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Thursday, 13 November 2008 |
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 Staff photo/Mary Bargdill
Lt. Gen. John L. Hudson, Commander of the Aeronautical Systems Center at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, speaks to Rotarians Wednesday afternoon.
By MARY BARGDILL
Staff Writer
ST. MARYS — Veterans were honored by the St. Marys Rotary Wednesday afternoon during its annual Veterans Day Program.
Lt. Gen. John L. Hudson, Commander of the Aeronautical Systems Center at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, delivered a presentation called Veterans Day: An Airman’s Perspective. Hudson’s presentation included photos of the World War II Memorial that honors the 450,000 American soldiers who lost their lives. He spoke of the letters left at the memorial by family members thanking them for their sacrifice.
“(It was a) very moving list of things from all of these people that were there,” Hudson said. “We have them to thank. We wouldn’t be here today without them.”
Hudson reviewed military aircraft that was still in the development stages, including the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, a stealth-capable military strike fighter aircraft.
The jet will be utilized by the Marines, Air Force and Navy.
“It will be our newest fighter out there in a few years when it’s ready,” Hudson said. “Nobody else has anything like it out there.”
Hudson also highlighted the uses of the F-22 Raptor, an air superiority fighter capable of ground attack and the Global Hawk, an unmanned craft that has the ability to take pictures and radar imagery.
“Airplanes like this fly unmanned and they do a tremendous job,” Hudson said. “This gives our folks in the Middle East a tremendous edge.”
Currently, approximately 35,000 airmen are serving in the Middle East in support of efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan, Hudson said.
Personnel from Wright-Patterson Air Force Base are deployed all over the world serving in air power, coordination and medical service, Hudson said.
The officer expressed his gratitude for the support given to military personnel and their families.
“Thanks for all that support you gave our military,” Hudson said. “It’s appreciated very much.”
St. Marys Rotary Program Chair Marty Dodrill said he was pleased the general was able to speak to the Rotarians and guests.
“We were extremely excited and honored he would present a program,” Dodrill said.
“It was a great honor that he would come to St. Marys Rotary for Veterans Day.”
The efforts of the local Ohio Army National Guard unit also were acknowledged by Hudson.
“These folks like so many others do a tremendous job over there,” he said.
Staff Sergeant Matt Straley expressed his gratitude that Hudson visited the St. Marys area.
“It’s very good that you can see a general of his stature come down to visit the troops,” he said.
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 19 November 2008 )
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