Page 4 - Sojourner Newsletter- SUMMER 2022 -FINAL

4 THE SOJOURNER

NATIONAL COMMANDER’S MESSAGE

I want to thank our Heroes of ’76 for electing me to be your Centennial
National Commander. Lady Carol and I will work very hard to earn your trust
and respect this coming year. We plan to attend all the Area Encampments we
know of and look forward to meeting each of you. We are very excited to be
celebrating the 100 Year Anniversary of our Heroes of ’76 Order. There are
many exciting events and celebrations planned for the coming year and I
encourage each of you to look at the Centennial Tool Kit on the National
Sojourners website (www.nationalsojourners.org) and become thoroughly
familiar with all that is available there. We will also be visiting our National
Sojourners’ Founding Fathers grave sites to lay a wreath of respect for Brothers
Van Deventer, Flournoy, Jones and Atwater. The ceremony information is on
the website as well. Our Theme this year is to “Honor our Founders, Renew
Ourselves” by taking advantage of these wonderful events and to serve our
parent Order, National Sojourners, Inc. My moto is, “Heroes Foster Patriotism
Through Service”. We are the public face of the National Sojourners and this
Centennial Year is the time to shine. I challenge each of you to get into our Masonic organizations and put on
one or more of our wonderful programs as a special effort. That will go a long way to making you a Centennial
Hero, your Camp a Centennial Camp, and your Chapter a Centennial Chapter. Get the word out and lets have a
real fun year.

Sincerely and Fraternally
Randy Geck, National Commander

NATIONAL COMMANDER BIOGRAPHY

Lt Col Randolph F. Geck, U.S.A.F., National Commander #93 2022-23

Personal: Randy was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico on 19 June 1948 to Charles and Nettie Fay Geck as the youngest of two
children. Randy’s Father was a Col in the New Mexico Army National Guard and inspired him to follow a military career. Randy graduated
from New Mexico Military Institute (NMMI) in 1966. He entered the Air Force as an Enlisted Member in 1967, in support of the Viet Nam
War. Randy married Carol (West) and left the Air Force in 1970 to pursue his college education. Randy & Carol returned to New Mexico
State University (NMSU) where she received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Education and Randy received his in Computer Systems
Analysis. While at NMSU, Randy completed his R.O.T.C. education, including the required Flight Instruction Program (FIP), received his
nd
commission as a 2 LT in the US Air Force and was accepted into Undergraduate Pilot Training at Reece AFB, Lubbock TX.

Military Career: After commissioning at NMSU, Randy served another 26 years on active duty (30 altogether).
Reese AFB, TX—1974-75: Student Pilot. Lt Geck flew the T-37 (Introductory Jet), and T-38 (Advanced Jet), and received his pilot
wings.
Holloman AFB, NM—1975-75: Fighter Lead-in Training. Lt Geck transitioned into the F-5 Tiger Shark fighter to prepare for Advanced
Fighter Training.
th
Homestead AFB, FL—1975-75: F-4 Phantom Pilot. Lt Geck flew the F-4E Phantom Fighter Aircraft with the 309 Tactical Fighter
Squadron.
st
st
Langley AFB, VA—1975-79: 1 Fighter Wing & TAC HQ. Lt Geck transitioned to the 1 Fighter Wing and because of the close of the
Viet Nam War was selected to support the Tactical Air Command HQ in their computer arena and HQ Security.
Pentagon, Washington, D.C.—1979-80: Education with Industry. Capt. Geck joined the Federal Computer Performance & Simulation
Center Consultation Team to provide a year-long critical review of FAA Operation in the Oklahoma Regional Center.
Ottawa CN, — 1980-84: Officer Exchange Program Canadian National Defense Headquarters, Capt. Geck accepted diplomatic duty in
Canada at their National Defence HQ.
Norton AFB, CA— 1984-86: Air Force Inspector General. Capt. Geck was selected to tour with and provide major Facility and Base
Exercise Inspections around the country and the world on behalf of the AF Inspector General.
Offutt AFB, NE—1986-90: Director of Security, HQ Strategic Air Command (SAC). Maj Geck led the team that provided security
oversight for all SAC bomber and missile bases. Major Geck was selected for promotion to Lt Col.
Ramstein AB, GE – 1990-93: Allied Forces Central Europe, NATO Communication Branch Chief. Major Geck led a multi-national
team of professional communicators providing advanced backbone communication for NATO nations from Norway to Turkey. His team