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Major General Edward J. Mechenbier of the U.S. Air Force Reserve, along with several other Air Force officers came to visit Poly on 18 May 2000 to share with us their experiences in the Air Force.
With him were Colonel Martinez, Colonel Talbot, F-22 flight test engineer Captain Forenger and Southwestern Region Area Manager Captain Ng.
Cadets as well as students from Madison Junior High School
were invited to the event. The main guest speaker, Mj. Gen. Mechenbier, humored those who attended with his quick wit while giving them insight about the life of the American POWs during the Vietnam War.
Cadets as well as the guest students asked question about the Vietnam War that Mechenbier was glad to answer. Following tha part of the event was Colonel Martinez, Colonel Talbot and Captain
Forenger. All of the guest speakers talked to the cadets and the students about the many opportunites to be found in the Air Force.
After the presentations were done the cadets took turns taking
pictures with Gen. Mechenbier. When the pictures were done, Mechenbier was led to the AFJROTC room to perform the "signing of the beam," a long tradition started by the first graduates of
CA-937. Afterwards Mechenbier, along with the other guests autographed F-22 posters for the cadets, who had lined up anxiously to meet Mechenbier in person.
Right before his departure Mechenbier was
presented with a CA-937 unit shirt signed by all of the cadets present. The General was grateful for the present, saying that he would keep the shirt as a memorabilia of the hospitality shown to him by
the cadets and the students.
A lot has happened in two hours. It was an experience that is unforgettable and will be forever cherished. On that day, everyone present was in the presence of a true
American hero.
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