September 2008 President's Corner

Mitch Rowland '71, USNAAA Atlanta Chapter President

It’s still officially summer, but when football starts, here in the South, we consider it fall. And the football season has started! Navy started out with a wonderful victory, but came up short in week two. Meanwhile, Navy’s former coach, Coach Paul Johnson, has started fast at Georgia Tech. He’s won two, including a big win against Boston College. He may have left Navy, but here in Georgia, we still like him.

Our August meeting was our regular third Friday of the month at the regular Sheraton Suits Galleria at the regular time. And we had a lot of regular attendees there, but some new faces that we hope will become regular attendees. Those in attendance were: Paul Borer ‘70, Jerry Mackey ‘54 with his beautiful bride Connie, John Stark ‘51, Ed Flynn ‘51 with his equally beautiful bride Sherrie, Reggie Vachon ‘58 with his beautiful bride Marie and his stunning daughter Mary, Jim Todd ‘55, Mark Lethbridge ‘80, Rick Lopez ‘79 and his beautiful bride Sheila, Doug Fuge ‘64, Ray Welch guest, Alex Cobble ‘76, Bill Holmes ‘64, Steve Frederick ‘72, Clint Johnson ‘60, Dick Borowiec ‘68, Steve Weise ‘72, Bill Williams ‘65, Jon Barton ‘66, Jim Slemenda ‘66 and Mario Maddox ‘85.

Our speaker in August was Roland Haas. Roland published a book in 2007 titled "Enter the Past Tense, My Secret Life as a CIA Assassin." Several of our members had already bought and read his book. Mr. Haas signed copies of his book after his talk.

I think it would be an understatement to say that everyone in attendance was enthralled by Mr. Haas. Reggie Vachon’s wife and daughter had read the book and came to meet the author. I think that says a lot about the book.

I will admit to having not read the book, but it is next on my list. It may be a while, the college history book I’m reading right now is taking a lot of time to finish.

Our meeting this month is on September 19. It’s at the regular place and the regular time. Hopefully we’ll get some more non-regular attendees who will become the same old regular attendees

Our speaker in Sept is Jack Stiles. Jack joined the Army Air Corps in 1945 and was discharged in 1946. After getting his degree from the University of Louisville in 1950, he used his new found intelligence and joined the Naval Aviation Cadet Program. He earned his Wings of Gold and was assigned to VF-781 on the USS Oriskany and flew missions in the Korean War.

After completing his Navy commitment, he responded to an ad for pilots to fly in Asia, He joined the Civil Air Transport, a company owned by the CIA. Jack was later transferred to Air America and remained with this company until 1973.

Mr. Stiles moved to Georgia and operated a business for sixteen years. He now is a full time volunteer for Source of Light - East Africa. He works in Kenya and Ethiopia with churches, students and prisons. He will be returning to East Africa later this fall and is looking for volunteers, especially doctors, who would be willing to give their time to a very worthwhile project.

BEAT ARMY!

Mitch Rowland ’71
Chapter President