpus Christi, and includes Meridian’s Naval Air Station. He’s responsible for training of pilots from the Navy, Marines, and Air Force, and has about 3,000 students in his pipeline. Between 1500 and 1600 graduate each year, and move on into either helicopters, multi-engine aircraft, or strike aircraft. Admiral Boyington’s command flies 780 aircraft of 12 different kinds, and has an annual budget of about $500 million with assets of more than $12 billion. Good news about Meridian, by the way – the Admiral says that it is one of the most modern of all the training bases with good air space around it, and these are major criteria considered by political base-closing movements. The Admiral is particularly proud of the fact that in Afghanistan, his graduates did extremely well, with good results under difficult conditions, and with no losses of aircraft over target. That’s the payoff, he says. Thanks to Don Clark for arranging and introducing this program.

PRESIDENT’S CORNER… a note from President Howard: One of our new members made a suggestion on the questionnaire that I think is deserving of our consideration. He suggested that senior members of the Rotary Club serve as mentors to new members for a period of three months to help them become better acquainted with the membership and the Club in general. I will be sending a letter soon to you to determine if you would be interested in serving as a mentor. Be thinking about it.

YOUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS… has approved the following new member proposal. If no objections are received within 10 days, he will be introduced as a new member:

ONE HUNDRED PERCENT ATTENDANCE… is something we all strive for, and a lot of Rotarians achieve it. Next week, we’ll recognize those of our club who have not missed a meeting (or a makeup) during the past Rotary year. Or, in some instance, a LOT of Rotary years.