During this “transitional political and economic environment” and during a time when our United States government administration is going through significant changes, hearing a person like Brigadier General Dale E. Stovall speak on America and keeping America safe is extremely significant for you and me.

And the second importance of this Jan. 29, 2011 event is the installation of our Pachyderm leadership team for the 2011 calendar year. This leadership team and lits individual responsibilities for our 160 plus members in the Missoula valley is critical as we face the upcoming economic and political events.

Please complete your reservation with a check as soon as possible! AND PLEASE DO NOT DENY OTHERS YOU KNOW THE OPPORTUNITY TO ATTEND THIS EVENT. Send this invitation to five specific people in your email address book–five non-Pachyderm members. The individual Pachyderm member who can document that they brought three or more non-pachyderm members as paid guests to the banquet, will have their individual banquet registration paid!

Pete Pettersen
Banquet Committee Chair
Please contact me for further information or questions.

Duane “Pete” Pettersen
Pettersen Insurance Agency
1900 Brooks, #115; P.O. Box 3207
Missoula, MT 59806-3207
(406) 728-2330
inspete1@gmail.com

Thelma Baker awards Kathleen Roberts the Meritorious Service Award

After the cocktail hour, Master of Ceremonies Chris Warden kept us going right on time. He even shared a list of things with the question, “What year did these happen?” The answer 1990, same year as the start of Five Valleys Pachyderm.

The invocation was done by 1st VP Allie Harrison. The posting of the colors was done by the University of Montana ROTC Color Guard. Pledge of Allegiance was lead by John Quandt and the National Anthem was lead by Keith Baer.

The installation of Officers and Directors was conducted by Montana Pachyderm Federation President Thelma Baker. And new members were pinned by Presidents Charlie Olinger and Thad Brinkman.

The highlight of the evening was the keynote address by Ambassador Mark Johnson.

We were very honored to be able to award two of the National Pachyderm foundations top awards to two very deserving Five Valleys members. These awards must be approved by the National board. They represent years of dedicated service by the recipients.

John Angwin receives the Tough Tusk Award from National Board Member Col. Sam Roberts

John Angwin received the Tough Tusk award. It was presented by National Board member Col Sam Roberts.

Kathleen Roberts was presented the Meritorious Service award by State Federation President Thelma Baker

New this year was a $500 scholarship presented to a College Republican based on work done for our candidates as well as an essay. Chris Warden was pleased to award the first scholarship to Will Selph.

I grew up in a typical household, until first grade. That fall, my father’s addictions spilled over. It had been a matter of time; my father lived in a dangerous world that spun out of control. My father became a stranger. My mother divorced my dad mid-way through the year. We moved from the house we had called home, and moved to a small three-bedroom apartment. I said good-bye to my power-wheel, my playroom, and the giant backyard where my youth was spent. Little did I know, this was because my father had racked up a huge debt. For the next three years we lived in the small apartment, my mother worked two jobs. When times got tough, my Great Grandparents and Grandparents would chip in. My mother kept a ledger with every penny she was ever given. She knew Dad and Grandpa would never let her pay it back. She however, rarely asked for the help. In all the time at the apartment, my mother paid back the massive debt, of my father, while providing for two growing boys. Never once did she go on government assistance. To this day my mother is proud of never becoming dependent on government hand-outs.

Chris Warden presents the $500 scholarship to Will.

The second place that made me a Republican was my families’ businesses. In Billings one family owns a small auto parts store and in Winifred Grandpa operates a farm and ranch. Grandpa Bill has always been a Republican with an attitude. Bill has always maintained that America will not be starved; we must feed our own. Since the beginning of the 1970’s America’s Farm and Ranchers have struggled to keep operations going. While at the same time being victimized by Liberals in Washington D.C. Grandpa’s largest concern was that he would not be able to pass on the land his hands worked for decades. The Death Tax would prevent enough land from being passed on to keep the farm from success. This fight over a tax is much more than dollar signs in my family. It is to preserve a way of life. I never met my great-grandpa john, but I have stood in the barn he built. I have mended fence he built, I have harvested in the small fields he once harvested. This is a fight to keep the connections with our past. This is about family, Democrats don’t understand the concept of land rich and dirt poor, we do.

A few hours south of the ranch, my maternal Grandparents started a small business in the late 1970’s. “The shop” as it became affectionately known in our family. It has been a staple and center of my family since it first opened. Grandma and Grandpa got a small loan from the bank and their parents. With that small amount, they bought a piece of land, and built a small store on it. They bought some wrecked cars and parts. What began all those years ago has grown into a thriving small business that employs 10 people. My grandparents taught that daring to dream and taking a chance can pay off. With hard work, dedication, and a drive for success, you can achieve great things. When you venture to provide for yourself and your family, you are embarking on the American Dream.

The final aspect that has made me a proud Republican is my own decisions. The first major influence in my life was beginning cub scouts, which culminated in achieving the rank of Eagle Scout. Of 100 boys who enter cub scouts, only one will become an Eagle Scout. I was proud to have achieved the rank, becoming the fourth person in my family to do so. In Scouts, we learn the values of moral conviction, mental acuity, and physical ability. In high school, I found a new group of friends. All were active in the community and avoided trouble. They invited me to come to a group meeting; the group was High School Democrats. At the time, I went, I did not think much about it. I sat there for a half hour, all they did was complain about President George W. Bush and where America was. I got up and left, the next day I began collecting signatures for High School Republicans. We founded the first group in Billings public school history. I re-learned that I did not want to be a part of something that was negative and only cared about trash talking everything. I wanted to belong to a party that had options, that was about alternatives, and about long-term solutions.

Since declaring myself a Republican all those years ago, I have learned to be independent, to love my family, to build my dreams, and be thankful to live in the United States of America. I have been taught to dream big, to reach for the stars, and never quit. Even if my life knows failures, my life will never be a failure. This is grounded in the simple and overwhelming fact that my family will always love me. I am only the second person in my family to attend an actual four-year College. This reality has been built on the foundation laid from the day Great-Great Grandpa O’Donnell stepped foot on American soil. He was the first member of my family to arrive in America, and today I know his Irish eyes would be smiling. My family and my own personal journeys have made me a proud Republican, and the inspiration of others has only cemented my status.

Editor’s note:
Here are just some of the highlights from the keynote address presented by Ambassador Mark Johnson at our installation banquet. It was a very informative talk and these notes only scratch the surface.)

President Ronald Reagan once said that politics is the world’s second oldest profession. And it closely resembles the first one.

There were three main areas to Johnson’s address.

1. There are problems that will likely unfold in the coming year.
2. Other problems will likely unfold in the next five years.
3. There are also immediate problems.

1. The first challenge is Russia regaining its former influence. President Vladimir Putin is a force to deal with. There is no such thing as a “former” KGB agent. The key is to see how Russia takes advantage of the United States’ attention on Afghanistan and Iraq.

Also, the two leading candidates to head the Ukraine are pro Russia.

Europe depends largely on the Russia for their energy needs. Russia cut off gas to them a year ago and they felt it. Russia wants to stay on top. (China has increasing energy needs too. They want Russia’s gas as well)

Russia will stick it to the USA where they can.

2. Energy problems will continue to plague us. The world consumes 40,000 gallons of gas per second. China puts 15,000 new cars on the road every day.

Energy independence is nonsense. Under President Carter, our dependence on foreign energy sources amounted to about 40% of our needs. Now we are up to 63% dependence. And there will probably be a large increase by 2030.

To keep up with the demand, we will need to build a new nuclear power plant every ten days.

(Side note: According to the US Dept of Energy, the last reactor built was the “River Bend” plant in Louisiana. Its construction began in March of 1977. The last plant to begin commercial operation is the “Watts Bar” plant in Tennessee, which came online in 1996.)

60% of the petroleum reserves are in the Middle East. 40% of that flows through the Persian Gulf.

Wind power is growing. Now at about ½ of 1 % of energy consumption and growing.
Coal will remain a dominate source.

It is interesting to note that the Cape Cod, Massachusetts wind power project that would have provided power to 400,000 homes was fought by Robert Kennedy Jr and supported by California Senator Diane Feinstein. Another wind project on the Mojave desert in south eastern California was fought by Senator Feinstein and backed by Robert Kennedy Jr.

3. Which now leads us to Iran.

Ambassador Johnson wanted to stress about how wonderful the Iranian people were during he and his wife’s recent six week tour of Iran, many of whom had a fondness for America. Stories were shared about positive experiences with the Iranian people like one who shared his bread with him on a subway.

Iran is a major player in Iraq and Afghanistan.

After the last election, many of the protesters were women.

Iran is close to having nuclear weapons.
Iran doesn’t consider themselves Arab. They do consider themselves as victims of foreign occupation.

Ambassador Johnson was last in Iran in 1979 just before the hostages were taken at the U.S. Embassy. Upon his return, he observed two main things. Iran is less religious than it was. Today’s Iran is more repressive than it was under the Shaw of Iran

The protest that started as an elections protest are now rejections of the current administration.

Nuclear Proliferation; Iran now has things in place that would be suited for weapons, not just its power supply. They find a need to have power over the other states in the region.

Iran’s response to us, “Talk to the hand.” They use Anti- Americanism as a form of power. They can’t be seen talking to us.

It was a very informative, address and intently listened to by all in attendance.

Also included are the original membership list  from that 20 year old program.  Underlined names are still members of Five Valleys Pachyderm.  Note, the official charter does list more names, several of which are still members as well.

CHARTER MEMBERS (48 names)

6 of these are still members 20 years later

Just $34 per person

Social Hour 6:00

No host bar

Dinner 7:00 p.m.

Steak and Scampi