You don’t have to test positive for the Covid-19 virus to be affected by it’s presence. If you are breathing today, then you probably know what I am talking about. It has had a tremendous impact on the way we behave in our communities. The imposition of ‘social distancing’ and state and federal mandates as to personal movement has generated a lot of concern and fear. We don’t really know how this will play out, but we can be optimistic for our future and the resolve of the American people to persevere.
We were greatly disappointed that we weren’t able to ‘live stream’ the remembrance ceremony, led by the Pensacola Council of the Navy League and planned for the Veterans Memorial Park on March 14. Mayor Grover Robinson wanted to help provide closure for the community through a remembrance of the victims of terror at NAS Pensacola in December. Unfortunately, due to the rapidly changing climate of the Corona Virus protocols, the event was not held. I hope this will be revisited in the not too distant future.
On a more positive note, we were able to attend the, appropriately, last official event at the National Museum of Naval Aviation before it was closed indefinitely. It was a dinner celebration for the museum volunteers. You may not be aware of the nearly 300 people that volunteer their time to help at the museum on a daily basis. These folks are critical to the daily operation and many of them are legends. It was an opportunity to acknowledge the thousands of hours of volunteer work provided by these unselfish men and women.
When we do get past this unprecedented disruption to all of our lives I hope you will quickly return to the more normal daily activities which should include trips to the National Naval Aviation Museum and attending remembrances honoring our brave warriors.
CAPT Sterling Gilliam addressing the National Naval Aviation Museum volunteers.