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.
Bernie, Missouri - Cymber Arnold has been chosen as the 2016 ShowMe Times July Calendar Girl!
Cymber is the 15-year old daughter of Derik and Casey Arnold and Tommy and and Lacey Winchester.
She received 1st Alternate in the 2016 Miss Bernie Pageant and is currently the reigning Miss Stoddard County!
Cymber is active in volleyball, softball, cheerleading, BETA, FBLA, and Fellowship of Christian Athletes at Bernie High School. She will be a sophomore in August.
Her future plans are to attend Harding University after high school and obtain a degree in the medical field.
Congratulations Miss Cymber Arnold!
Photo by Norman Swafford Photography!
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.
Bloomfield, Missouri - Lt. Governor Peter Kinder will be on hand to mark the Open House and dedicate the remodeling of the Bloomfield Public Library. The event will be held on Saturday, June 25th from 2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Local businessman Norman Harty made possible the renovations with his generous monetary donation and will be on hand to mark the dedication.
A tour of the library will be provided by library personnel and refreshments will also be served.
The public is invited and encouraged to attend. The Bloomfield Library is located at 200 W. Seneca Street. For more information call the library at (573) 568-3626.
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)
