Our one meeting in January featured another fabulous breakfast by
the Gutnecht Team. The celebration of life for Jerry Pearl was a great success for all who attended. We send our thoughts and prayers for Jerry and his family.
Gregg Archer, a story-teller evolved from a Vietnam era Navy fighter pilot who became a Delta captain, was our entertaining featured speaker. Gentlemen fasten your seat belts.
Those of us coming of age in the mid-sixties through early seventies had to confront the potential reality of crawling on our bellies through the quagmire known as the Vietnam jungle. Gregg Archer, a new college graduate, dealt with it by enlisting in the Marines to fly jet planes.
Before completing his enlistment, he learned he would have a better chance for jets in the Navy since most of the Marine pilots were flying helicopters. To be able to take off and land on a carrier, he needed additional training and preparation, which he passed with flying colors.
At this point in his story, we knew we were being addressed by a survivor. To illustrate the importance of situational awareness in three dimensions, Gregg brought his flight gear with him. Imagine learning on your first bombing run that the football-sized hole in your wing and wing fuel tank was caused by an operational error committed by your executive officer. Lessons learned from misfortune punctuated his training. Proficient in all manner of jet-powered aircraft, Greg completed his tour of duty near the end of the war. Western Airlines recruited him and many of his colleagues to fly commercial. To continue the fun of flying military and for the satisfaction of educating up-and-coming young pilots, Gregg re-enlisted in the Navy Reserves, achieving the rank of Captain. Western later became Delta, where Gregg continued flying until his normal retirement.
Going forward, on February 5, James Fullenkamp of Edward Jones Investments will be addressing our changing economy and frustrating stock market. Then on February 19, member Kent Wellbrock will help make us safe with information on emergency preparedness. Both are reputed to be outstanding speakers.
The Men’s Club meets for breakfast with informative speakers twice a month and welcomes new members. For information contact rfsaint@me.com.
—Robert Saint-Aubin, Secretary
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