Page 6 - DFCS NEWS MAGAZINE 2020-1

President’s Message
Chuck Sweeney
We are going through horrendous times, but being Americans, we will come out stronger than ever before. My heart and prayers go out to those most deeply impacted by this horrible virus and I want everyone to stay safe. This is an extremely difficult situation that impacts all of us but there is light at the end of this very dark tunnel and hopefully we will come out of the tunnel before too long.
We have three members who have reached the young age of 100 despite what the enemy and the world managed to throw at them. These three youngsters are Bob Cardenas, Charles McGee and George Mobbs. It is very interesting that all three are USAF Veterans, so I wonder if the great golf courses at USAF bases or their spectacular clubs have anything to do with their longevity. Each of them have interesting stories in this issue of our DFCS News Magazine, while two of them, Bob Cardenas and Charles McGee have longer, historically significant articles based on Oral History interviews in our book “On Heroic Wings: Stories of the Distinguished Flying Cross.” If you had purchased a copy of the book before the virus hit, you wouldn’t have been so bored while on house restriction. It’s not too late to order one through our website.
This issue also contains two articles about a DFC Memorial project undertaken and completed by the San Diego Lindbergh Chapter. Their significant project is perfect for other Chapters or small groups of members or even a single member to undertake. The Distinguished Flying Cross Memorial can be placed at other VA National Cemeteries or other cemeteries or locations. It took the Chapter longer to weave through the various VA
regulations than expected but that being accomplished, the Memorial is now ready for placement throughout America. Our website has been significantly upgraded recently, thanks to the efforts of several people. It now has online applications and it is waiting for exploration, especially since you have extra time on your hands. One area to explore is the Educators Kit. It is based on the Steve Pisanos Documentary. It has downloadable lesson plans and flyable cut-out models of Steve’s Spitfire are available. This would be really be useful for teachers to use under the current conditions. It is up to you as members to get the information out to the educators about this. It doesn’t do any good just being on the
website if the professionals don’t know it is available.
Another interesting piece in that same area that we would like to push once things eventually get back to normal is
having members talk to both students in classrooms and to other groups of adults. Of course, this program is currently on hold.
We realize that the current environment is not as conducive to recruiting as usual but if you are using your extra time communicating with former squadron members, it never hurts to mention the DFC Society. The one comment that I hear the most when I meet a DFC recipient is “I never knew that the DFC Society existed.” We hope to change that somewhat in the very near future as articles about the new DFC Memorial are being sent to various organizations across the country. You can also help us to publicize this once this edition of our great News Magazine goes to press and comes online by sending links to it to everyone you know. They might not have a DFC themselves but frequently they know someone who does. Thanks, and stay safe.
Chuck Sweeney President/CEO
6 / DFCS News Magazine / SUMMER 2020