Meeting Recap for November 26, 2012
There is a famous line in the movie “Top Gun” in which Kelly McGillis tells Tom Cruise, “You’re not going to be happy unless you’re going Mach 2 with your hair on fire.”
Brian Schul has been there and done that, but Rotary Club of Sacramento’s guest speaker did them in a different order. First his hair was on fire, then he went to Top Gun. The real Top Gun.
Schul, now a motivational speaker and owner of a Marysville art/photo gallery, made his third appearance at RCS Monday, sharing stories and photos of an illustrious flying career.
He was introduced by Chair of the Day and Past President Tim Pinkney, himself a former Top Gun pilot.
Clearly, Schul was happy when flying Mach 2 (and faster) as one of only 93 men ever to pilot an SR71 Blackbird before retiring from the Air Force in 1990.
His breathtaking photo collection included pictures he personally took of the SR71 and from the cockpit of the Blackbird, which he flew for seven years before his retirement at the rank of Major.
Equally breathtaking were his stories about the world’s fastest airplane, which flew at roughly one mile every two seconds (“or faster if needed”) and at altitudes of 85,000 feet and higher.
The Blackbird, now retired from the U.S. fleet, was hand-crafted of titanium to withstand surface temperatures of 900⁰ Fahrenheit and could fly from Sacramento to London in 4 ½ hours.
But the defining moment in his life came 38 years ago when, on his 213th combat, he was shot down over Vietnam and burned so badly in the crash no one expected him to live—including himself.
Schul spent two months in the ICU and endured 15 surgeries in addition to months of agony from the burns and views the experience as his re-birth.
“That’s when I learned the importance of living your passion and following your dream,” said Schul, whose current passions include nature photography and backpacking the Sierras.
It was after surviving the crash and the hospital that Schul wound up at Top Gun—as an instructor. But by then his hair was no longer on fire.
---
RCS helped President Peter Dannenfelser II celebrate his birthday Monday, singing him “Happy Birthday” and sharing in his birthday cake for dessert.
---
Tempering the celebratory mood somewhat was President Peter’s announcement of the passing on of 22-year club member John Stockman on Thanksgiving Day.
---
Diane Schachterle, just returned from a trip to Costa Rica to help distribute 500 wheelchairs on behalf of Rotary, presented President Peter with several banners and a commemorative plaque.
---
Paul Kucharski presented the thought for the day, Dick Osen led the club in singing “My Country Tis of Thee”,Ted White sponsored the pre-meeting wine reception and Past President George Basye was on piano.