Last week we were treated to an update on all things Montana Air National Guard by Col. Buel Dickson. Col. Dickson has been with the Air National Guard since 1986, first flying the F-15, then the F-16, and now the C-130s. (He joked that the pace of the lumbering C-130s fits his age well. "I used to worry about flying into geese and damaging the front of the plane. With the C-130s, you worry about them damaging the rear as they pass you.")
In addition to MANG's 8 C-130s, Dickson is responsible for a command force of 125 and some $1 billion dollars in wing assets. MANG's current mission is to provide for aerial delivery everywhere in the world and in the short time since they've converted to C-130s, they've set several records, including 99% mission effectiveness. They've won the outstanding unit award two years in a row.
Currently the C-130s have deployed to 11 countries to fight fires or respond to floods, hurricanes and other disasters. They also participated in the Vigilant Guard exercise, simulating the aftermath of a break in the Canyon Ferry dam and what the consequences would be. They are positioning themselves for an expanded mission in medical evacuations which would bring 152 new positions to MANG.
Cancellations
There will be no noon meeting next week.
There will be no Rotary bulletin next weekend.
Let's Socialize!
Tim Peterson, center stage in this photo from a past Rotary social, has graciously opened his home to all Rotarians this Thursday, May 30, at 5:30 p.m.
We will combine this end-of-the-month social with the second evening meeting this month. Tim assures us that he has a great firepit, so whatever the weather is on Thursday, we will have the warmth of that fire and one another's friendship.
Join us this Thursday at 3405 Fern Drive! See you there!
In June ...
The next noon meeting will be Tuesday, June 4, when Michael Bowman and Michael Burrall will tell us about the 100 years of Meadow Lark Country Club. Plus, the 50-50 pot has grown to at least $216! See you in June at the country club!
Mark your calendars for the June 18 noon meeting. We're a little short of our goal for Polio Plus, so we're having a "shredding" event. Bring any old documents or other paper shreddables to the meeting and we'll shred for those extra bucks!
Milestones
May closes with the birthday of Gregg Holt this Thursday, and June begins with the birthday of Cooper Thomas on June 4. Best wishes to both of you for a delightful celebration!
Weekly Wisdom for Memorial Day
“We come nearest to greatness when we are greatest in humility.”
Rabindranath Tagore
Bob Dole was the Republican leader of the Senate for 14 years and the GOP’s nominee for Vice-President and President during the course of his career. Though unsuccessful in those campaigns, he was widely regarded as a man of integrity and courage, a true statesman. Wounded in war and weakened by age, he was humble enough last year to allow himself to be helped from his wheelchair to salute in final farewell to his fellow senator and veteran John McCain.
Mike Mansfield rose in the ranks of power perhaps higher than any other Montanan. He still holds the record as the longest-serving Senate Majority Leader, where his calm, even-handed approach steadied the nation in the wake of the Kennedy assassination and the Watergate crisis. When Mansfield left the Senate, he serve for many more years as Ambassador to Japan. With his record of service, he might have claimed a distinguished burial site in any number of cemeteries, but he chose to be remembered for his first service to our nation, as a private in the Marine Corps in World War I. His marker in Arlington National Cemetery is indistinguishable from any other private’s there.
Dole. Mansfield. Opposite political parties. Same dedication to country. Both men great in stature … and even greater in humility.
Last week we were treated to an update on all things Montana Air National Guard by Col. Buel Dickson. Col. Dickson has been with the Air National Guard since 1986, first flying the F-15, then the F-16, and now the C-130s. (He joked that the pace of the lumbering C-130s fits his age well. "I used to worry about flying into geese and damaging the front of the plane. With the C-130s, you worry about them damaging the rear as they pass you.")
