On May 27th, 2002, guest speakers for the luncheon were two French balloonists who returned to Saint John to pay thanks for cities help. Rotary had hosted them in 2000 when they spent the month of August in Saint John waiting for take off on their record breaking trip to cross the Atlantic in a ballon. Leaving Saint John on Aug. 30th, they arrived in NORMANDY, France on Sept. 5th, establishing three flight records: 1/ Longest time - 146 hours and 50 minutes 2/ Highest Altitude - 3000 to 5000 Meters 3/ Longest Distance - Over 4,700 Km in a straight line
Pictured (L-R) are President David; Jim Rogers of Saint John; Christophe Houver and Laurent Lajoye who made the flight; and Rotary Past President & balloonist Doug Shippee.
