4TH ANNIVERSARY BLOG CELEBRATION (CONCLUSION)

To the far right of this photo: Florette Vassall!

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Florette "Flo" Vassall became a dear friend of mine by association. At a memorial service in New York City's Saint Agnus Church in August, 1999 for my dear friend and mentor Marty Shugrue, (CEO of Pan Am, Eastern Airlines and Continental Airlines) a lovely lady named Ruth Estwick introduced herself and we wound up becoming good friends as we sat together during the jam packed service. As it turned out, Ruth's late husband Earl Estwick became one of the first black executives in the airline industry at Pan Am serving as Special Assistant to another late Pan Am CEO, Najeeb Halaby, Father of Jordan's Queen Noor. Today. "The Earl S. Estwick Memorial Fund" helps disadvantaged youth of all backgrounds go to school and achieve their scholastic dreams. After I returned to Texas, Ruth recounted our meeting to her friend Florette Vassall.

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Flo was married to the late ABC Producer Sydney Vassall (a Co-Producer of "Concentration" with host Hugh Downs, and "The Today Show"). Unknown to me, she was seated on the other side of the church during the service I attended! Flo is an Executive Producer, Actress, Fashion Model, and Television personality in the Manhattan area. Our friendship ensued by initially by e-mail, and later telephone before Florette and I finally met in-person a full 7 years later in 2005. Flo had just returned to JFK Airport on a flight from Germany when she discovered that I was attending the 30th Reunion of Pan Am's "Last Flight Out" of Vietnam in Washington. The Reunion was coordinated by former Pan Am executive Al Topping at the Hyatt Hotel in Crystal City, Virginia near the Capitol. Although exhausted, Flo traveled to the event just to meet me, and I finally hugged this great friend! She is also the Founder and Executive Producer of the Annual EVVY Awards for fashion and public service. This foundation is dedicated to supporting the educational pursuit of children as well! Many of you will remember Florette as the grieving Grandmother in the Counting Crowes Video of "Big Yellow Taxi" shown endlessly on MTV!! She is also Host of her own TV program on the Manhattan Neighborhood Network (MNN) and BCAT (Brooklyn Cable Access Network). A lovely lady to interview, I have always wished her friend Barbara Walters of "The View" might invite Flo on as a Guest. (That's just a suggestion Barbara!). Now that I've managed to embarrass Flo, this brings us to our mutual Pan Am friend, Al Topping...

Al Topping, American Hero!

Al Topping was Pan Am's Station Manager in Saigon during the Vietnam War. When it became apparent that the country was falling to North Vietnam Communist troops, Al organized a daring rescue to evacuate Pan Am personnel and their families. In all 426 people were jammed inside a Pan Am Boeing 747 jet aircraft designed to hold 375 people. That aircraft flew into Saigon--literally into a firestorm with an all-volunteer crew of pilots and flight attendants who risked their lives. Later, Al received many commendations from Washington, Pan Am and many other agencies for his heroism in saving so many lives. He remained with Pan Am to the end serving only two weeks in his newly promoted position as Vice President of Corporate Communications. And it was Al who worked a dreadful shift at Miami International Airport the night of Pan Am's unfortunate shut down. An NBC Television movie was made in 1990 featuring James Earl Jones as Al Topping and the late Dr. Hang S. Ngor, M.D. ("The Killing Fields") and the late Richard Crenna retelling Al's story. In 2005, Al organized a reunion of all Pan Am personnel, and many of the orphaned South Vietnamese family's who were on the Boeing 747 evacuation flight. I interviewed Al Topping in Airways magazine then here on "THE INTERVIEW". Al is also board member and Director of both The Pan Am Historical Foundation and Miami AWARE (an acronym for "Airmen Worried About Remaining Employed"), the latter is a non-profit organization established in 1973. Al is a wonderful friend and a true American Hero! Next up is author Kathryn "Kat" Magendie.

Kat Magendie, Author

I've been so fortunate to meet in-person Bloggers Deni Bonet of New York, Bud Buckley of Venice, Florida, Andy Martello of Las Vegas, Nevada, Tricia Weight of Atlanta, Georgia and Kathryn Magendie whom everyone calls "Kat". She lives high in the mountains of North Carolina where she works as a full-time author (and is she GREAT!). Her Blog, "Howl On My Mountain" is charming and filled with wonderful essays, poems and short stories. She has inspired and mentored many up and coming writers and I am proud to call her my dear friend. Kat's writing is so rich in texture that anything she composes is literally "hard to put down" once you begin reading it! The serenity of living with her husband "Good Man Roger" (a fine actor and voiceover artist) in the mountains of North Carolina has added immeasurably to her works. Her site is listed on my Blogroll. So, go over and have a look around Kat's Mountain!

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Colonel Frank Borman, ex-NASA Astronaut & Airline Executive

Colonel Frank Borman, Commander Gemini IV and Apollo 8, and former Chairman, President and CEO of Eastern Airlines, Inc.

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Colonel Frank Borman is an American Legend. Born in Gary, Indiana on March 14, 1928 his family later moved to Tucson, Arizona. A romance with airplanes at the age of 15 led to a career as an Air Force officer from 1950 to 1970. During that period, Borman earned his Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Science and Aeronautical Engineering, and worked as a test pilot and an Assistant Professor of Thermodynamics and Fluid Mechanics at West Point Military Academy. He was tapped by NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) during the Administration of President Kennedy to help pilot the then-fledgling space exploration program. In 1965, Borman served as Commander of Gemini 7--the first-ever space rendevoux with Gemini 6A. Two years later, his leadership proved invaluable as one of the investigative team members of the tragic Apollo 1 launch pad fire that killed fellow astronauts Virgil "Gus" Grissom, Roger Chaffee, and Ed White. Frank Borman eventually helped lead the team responsible for the exhaustive redesign of the Apollo spacecraft and its safety systems. On Christmas Eve, 1968 Borman made history as the Commander of Apollo 8--the first manned lunar orbital mission. The television broadcast from Apollo 8's spacecraft hear throughout the world that night saw Borman and his colleagues Bill Lovell and Jim Anders alternately reading from the Book of Genesis in an emotional "Good Night" to "the people of the Good Earth". I still weep along with images of managers in NASA's Mission Control Center overcome with emotion as well! This man is as the late Marty Shugrue once told me "a genuine American Hero" and I second that!

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It was my deep Honor to be chosen as the first American journalist to be granted an interview with Colonel Borman in 16 years! He told me flat out "I read your letter and decided that you were the man to do it". The tapes of this interview, along with a separate interview I conducted with another great American, Martin R. Shugrue, Jr. is housed at The Smithsonian Museum's Permanent Oral Lecture Series , Division of Flight in Washington, D.C. In a twist of fate, Marty helped organize the Air to Sea Rescue of Apollo 8 in 1968 as a Naval Commander. Four years after Frank retired from his role at Eastern Airlines following the sale of Eastern to Texas Air Corporation, Marty Shugrue was appointed Trustee to replace TXI's senior manager, Frank Lorenzo. Marty joked to Frank: "Colonel, if I knew then what I know now I just might have left you in that damn ocean!" This was a joke and it did not concern Frank Borman as much as it did the events at Eastern after Frank retired and both men were true friends.

Andy Martello, Comedian, Las Vegas, Nevada

Andy Martello has been a Comedian with 23 years of experience who does stand-up, swallows fire, juggles bowling balls and spins plates. He’s a Featured Entertainer at State Fairs, Corporate Events, and Schools. Most recently, Andy appeared in a national TV commercial against cigarette smoking. Andy drove his car for over an hour to meet me at The House of Blues in downtown Chicago, where he lived at the time. He graduated from The Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Clown College in Venice, Florida. I first heard about Andy while visiting Singer/Songwriter Bud Buckley in Venice, Florida. Bud and his wife Cathy met Andy in Chicago and I was so captivated by how funny this guy sounded that I made a note in my Calendar Book to check out Andy Martello’s website. After contacting Andy, I discovered we had some things in common. We both love Comedy and Music. We are huge fans of Grand Funk Railroad. And we have both trained in Improvisational Comedy (I appeared in Columbus, Ohio with an ensemble cast). Plus we enjoy helping others who have far too much “reality” in their lives to take time out to decompress. Andy is an extraordinary friend who now resides in Las Vegas. Watch for this rising star! Next up...Sondra Harris...

Author

Sondra Harris aka "Golfwidow" from the Award-Winning Blog Golfwidow's Ministry of Silly Walks was among the first bloggers I ever encountered. If there exists a person with a more wicked sense of humor and sharp wit covering subjects from people, music, fashion, history, science, beers, morons, present day human behavior and otherwise unscripted fun that seems to happen wherever they go, then that person sadly remains undiscovered. Funny enough, Golfwidows Ministry of Silly Walks from its very title led me to assume (a dangerous practice--never assume) that she arrived here in the U.S. from a two-story flat conveniently located within a stones throw of 10 Downing Street, where it is easy to conceive Golfwidow throwing open her second story window and shouting something to former Prime Minister Tony Blair as he disembarked from his Limo to begin his day at work. A prospect that would at the very least draw a smile from Tony if not make him fall down laughing on the sidewalk! All kidding aside, Sondra is an exceptionally gifted writer who can take an ordinary thought and turn it into humor that is so side-splitting, you never want your visit to her Blogsite to end! Rest assure, however, because Sondra posts regularly and you can also go there to order a copy of her book as I have! Read it!!!!

Bud Buckley, Singer/Songwriter

Drop by Singer/Songwriter Bud Buckley's blogsite and meet a man who has inspired hundreds of children in New York grade schools who regard this beloved teacher so highly that to this day, they remain in touch with him as adults! Why? Because Bud really has a heart when it comes to living life to the fullest and encouraging others that their dreams can and must come true; Bud not only "talks the talk, he walk's the walk". After he and his lovely wife Cathy--herself a gifted photographer and also a teacher---tired of shoveling snow in New York, they relocated to Venice, Florida. Bud teaches guitar from his new recording studio at home, and is a favorite performer at venues in and around Venice. Recently, his popularity has begun to be all the buzz in the United Kingdom where I strongly suspect British Airways will seize the opportunity to fly Bud in for a performance of his number one CD hit, "Let Me Go". It has remained Number 1 on the music charts and as Bud encourages, "It's never too late" to pick up the guitar and follow ones dreams. What began as a classroom challenge to return to the guitar conditional on his students turning in good grades has become a full time career now for Bud in the music industry. Bud's newest CD is appropriately titled, "it's about time" and features our dear friend--the lovely and totally amazing Electric Violinist/Singer/Songwriter, Deni Bonet (a future Guest whom I can't wait to feature here on--what else?-- "THE INTERVIEW")!

Marty Shugrue, Airline Executive
(1940-1999)

Visionary Airline Executive Martin R. Shugrue, Jr. was bigger than life. When he entered a room, it was with "electrified" with boldness and confidence. When he spoke to you, he looked at you directly in the eye and quickly sized you up. For some reason, he liked me and we became friends from 1990 through his untimely death as a young man in 1999. A brilliant entrepreneur who understood all facets of commercial aviation, Marty earned a BA degree in Economics from the prestigious Providence College. He then became a Naval Aviator and Commander flying the McDonnell Douglas A-4 jet fighter aircraft for 6 years. Following his Honorable Discharge, like many young men, he traveled to New York and joined the prestigious Pan American World Airways where he became both a Flight Engineer and a Pilot on the majestic 4 engine Boeing 707--an aircraft that literally thrust the United States Airline industry into "the jet age". An indefatigable man and a born Leader, Shugrue was furloughed from his Pilot position in the early 1970's as Pan Am's fortunes began to flounder. He turned his circumstances around, however, by joining Pan Am's Management Training Program and he brought to Pan Am the sharp intuition and talent to help fix what was ailing the complicated company and it's mosaic of subsidiaries built by the legendary titan Juan Trippe. Over 20 years, Shugrue ascended Pan Am's bloated infrastructure to become Vice Chairman and Chief Operating Officer. He left Pan Am to assume the helm of Continental Airlines before he was appointed as Trustee of Eastern Airlines. On July 26, 1990 David Letterman spoofed Marty on his "Top Ten List":

Top 10 Reasons to Fly Eastern

10. Likelihood of getting killed by Eastern plane is same whether you're
in it or not.
9. Endorsed by the Suicide Doctor.
8. No delays because of lengthy pre-flight safety checklists.
7. Pilots point out interesting landmarks when they're not yelling, "Mayday!"
6. If you don't, Marty Shugrue will make more of those stupid commercials.
5. Eastern aircraft always get emergency landing priority.
4. Emotional greetings from loved ones even after the most routine flight.
3. Statistically safer than marrying Jerry Lee Lewis.
2. Passengers encouraged to tinker.
1. Because you're feeling lucky.

At the end of the skit, Letterman looked into the camera lens and said "I love you Marty." Shugrue, who possessed a great sense of humor responded with a letter stating, "I love you too, Dave". The Gulf War simply ended any chance for Eastern's survival despite measurable progress and it ceased operations in 1991. By 1995, the estate was reorganized and Shugrue moved on to his dream of resurrecting Pan Am. It had all of the touches of "Class", just as Marty Shugrue did. He is dearly missed.

At Eastern Airlines Building 16, Miami, Florida

Coincidentally, this venue is where Alison Kraus + Union Station recorded her 2002 Double Live CD--at The Palace Theater in Louisville, Kentucky.

David M. Bailey, Singer/Songwriter
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In late January of 2007, I snuck into an Oncology Awards dinner with the full knowledge of my dear friend David M. Bailey and for the first time we actually shook hands and met after his concert. David has been featured on national television programs including CBS' "60 Minutes", and his neurosurgeon is the same physician who recently operated on Senator Edward Kennedy. My very first Guest on "THE INTERVIEW", Keri Kennedy is responsible for introducing David to me and of course, I was tremendously humbled when David accepted an invitation to be interviewed here on my website. David's story is one of remarkable resolve to embrace the Good Lord, abandon the corporate world and pick up his guitar at the suggestion of his wife after a fatal diagnosis with cancer was beaten back. Today, David tours worldwide with his acoustic guitar, his mellow and peaceful nature and his message of Faith, world peace and living in the moment right here/right now as we help one another. I cherish David's friendship and you can follow David's tour schedule on my Blogroll!

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Hon. Denny Shane, Federal Judge, Entrepreneur, Renaissance Man!

I call my this man "Denny". But The White House regards him as The Honorable Judge Denny Shane. From paper boy, to becoming a lawyer and a Philadelphia Federal Judge, Denny has met every President from John. F. Kennedy to Ronald Reagan and had a warm personal friendship with President Richard Nixon. The latter revealed a side of President Nixon few of us ever knew. He was compassionate and his BLOG: "My Anything But Normal Life" ran from the sublime to the ridiculous in comedic proportions. From hysterical pranks in the military service, to Denny's relationship by mail with a Russian woman known to all of us as "Olga". We were treated to his enjoyment of the television show, "Dancing with the Stars" (and his subsequent crush over Playboy Playmate Kelly Monaco) to his posts about every political idiot, stupid law or some talentless person reaping millions. From an artistic fascination ranging from Modigliani, Mario Lanza, Stonehenge and his comedic adventures visiting The Vatican to a video Denny posted that my own mother remembers: Denny's young daughter performing a Mexican dance on stage. He is something else! His wit, his heart and common sense is funny and refreshing. A massive stroke has--for now--sidelined this man who is a friend to thousands of us. I know that medicine is always developing new inroads, and I pray that one day this will allow Denny to return to his beloved Blogging.

My First Guest on "THE INTERVIEW"
Keri Kennedy, Cancer Philanthropist

In 2001, Keri's husband Keith undertook medical tests for serious neurological symptoms. In April of that year two MRI's revealed a brain tumor that was surgically removed from Keith's right temporal lobe. As Keith recovered at home, Keri heard about the "Relay For Life" taking place in her hometown and thought it would be very life affirming to become involved. This has played an enormous role in Keri's life as a devoted volunteer and a tireless fund raiser for cancer patients. "That's how we got started", said Keri. "You have to watch out for that Relay For Life fever, though It's pretty addicting. The celebration of hope atmosphere can get under your skin and make you want to hold on to that". It was through the generosity of Keri's networking that I was introduced to Singer/Songwiter David M. Bailey. In my next post, I'll share some of the people on my "Wish List" for "THE INTERVIEW"!

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My Sincere Thanks to all of my past Guests and to all of you for reading this Anniversary look back on my feature,
"THE INTERVIEW".
-----Michael