Today, we have the distinct honor of having one of our Military Personnel visit, so let’s all give a big welcome to Colonel Glenn B. Swift, of the U.S. Air Force.

Col. Swift is a graduate of Memphis State University, holding a Bachelor’s Degree in Production and Operations Management and was commissioned through Officers Training School in 1986. He attended pilot training at Columbus AFB, Mississippi where he trained as a First Assignment Instructor Pilot in the T-38 Talon. He was first assigned to the 61st Airlift Squadron at Little Rock AFB, and while there he participated in Operations DESERT CALM, SOUTHERN WATCH, PROVIDE COMFORT and PROVIDE PROMISE. Following another operational assignment to Yokota AB, Japan the Swifts moved to Scott AFB, IL, where he served on the HQ AMC Staff in the Standardization/Evaluation Division.

He has had several assignments, since 1986, including Deputy Commander of 332 EOG, Joint Base Balad, Iraq, and is presently Division Chief, Air Mobility Command, Operational Plans. He has been presented with several awards, including Bronze Star (1 OLC), Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (3 OLC), Air Medal (4 OLC) Aerial Achievement Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal (1 OLC) and Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor Device (5 OLC).

Colonel Swift is a command pilot with over 4,300 flying hours, He has over 445 combat hours and 372 combat sorties. He is married to the former Angela Bishop of Union City and they have two children, Taylor, 20 and Hunter, 17.

Next week, we have the pleasure of one of our own returning as speaker, when 8th District Congressman John Tanner takes to the podium.

Congress in in recess during the month of August, and no doubt Congressman Tanner has had a full agenda during this time period. John has represented Tennessee’s 8th District in West and Middle Tennessee since 1989, currently serving on the House Ways and Means Committee, where he chairs the Social Security Subcommittee, and the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Legislators from all NATO member nations elected Tanner in November 2008 to serve as President of the NATO Parliamentary Assemble, the alliance’s legislative branch. He is also co-founder of a group of moderate conservative U.S. House Democrats known as the Blue Dog Coalition.

Tanner’s political career began in 1976, as Tennessee State Representative for the 77th District, a position he held until 1988, when he first ran for the office of the U.S. House of Representatives.

John is a Past President of Union City Rotary and is a Paul Harris Fellow. He also serves as an Elder of the First Christian Church, Disciples of Christ.

Gary then turned a portion of the program to his wife, Leslie. Leslie introduced some slides, showing the results of the progress being made toward the main project she is involved with right now, that being the eradication of polio worldwide. She said in 1985 there were 350,000 new cases a year, covering several countries, in 2009, that figure has been reduced to 2,000 new cases showing up per year and has reduced the number of countries to just 4, being highest in Nigeria, India, Pakistan and Afghanistan. This coming as the result of $200 million dollars from Rotary and $355 million from the Gates Foundation being poured into the project.

Gary ended by explaining that every dollar donated to Rotary, goes toward whatever project it was given for, "there is no portion of it going into someone’s pocket for personal gain", he said.

Aug. 28 - Congressman John Tanner

Sept. 04 - UTM Football Head Coach, Jason Simpson

Sept. 11 - Jacob Cross and Rotary Travel Group-Tentative

Sept. 18 - UCHS Head Football Coach, Darren Bowling - Tentative

Aug. 25 - Jimmy Jones

Aug. 25 - Travis Shumate

Anniversaries

Aug. 21 - Jim and Sue Greer

Aug. 23 - Grover Schleifer, III and Fredricka

Aug. 23 - Dave and Leigh Schlager

Aug. 25 - Travis and Linda Shumate

Aug. 26 - Larry and Rita Buckles

Aug. 26 - Wes and Brandi Creech