The Iowa Snowbird Club met Thursday for breakfast at LuLu’s Homeport.            President Marvin Hastings introduced Retired Col. Patrick Downing who spoke to us about four honor flights that have taken 400 World War II Alabama veterans to Washington D.C. to visit the World War II Memorial.

There is a large welcome home at the Mobile Airport. Other trips are planned. The first free honor flight was held in 2005 — there are now 71 hubs in the United States and 50,000 World War II veterans have  gone. There is one guardian for every three vets and other medical staff and media. They leave at 5:30 a.m. and are home by 7:30 p.m. He finished his presentation with a video.

Reports were given by Treasurer Kathy Franks and Bob Matheson, Golf Chair. Terry Kiser, website, and new roster keeper has added pictures of the bench the club purchased and other updates. A. J. Lang gave a report on the money from the Bratfest that will go to the fire stations.

Hastings introduced new members and called numbers for the door prizes. He thanked the hostesses for the cocktail parties.

A.J. Lang gave out the money for the 50/50 winners.

The next cocktail party will be Friday at Phoenix on the Bay II hosted by Lois Buckley. Bring a dish to share and your own beverage.

The last meeting of the year will be held at Lulu’s Homeport Feb. 23. Please RSVP by Saturday by calling Doris Wolf at 251-981-6901 ext. 5908 or e-mail at clintwolf@aol.com . Reservations can also be made on the club website www.iowa-alabamagulfcoastsnowbirds.org