We had a very enlightening presentation this week from Colonel Jon L. Shumate, Vice Commander, 55th Wing from Offutt Air Force Base. Colonel Shumate is responsible for organizing, training and equipping six groups and 30 squadrons executing worldwide intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; electronic attack; command and control and treaty verification missions. Also included in his list of responsibilities is base support to more than 50 associate units including U.S Strategic Command, 557th Weather Wing and more than 57,000 active-duty members, civilians, family members and retires in the Offutt area. He is also a 4 star General. That is a ton of responsibility!
He started by stating “the sun never sits on the fighting 55th.” meaning their mission is worldwide. There are about 8300 total military, 12,000 at Offutt, 41 planes and an operating budget 157 million. There are 31 squadrons large and small. Offutt has one of the largest security squadrons in the air force as well as their own medical and communications unit. They are the second largest wing in the air force and the largest wing in the combat command.
With a display of various military planes he walked us through their purpose and function. The RC135 is the the premier signals intelligence aircraft of the planet. There are 17 at Offutt and scattered across the world. The RC135 Signal is the most advanced flying signals plane and flies unique missions gathering extremely valuable intelligence with only two in operation. The WC135 can gather radiological data and there are only two of those as well. RC135 Open Skies plane is responsible for overflying specific to monitoring treaty regulations. RC135 Cobra does ballistic gathering and protection only three exist.
Partners include the United State STRATEGIC Command, considered the big muscle, and also 595 Command Control, which supports the STRATEGIC Command. Other mission partners include the 557th Weather Wing, responsible for monitoring weather to make sure there is a good understanding of the weather on the planet. The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, which collects the remains of service members to identify and give closure to, loved ones. The Colonel also mentioned all the stations located around the world. Did you know there have been 30 years of non-stop deployment to the Middle East? He also mentioned the damage of the flooding at Offutt, the new runway being built and the great relationship Offutt has with the community. This was very informative and it always makes me ponder about all the different activities that happen that we aren’t aware of but actually directly impacts our lives. Thank you Colonel Shumate!
Sad news came to us from Sean Connelly regarding the passing of his father. The visitation will be Sunday night, and the funeral will be on Monday morning at the United Methodist Church in Grundy Center, Iowa. We send Sean and his family our deepest condolences, thoughts and prayers.
The Orpheum opened in 1927. It was home to vaudeville performers during the early days. It became a movie theater in the 1960s. Jerry Lewis was the last known live performer in 1961, before the Orpheum transitioned into a movie house.
For the rest of the 1960s and into the early 1970s, it served as a movie theater. The building fell into disrepair during that time. It closed in 1971. In 1973, The Knights of Ak-Sar-Ben bought the building and put in $2 million to renovate it. The Knights offered it to the city on the condition that the theater be used for plays, musicals, etc. The Orpheum reopened in 1975.
Today, the Orpheum is professionally managed by Omaha Performing Arts. The Orpheum underwent a major $10 million renovation in 2002 and the ornate splendor of this magnificent theater was enhanced to better serve patrons and artists. Recent renovations have restored its ornate splendor - and enhanced acoustics and views.
Our Tour Guide will be Jeff Brown, the Assistant Production Manager for the Orpheum Theater. Jeff is following in the footsteps of his father, the late Al Brown, who managed the Orpheum from 1974 to 1996. Jeff grew up backstage at the Orpheum, and continues to assume responsibility and care of the Orpheum today.
PARKING:
First arrivals can park in two rows in the loading dock. Please pull all the way up so that others can park behind you. Additional parking is on the street and the lot on the S/E corner, which is a paid lot. At that time of day, there is usually a lot of street parking.
We have partnered with the Omaha Children’s Museum for an event on November 7thcalled Read for the Record. Attached is a flyer with more information on the event and the book that will be read to each classroom. We are looking for 1 volunteer for each of the times and schools listed below, additional opportunities may come closer to the event.
Also, if anyone has children/grandchildren whose classes might enjoy a reader, the Children’s Museum is happy to help arrange that if you have contact information.
The timings of the current readings are:
Roosevelt Elementary, 517 N 17th St, Council Bluffs, IA 51501
9:30 AM
St. Thomas 17007 Q St, Omaha, NE 68135
10:00 AM
St. Thomas 17007 Q St, Omaha, NE 68135
10:30 AM
Riverside School- 708 Glass Street, Oakland, IA 51560
12:35 PM
Riverside School- 708 Glass Street, Oakland, IA 51560
1:05 PM
Omaha Children's Museum 500 S 20th St, Omaha, NE 68102
1:15 PM
Rue Elementary 3326 6th Avenue, Council Bluffs, IA 51501
11:30 AM
Edison Elementary, 2218 3rd Ave. Council Bluffs, IA 51501
9:15 AM
Edison Elementary, 2218 3rd Ave. Council Bluffs, IA 51501
We have two locations to ring bells at the Nebraska Furniture Mart this year. East Doors of the Electronics Building (next to Subway) and the Main Furniture Building Entrance.
Rotary Leadership Institute provides educational opportunities for potential leaders to improve their Rotary knowledge and be exposed to new ideas of leadership. Clubs that care about their future will want the best leaders and members possible.
Participants need to plan to attend the entire day. Registrations must be made at least 1 week in advance.
October 19, 2019 - District 5650 – Dundee Presbyterian Church 5312 Underwood Avenue Omaha NE68132
