One Man’s Opinion: The Moon’s a Balloon

By Bill Crane

There is a tendency, well-documented by historians and military experts, to defend and prepare for the next enemy of the United States with the tools and techniques that worked well in the prior war.

NORAD, the North American Aerospace Defense Command (I know the acronym doesn’t match...take it up with the Pentagon), was founded by the U.S. and Canada in 1958, relatively early in the Cold War, to both monitor U.S. airspace and particularly to identify fast-moving projectiles or aircraft headings towards the U.S. land mass (including Alaska and Hawaii). Identifying, intercepting, and deflecting the detonation of an intercontinental ballistic missile in the early outer atmosphere or meeting unidentified or hostile enemy aircraft flying in formation (like Pearl Harbor) before reaching U.S. landfall were top mission priorities.

NORAD has served us well, but its radar, sonar, and multiple early detection technologies were not really ever intended to detect large, slow-moving craft, particularly at lower altitudes. Balloons, blimps, and Zeppelins were long ago reduced in terms of threat analysis after the explosion of the Hindenburg. However, the Germans continued using various airships for reconnaissance and submarine surveillance throughout World War II.

You may remember our U-2 spy planes, first commissioned by the United States Air Force for high-altitude reconnaissance in 1957. Lockheed has built 104 U-2s since, many which are still in service. One of these single-engine jets was shot down over Russia on May 1, 1960, causing an international incident and resulting in the U.S.S.R. imprisonment of pilot Francis Gary Powers. Powers was released in 1962 in exchange for a Russian spy in U.S. custody. He returned stateside and eventually became a pilot for a Los Angeles news station and its news chopper. Powers was killed flying that craft in 1977.

Still later in 1990 during the first Persian Gulf War, a coalition of nations challenged Iraq after its invasion of the neighboring sovereign nation Kuwait. The first night’s bombing of Baghdad by U.S. and allied forces were well documented and covered live by CNN and other news outlets. Departing Baghdad days later to maintain their safety, CNN anchor Bernard Shaw, and then war correspondent John Holliman left Baghdad in the dark of night for a long desert drive on the only road available connecting Baghdad to Damascus, Syria. When the caravan arrived safely in Syria, they received a secure phone call from CNN President Tom Johnson, inquiring about their condition and safety, and then asking for a fax number.

The caravan had made at least one pit stop along the 90+ mile route to Damascus. The fax showed a photograph taken by a U.S. military satellite showing the top of Holliman’s bald head and the motorcade in the complete dark of a desert night in Syria while Holliman was doing his business facing a small shrub roadside.

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Doc Talk: Fall Prevention Strategies

PRESENTED BY DR. EMILY BOYD

It’s just one of the many ways we’re here to support you.

RSVP to 678-841-0030 outstanding leadership during their time at Rainbow Village. They must have also exhibited a high regard for the goals and mission of the organization while making significant contributions to the improvement of resident engagement. Adrian represents all these qualities, and Conner and her team are certain that Barbara would have been honored to know her.

For the safety and well-being of all residents and guests, all recommended safety precautions will be taken. Please call to inquire about our safety measures for this event.

In addition to the High Achiever Award, 2022 Be the Change Microgrants were awarded to twenty-seven residents to accomplish the following goals:

• Improve well-being by accessing dental care

• Achieve financial stability by eliminating or reducing debt

• Achieve family stability with assistance in obtaining a vehicle

• Build credit with the gift of a secured credit card

• Receive a bonus for achieving a 700+ credit score

One resident’s request for funding to cover the expense of real estate classes and materials as she works toward her dream of becoming a real estate agent was denied. However, what she received in return was far better than her original request. Hilda Abbott, Founder of Rudhil Companies, not only offered to pay for the resident’s real estate training, but also committed to providing a mentor and assistance for the resident’s first five listings!

The Rainbow Village Women’s Giving Circle is a diverse, dynamic, and generous group of women engaged in an exciting venture of strategic philanthropy. It leverages the resources of individuals for greater impact by pooling members’ dollars and using the money to award microgrants to families of Rainbow Village. Members also seek to engage and educate the public about families experiencing homelessness. Gatherings are held quarterly and often involve a speaker, food, beverages, games, prizes, and fun. The kickoff meeting for 2023 will be held in March. Women who’d like to join the Women’s Giving Circle in 2023 can learn more and register at https://rainbowvillage. org/womens-giving-circle/.

More information at www.RainbowVillage.org.