Presidents Message for March 2008 Starting off, I want to thank everyone that participated in the society's contribution to the Crowne Plaza's toy drive. The hotel has been collecting toys for nine years, and this was our second year participating. Our contributions were part of the donations made to the Service League of San Mateo County, Children's Fund of San Mateo, YMCA, Peninsula Auxiliary for Children, the Catholic Worker House, "A Very Special Toy Box" (through Junipero Serra High School), Mid Peninsula Housing, and the Lucille Packard Children's Hospital. Again, thank you and we look forward to participating again this December. As this year gets under way, I'd like to encourage everyone to help grow our society. To grow our society we need new members. Currently, we have more than 150 members, and our goal is to bring our membership up to 160 by the end of the year. Whenever possible, please bring a guest to one of our meetings and encourage them to join. I believe your board of directors does an outstanding job at delivering value for your $20! For your $20 annual dues - and that's only $20 per household - you receive five outstanding newsletters, our expanded 48-page summer newsletter, our fantastic website, access to five great meetings with some of the best speakers in aviation, not to mention the society's side tours. And membership makes a great gift, too! Note that there is a membership application in the back of each newsletter, and gift certificates are available from the society secretary by calling (650) 631-4207. And speaking of the best aviation history educational programs, for our next meeting we'll be back at the Crowne Plaza to learn about the Air Force's Big Safari Program. Big Safari has been an on-going Air Force program for more than 50 years, yet very few outside of the service know of its existence. Big Safari provides an acquisition and contracting process outside of standard Air Force channels that enables special projects to be completed when a quick-reaction need arises. Big Safari has been responsible for such unique aircraft as the RC-135, MC and EC-130, U-2M, RB-57F, and the project office controlled the SR-71s for a time. I guarantee you that today there are people in the Air Force that don't know about Big Safari, yet we'll learn about the program from one of its managers and a Vietnam combat veteran. Mark your calendars for Saturday, April 12, 2008! Remember, bring a friend and I'll see you there. - Nick Veronico
Past President Messages are linked below:
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