On September 22nd, the Gator Detachment met as usual.  We had a guest speaker, Stephen Dodd, who read a very touching piece about the American Flag.  Stephen also joined us as an Associate Member (served in the Army) and is active in the veteran community.  The recipient of three Bronze Stars and two Purple Hearts, we welcome Stephen to our group.

It was good to see our members doing business.  Commandant Jim Yakubsin ran the meeting with his officers - Senior Vice Vernon Kisling, Junior Vice Bob Gasche, Judge Advocate John Murdoch, Sergeant At Arms Bill Beck and Adjutant/Paymaster Martha Brown. Also attending was Junior Past Commandant Dick Lester, members Forest Hope, Sandy Golden, Paul Clendenning, Stephan Homewood, Ken Beasock, David Nettles, George Gibbs and yours truly, Scott DuPree.  

These people were glad to be at the meeting.  Everyone chatted it up before the meeting while enjoying a potluck dinner.  During the meeting, the mood remained light and everyone seemed to have a good time discussing the items that Commandant Yakubsin was bringing up.  In discussion it came up that next month, Stephen Dodd is taking 90-year-old Iwo Jima Veteran Bob Gasche skydiving!!  Yes, I said skydiving.  OMG!  I mean, Ooh-Rah!  Go get 'em, Bob.  During the meeting we also voted in two other new members and spent a good bit of time talking about details of the upcoming birthday ball. 

Well, if you have not been coming to the meetings, put it on your calendar and come join us.  You'll be glad you did.