CLUBS WITHIN THE CLUB
MHC Book Club Discusses Bestseller “No Ordinary Dog” Forever Young Club Marvels at Sistine Chapel Art The Forever Young Club visited “Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel Exhibition” at the America’s Center Ballroom in downtown St. Louis on Thursday, Dec. 10. This exhibit brings the grandeur of the Sistine Chapel’s world-famous frescos into close view with near original size displays. Forever Young Club Members and friends relived visits to the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel or have a first experience through the close-up examination of Michelangelo’s exquisite frescos. The exhibition provided a spacious, capacitycontrolled environment in order to provide a safe atmosphere for this group. After the exhibit, the Forever Young Club Members enjoyed lunch prepared by Executive Chef Bart Philipps at the Downtown Clubhouse and enjoyed the MAC’s legendary train display, giant lobby tree and other festive holiday decorations. F ABOVE: FYC MEMBERS JUDITH HANSES AND ED SPARKS EXAMINE A PHOTO
10 F CHERRY DIAMOND
The Military History Book Club will begin its 2021 campaign at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 19 at the Downtown Clubhouse. Raese Simpson will lead the discussion of “No Ordinary Dog” by Navy SEAL Will Chesney and Joe Layden. “No Ordinary Dog” is the true story of heroic sacrifice and loving friendship between a decorated member of the SEAL Teams and his famous military working dog, Cairo. As a young boy in the small town of Lumberton, Texas, Chesney had one goal: to become a Navy SEAL. Despite not being an athlete or an outdoorsman, he demonstrated a resilience and a resolve that got him through the intense physical training regimen of combat conditioning and survival skills required to become one of America’s most elite soldiers as a SEAL Team operator. After attending a combat assault dog demonstration, Chesney’s life and career changed forever when he volunteered to become a military working dog handler. Partnered with Cairo, a Belgian Malinois/ Shepherd mix rigorously trained to enter war zones, detect explosives, and attack enemy combatants, Chesney served two deployments as a handler in Afghanistan. Together, he and Cairo fought the war on terrorism on numerous campaigns and hundreds of missions. In 2011, they were assigned to a secret mission in Pakistan known as Operation Neptune Spear, where his SEAL Team successfully eliminated Osama bin Laden. More than brothers in arms, Chesney and Cairo forged a bond in training and on the battlefield that grew even stronger between missions. And when Cairo’s active-duty status was reduced due to age and injuries sustained under fire, Will maintained their relationship, determined to adopt and care for his best friend when the military retired him. But when Chesney was severely wounded by a grenade during a mission, it would fall to Cairo to become his caretaker. Only Cairo’s companionship, love, and loyalty would remind Will of his self-worth, give him a purpose, and help him to heal. Chesney served as a SEAL Team operator and dog handler. He participated in Operation Neptune Spear, which resulted in the death of Osama bin Laden. Chesney received a Silver Star and a Purple Heart, and now helps veterans who have suffered a traumatic brain injury. Layden is an award-winning journalist and writer. His books include the New York Times bestseller “As You Wish: Inconceivable Tales from the Making of The Princess Bride.”
