Bob Burkman’s Prayer
Heavenly Father,
On this Veterans Day, we pause to thank You for the brave men and women who have served our nation with honor, courage and sacrifice. We remember those from the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard and Space Force; each one answering a call greater than themselves to defend freedom and protect peace.
Lord, bless those who stood watch on land, sea, and air, and now even among the stars.
Grant peace to those who have borne the burdens of battle and to those who carry the physical and emotional wounds of war. Comfort the families who have shared their sacrifice.
May we never take for granted the liberty their service has preserved. Inspire us, God, to live with the same dedication, loyalty, and love of country that they have shown.
We ask Your continued protection upon those have served and those who serve today.
In Your holy name we pray,
Amen.
Honoring the Veterans in Attendance
At the start of the meeting, all veterans who were present were invited to come to the front of the room and be recognized. Members and guests were asked to share their branch of service and length of service, and the club thanked each of them for their contributions to our country.
Later in the meeting, Jeremy and Cassandra from The Castle distributed small tokens made from retired American flags to the veterans in attendance. The Castle is a day program for adults living with mental health struggles, and Mike Fanelli volunteers there regularly. As part of an annual project, members of The Castle cut stars from retired flags from our Avenue of Flags program and attach a note thanking veterans for their service. These tokens were passed out today as a gesture of appreciation for our veterans.
Get to Know a Member – Bob Burkman
President Sarah Umbreit interviewed Bob Burkman for this week’s “Get to Know a Member.” Bob served in the U.S. Marine Corps for 12 and a half years, completing two tours in Vietnam. He noted that the Marine Corps’ 250th anniversary will be celebrated on November 10, 2025, at Marine Corps Balls across the nation, and that Veterans Day was always considered a day of rest.
When asked about his favorite candy, Bob said he doesn’t really eat candy but does enjoy bread pudding.
His first car, purchased when he was 20, was a black 1958 Chevy Impala convertible with a red interior.
Bob Burkman joined CNO on May 31, 2003, and was sponsored by Tom Novak.
Announcements
Practical Uses for AI – CNO 2.0 Meeting on November 20
Diane Arehart announced that the next CNO 2.0 meeting will be held on November 20 at 5:30 p.m. at Heavier Than Air Brewing Company. Patrick Arehart will present “Practical Uses for AI,” an overview of how Artificial Intelligence can be used in everyday work and personal projects, including how anyone can start using AI right now. This session is not technical, but Diane noted that Patrick could talk for days on the technical side of AI as well.
Annual CNO Holiday Dinner – December 9, 2025
Connie Risch announced that the CNO Holiday Party will be held on December 9, 2025, at Sycamore Creek Country Club. Please sign up through the Member Calendar. There will be no lunch meeting that day.
Top Optimist Poinsettia Sale
Craig Dring announced that the Top Optimist Poinsettia Sale is underway, with a delivery date of December 2. They have 100 poinsettias to support the Top Optimist program. Craig brought Jeremy with him, the newly installed President of the Top Optimist club. Last year they raised $500 for TOP Soccer and $500 for the Therapeutic Riding Institute. Please place orders through the Member Calendar.
Buil-a-Bear – Childhood Health and Wellness
Carol Smerz, co-chair of the Childhood Health and Wellness Committee, announced that the next Build-a-Bear event will take place on November 20, 2025, for children with cancer at Dayton Children’s Hospital. Please sign up through the Member Calendar
St. Leonard and South Community Adopt-a-Family Drive
Carol Smerz announced that she will be collecting donations of hats, gloves, socks, and money at next week’s meeting to support South Community Behavioral Health in partnership with St. Leonard’s Adopt-a-Family program.
USO Children’s Christmas Party
Carol Smerz announced that the club will again support the USO Children’s Christmas Party on Saturday, December 13. This event takes place every three years, and volunteers who have access to the Hope Hotel or the base are especially needed. Please sign up using the Member Calendar.
Soup for the Tree Lot Volunteers
Beth Duncan reminded members to sign up to bring a crockpot of hot soup for Christmas Tree Lot volunteers on delivery day, November 22, 2025. She still needs 10–15 more soups. Please deliver soups to the trailer between 8 and 9 a.m. and sign up using the Member Calendar.
Adopt-a-Family Program
Chris Gariety announced that all of the children in the Adopt-a-Family program have been adopted. CNO is also accepting extra money for food for these families, as a greater need is expected this year.
Christmas Tree Lot on the Radio and Opening Soon
Greg Griffin announced that he will be on the radio with Larry Hansgen at 6:15 a.m. on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, to promote the Christmas Tree Lot. Tune in to 1290 AM or 95.7 FM.
He also reminded everyone that the Christmas Tree Lot opens in 17 days. They expect to sell about one thousand trees in roughly fourteen days. The Centerville High School Octagon Club will be helping, especially on weeknights when only one club team is scheduled. Please be sure to show up for your team’s assigned shifts.
Honor Flight Dayton: Al Bailey on Twenty Years of Homecomings
How Honor Flight Began
Al Bailey, a U.S. Army veteran and retired Air Force civilian engineer, shared the remarkable story of how the Honor Flight program began right here in the Dayton area. The idea was born in 2005 when Earl Morse, a physician assistant at the VA clinic in Springfield, realized that many of his World War II patients had never seen their memorial in Washington, D.C.
Morse, who was also a member of the Wright-Patterson Aero Club, arranged to fly several of his patients to Washington in small four-seat planes at his own expense. Along with six other volunteer pilots, he escorted twelve veterans to their memorials that spring. When the group returned, word spread quickly among other veterans, and by the end of 2005, 137 World War II veterans had taken part in the growing project.
As the program expanded, it grew into the national Honor Flight Network, which now includes hubs across the country.
Link to National Honor Flight Network
Al Bailey Joins the Mission
After retiring from Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in 2003, Al wanted to become more involved with both his church and nonprofit work. When he heard about the Honor Flight program in 2006, he volunteered as a guardian and quickly became more involved. By 2007, he was helping establish new hubs across the country, teaching volunteers how to form boards, raise funds, and organize trips.
Al eventually became President of Honor Flight Dayton, the local hub that coordinates flights, volunteer support, and logistics for veterans in this region.
Under his leadership, the program has grown from local pilots flying small planes to full charter flights carrying about 100 veterans per trip, accompanied by medical personnel and volunteers.
Expanding to Serve More Veterans
For several years, Honor Flight focused exclusively on World War II veterans. As those numbers declined, the program expanded in 2013 to include Korean War veterans and in 2014 to Vietnam veterans, while continuing to prioritize the oldest participants.
To date, Al has helped escort 12,015 veterans to Washington, D.C., including 7,496 from the Dayton hub. The trips give veterans a chance not only to visit their memorials but also to reconnect with others who share similar experiences. Al noted that many Vietnam veterans were initially hesitant because they had spoken very little about their service. “They formed a bubble,” he said, “but not one has ever regretted going. Some say it was the best day of their life.”
A Homecoming They Never Received
Al described the moving scenes that unfold when veterans return home. Active-duty military personnel and hundreds of supporters line the gates to welcome the group home. Music is often played, and the applause begins as the first veterans come into view. “That is when the tears start,” Al said. “It is the homecoming they never got.”
Special Flights and a Sudden Security Change
In 2025, Honor Flight Dayton partnered with the U.S. Air Force to organize a special mission using C-17 cargo planes. The trip had been planned for more than a year, and the schedule originally included a live appearance by Lee Greenwood to sing God Bless the USA for the veterans.
Shortly before the aircraft were scheduled to arrive, the Honor Flight team was informed that the President would be boarding and taking off in Air Force One. When Air Force One is preparing for departure, the surrounding area goes into immediate lockdown. Because of this, Greenwood could not travel through the restricted zone, and his performance had to be canceled.
The change also meant the C-17 crew and volunteers had only a 30-minute window to get every veteran off the aircraft and off the airfield. If they did not meet that window, they would have been stuck inside the restricted zone for an extended period of time.
Al said the team moved quickly and efficiently, guiding wheelchairs, walkers, and support equipment down the ramp as fast as possible. They cleared the last of the veterans with only a few minutes to spare.
Once outside the secured perimeter, the veterans were greeted by more than 4,000 people who had been waiting near Andrews Air Force Base to welcome them.
Honoring Yesterday’s Heroes
Honor Flight Dayton also runs a photo tribute program called Honoring Yesterday’s Heroes.
Link to Honoring Yesterday’s Heroes program
This program is not for veterans who have applied for or plan to take an Honor Flight trip. It is designed for two groups.
- Deceased veterans who never had the chance to see their memorials.
- Living veterans who are no longer able to travel.
Families submit a photo and a short form. During the next Honor Flight trip, volunteers take a picture of the veteran’s photo beside a folded flag with the appropriate memorial in the background. Afterward, the family receives an 8×10 color photo and a certificate at no cost.
The program is coordinated by Patty DiBlasi, who oversees all requests and ensures that each tribute is prepared and delivered to the family.
Continuing the Mission
From seven small planes in 2005 to full charter flights and military transport aircraft today, Honor Flight Dayton has become a powerful effort of gratitude and remembrance. Al’s message to the Optimist Club was clear: these trips are about connection, healing, and making sure every veteran, living or remembered, receives the thanks they earned.
Thank You
Thank you, Al Bailey, for sharing the story of Honor Flight Dayton and for your dedication to honoring America’s veterans.
Video of Al Bailey’s Presentation
Richard Diaz from the Miami Valley Communications Council (MVCC) recorded Al Bailey’s presentation. You can view it on YouTube here.
Exploring a New CNO Flag Retirement Committee
Mike Fanelli presented an idea for a new club initiative focused on the proper retirement of American flags. Since most modern flags are made from polyester or nylon, burning them now produces toxic fumes, and many organizations have stopped using that method. As a result, groups such as the American Legion in Kettering have large numbers of flags waiting for retirement.
Mike suggested that CNO consider forming a small committee to create memorial medallions made from these retired flags. Each medallion would use a properly folded section of a flag and could be placed on the coffin of a loved one as they are laid to rest. This offers a respectful way to retire flags while also providing families with a meaningful keepsake.
He plans to gather a few members after the holidays to begin testing designs and production methods. If the idea takes shape, the new committee could expand the project and make the medallions available more widely within the community.
New Member Readings and Inductions
- Bill Johnson, Second Reading, Sponsored by Erin Laurito
- Daniel France, Induction, Sponsored by Tony Danial
Happy Bucks
- Sergeant Mike Creech shared a photo of his seven-month-old granddaughter finally fitting into the CNO-logo onesie she received as a gift from the club. He contributed seven happy bucks for the moment.
- Sergeant Mike Creech gave a happy buck to celebrate Bob Foster being able to attend after recent health challenges.
Sergeants-at-Arms Fines – Bob Myers and Mike Creech
No time this week for fines
Welcome Guests
| Guest | Guest Of |
| Al Bailey | Speaker |
| Dan France | Tony Danial |
| Dave Hungler | Dave Kay |
| Jeremy Althouse | Melanie Asbell |
| Jerry Spray | Dom Kelley |
| Kathy France | Tony Danial |
| Michael Huch | Ellie Parker |
| Patty DiBlasi | Speaker |
| Ren Jett | Teresa Nichols |
| Tom Girz | Andy Higgins |
| Mike (from the Castle) | Mike Fanelli |
| Cassandra (from the Castle) | Mike Fanelli |
Club Membership Anniversaries
| Member | Joined | Years |
| Tim Clemmer | November 16, 2001 | 24 |
| Art Hung | November 16, 2001 | 24 |
| Nancy Lehren | November 17, 1994 | 31 |
| Larry England | November 17, 1994 | 31 |
Birthdays
| Kelly George | November 12 |
| David Seyer | November 13 |
| Tim Mach | November 14 |
CNO Donations – Since 2013
Click here to see a summary of donations the club has made since 2013
Thank You Notes Received this Week
CLICK HERE to see the Thank You Notes received this week
Links to PowerPoint and Pictures
CLICK HERE to see the PowerPoint Slide Deck from this week’s meeting