Yuma, Arizona - Dexter native, Lt. Col. Chad Vaughn marked his change of command on June 30, 2016. The Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 211 re-designated to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (FMVA) 211 during a ceremony aboard Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona.
The re-designation marks the first time an AV-8B Harrier squadron transitioned to an F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter squadron, becoming the second F-35 squadron in the United States Marine Corps.
During the ceremony, Lt. Col. William Maples relinquished command of the transitioning squadron to Lt. Col. Chad Vaughn.
Lieutenant Colonel Chad Vaughn is a 1997 graduate of Virginia Tech with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science. He was commissioned through the Platoon Leaders Course as a Second Lieutenant in May 1997. He is the son of Gen.(Ret) Clyde and Carol Vaughn and lived in Dexter until his parents due to Clyde's military service had to move from the area.
Lt Col Vaughn attended The Basic School with Delta Company in 1997 and reported to NAS Pensacola, FL in January 1998 for flight training. After training at NAS Whiting Field, FL and NAS Kingsville, TX Lt Col Vaughn was designated a Naval Aviator in January 2000 and slated for the F/A-18 Hornet. From February 2000 to February 2001 he trained at the VFA-125 “Rough Raiders” aboard NAS Lemoore, CA.
In March 2001 Lt Col Vaughn reported to the “Black Knights” of VMFA-314 aboard MCAS Miramar, CA. Following the Sept 11, 2001 attacks the squadron rapidly deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom with Carrier Air Wing Nine on board the USS John C. Stennis from November 2001 to May 2002. After a brief return home, he was deployed to the Western Pacific on board the USS Carl Vinson from January to September 2003. Upon return from WESTPAC Lt Col Vaughn was selected to attend TOPGUN in 2004 and WTI in 2005. During this tour Lt Col Vaughn served as a Schedule Writer, Airframes Officer, Training Officer, Assistant Maintenance Officer, and Safety and Standardization Officer.
In September 2005 Lt Col Vaughn reported to NAS Fallon, NV as an instructor at the Naval Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN). While at TOPGUN, Lt Col Vaughn served as the Navy/Marine Corps Subject Matter Expert on 1v1 Air Combat and Briefing/Debriefing and was the USMC F-35 Liaison.
In June 2008 Lt Col Vaughn reported back to VMFA-314 aboard MCAS Miramar, CA as the Operations Officer. He deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from March to Sept 2009. While serving with VMFA-314, Lt Col Vaughn was selected as one of the initial cadre to transition to the F-35.
In December 2009 Lt Col Vaughn reported to the “Warlords” of VMFAT-501 at Eglin AFB, FL to stand up the initial F-35B training squadron. During this tour he served as the squadron’s Weapons Officer. In July 2011 Lt Col Vaughn was assigned to Headquarters Marine Corps for duties as the F-35 Requirements Officer.
Lt Col Vaughn reported back to VMFAT-501 in July 2013 as an Instructor Pilot where he served as the Maintenance Officer. During this tour he was selected for command of the VMFA-211 “Wake Island Avengers”. He reported to MCAS Yuma, AZ in July 2015.
Lt Col Vaughn has over 2,600 flight hours in the F/A-18A-D, F-16A/B, F/A-18E/F, and the F-35B. His personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal with 5 Strike/Flight Awards, and the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with four gold stars.
“The Marines are really what makes this aircraft special,” said Vaughn. “Their hard work, effort and dedication are what really make this aircraft awesome, so I’m humbled to be working with them and proud to lead them.”
To watch the ceremony click HERE.
Photo courtesy of Randy Hoeft of the Yuma Sum Newspaper.
Dexter, Missouri - Small towns are wonderful especially this time of year and you can't get more American than a hometown kids' Patriotic Parade!!
Now in its 24th year, the Fourth of July Patriotic Parade for kids will be held on Monday, July 4th at 10:00 a.m. This annual parade will begin at the corner of Elm and Vine streets in downtown Dexter.
The “just for kids” parade was started by Janice Barney, Lisa Greer and Jean Rahm. The parade leadership has passed to a new generation, as Kristina and Jason Banken, now host the holiday parade each year. The Bankens began hosting the parade 10 years ago, and have continued to build upon the Independence Day tradition.
The parade will follow its traditional route down Elm Street to Stoddard Street with kids on bicycles, tricycles, wagons, scooters, golf carts, on foot or in strollers. You may even see a few patriotic dogs in the parade.
The youngsters guided by Uncle Sam will gather on the steps of the U.S. Post Office on Stoddard Street to salute the American Flag with the Pledge of Allegiance. They will sing a few patriotic songs and pose for those ever-lasting photos.
The parade will get moving again, east down Stoddard Street to Poplar Street, where it will turn south at the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) back to Vine Street and turn west returning to the Bankens’ front yard where they will be treated to lemonade and a small snack.
Children are invited to participate. They may walk or bring their bikes and other means of transportation for the parade. Parking will be available for grown-ups in the city parking lot on Vine Street across from the Dexter Municipal Building.
Dexter, Missouri - Joe Weber has proudly served Dexter as Mayor for 14 years. He established the Stoddard county Association for Retarded Citizens (ARC) and the city's longest business downtown reflects his family's name, Weber's Ben Franklin Store. He also served in the Air Force serving in the Korean War.
On Wednesday Lieutenant Governor Peter Kinder announced the winners of the 2016 Veterans Service Awards. Weber was selected from over 100 nominees for this special honor. He was nominated by Hillary Starnes, Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce in Dexter.
Missouri Lieutenant Governor Peter Kinder announced 34 winners of the 2016 Lieutenant Governor’s Veterans Service Award, which recognizes Missouri veterans who provide exemplary volunteer service to their communities.
Kinder started the award in 2012 and has received more than 700 nominations from around the state. Winners will be honored with an official declaration from the lieutenant governor. “One of the greatest honors I have as Missouri’s lieutenant governor is recognizing and honoring the service our veterans provide their families, friends, and neighbors in our great state,” Kinder said. “Once again, we had an exceptional group of nominations this year, and I look forward to meeting these hometown heroes and getting to know them a bit better.
It truly is an honor to be able to shine the spotlight on their stories of sacrifice and service to their communities. Not only did these veterans answer the call to serve their country, but all our nominees continue to inspire others back home with their volunteerism.”
The winners and their nominators are:
Eastern Missouri Winners
Joe Clark of Canton
(RSVP at Douglass Community Services)
Bill Henson of Farmington
(Andrew Moore, disabled Veterans’ Representative for the Missouri Department of
Economic Development)
Ralph Maxwell of Potosi
(Francis Sancegraw, commander of VFW Post 6996 in Potosi)
Bobby McIntyre of Old Monroe
(American Legion Post 323 in Wentzville)
Carl Neupert of Wentzville
(Missouri Rep. John McCaherty of High Ridge)
Ronn Pashia of Hannibal
(Missouri Rep. Lindell Shumake of Hannibal)
Joseph Paulter of Union
(Catherine Christensen, administrator of the Union Senior Center)
James Price of Mill Springs
(Charles Carter of Mill Springs)
Benjamin Tanner of Sikeston
(Missouri Rep. Holly Rehder of Sikeston)
Rochelle Webber-Williams of St. Louis
(The Rev. Everett Thomas, mayor of Northwoods)
Joe Weber of Dexter
(Dexter Chamber of Commerce)
Rick Weirich of St. Clair
(Missouri Rep. Dave Hinson of St. Clair)
Elson Williams of St. Louis
(St. Louis Vet Center)
Dale “Woody” Woodard of St. Ann
(Elizabeth Pawloski of the Oasis Institute in St. Louis)
Dexter, Missouri - Countywide Insurance presented the Hall of Fame Award for excellence in accident prevention to Liberty Township Thursday, June 16, 2016.
The distinguished Hall of Fame Award was from Missouri Rural Services Workers Compensation Insurance Trust for Liberty Township’s excellence in accident prevention for a performance period from April 1, 2012 – March 31, 2015.
Liberty Township in Stoddard County is honored to receive this prestigious award, which recognizes the outstanding safety practices of its employees over a sustained period.
Missouri Rural Services was established in 1980 and provides a complete package insurance policy specifically designed for public entities. More than 2,500 public entities and not-for-profit organizations participate in the Missouri Rural Services programs.
Shown in the photo front row from left to right are: Rick Anthony, Joy Sills, Ricky Stearns, Sharon McCord, Countywide Ins., and Tish Gentry, Countywide Ins. Back row from left to right are Terry Battles, Ed Crow, and Alan Hedrick, owner of Countywide Insurance.
Dexter, Missouri - Keller Library Summer Reading Program kicked off today with an impressive 174 people in attendance. Marty Hahne, the Reading Magician was on hand to amaze the children and their parents, grandparents, and librarians.
Marty’s new magic tricks were geared to this year’s theme “On Your Mark, Get Set....Read”. His latest magic trick called My Favorite Sport allowed audience participation. One child came up to assist while the other children were let in on the secret, then at the end there was a surprise finish that left everyone baffled.
Marty also had a trick in which bottles of old fashioned root beer multiply one after the other until there are several and then there was a surprise at the end.
Marty had another routine involving exercising not only your muscles, but your imagination and brain. He told a very funny story about a boy named Rudy and how he lost his head watching too much television. The children really enjoyed this story and how Rudy’s head kept shrinking in the t.v. Even Casey, the magical rabbit, made an appearance in his magical library.
The Summer Reading Program continues next Wednesday, June 22nd at 11:00 a.m. with Karate Kickin' with Carillo's Martial Arts in Dexter. Keller Public Library is located at 402 W. Grant Street. The Summer Reading Program is sponsored by the Friends of the Library.
If you would like to hire Marty for a birthday party, church event, school event, or library event contact him on his website by clicking HERE.
