By Jon Walker, F268778
National Senior Vice President
July 2016
When national president Charlie Adcock asked me to write this month’s President’s Message, I was very pleased, because July is my favorite month of the year. Living in the northern climates, one experiences four distinct seasons. July finally brings summer to us, and all of the great outdoor activities that go with it.
I am especially excited this year, because I will be able to get back on the water to kayak and ski. If you remember the article I wrote in December 2015 about trying to kayak with my grandsons, you will appreciate where I am going with this.
When I was not able to stay in my “high performance” kayak last fall, I finally decided the reason was really about my weight . . . meaning being way overweight. In my mind, I have always been the slim high school junior who ran track and cross country and weighed about 165 pounds. In reality, I was much heavier than the Pillsbury Doughboy. I recently attended the funeral of the father of one of my childhood friends. I had not seen my friend’s mother for more than 30 years. When I walked in the funeral home, she came up to me, hugged me, and said, “Boy, Jon, you have all blown up!”
So, based on these facts, I decided to do something about my weight. I am proud to report that I have lost more than 70 pounds. I feel like that high school junior again. I guess that’s why I am so excited about this July. I think that I will be able to keep up with my grandsons in the kayak, and I will be able to slalom water-ski like I used to do. In fact, my yearly birthday ritual since I was an 8-year-old kid through my 65th birthday was to do a deep-water start on a slalom ski. I think that I will be able to do these things this summer.
Another great thing about July is my family’s annual reunion at our lake cottage. We get together for the week around July Fourth. Our “gathering” has grown over the last few years, because our kids have married and have their own children, and my siblings all have children and special friends. So, our family and friends list keeps growing. I now have two motorhome hookups at the lake. I take my motorhome there for the week to house five people, plus my RV dealer loans me one of his motorhomes so I can house another five or so people. The cottage is full to the brim. People also stay at my daughter’s house and at the houses of our friends.
This is a very special time for Sondra and me to be able to visit for a week with all of our family. I guess that is why we love Family Motor Coach Association. Over the years and especially the last three years, we have made many, many friends through our association with FMCA. The travels with Charlie and Gloria have been extra special.
As you can see, the “family” in Family Motor Coach Association is very dear to me. Sondra and I are also looking forward to taking our grandkids “exploring” in our motorhome all over North America! Why, we might even tie those kayaks on top of our rig and expand the motorhome “exploring” to land and sea!
By the time you read this article, I will have been very busy representing you at several area rallies and chapter rallies. Even before that, in April, I made a loop while giving our FMCA member benefits presentations in Arkansas, Alabama, and Florida. Among my stops was the INTO Area Rally in Tallahassee, which was a success. David Kessler, national vice president, International Area, and his board put on a great get-together. I was really impressed with their afternoon rally picnic. They went all out at the picnic by having games, contests, music, food, and even an appearance by an Evil Knievel “wannabe.”
Tom and Lorna Eller hosted me at their home at Bella Terra of Gulf Shores in Foley, Alabama. The FMCAssist Medical Emergency and Travel Assistance Program presentation I gave at this RV resort resulted in many new FMCA members. Tom and Lorna do a great job recruiting new FMCA members there.
The Great Lakes Area Rally (GLAMARAMA) scheduled for June 8 through 12, 2016, will be in the books by the time you read this article. I always look forward to this rally, since I helped form the Great Lakes Area association. I am very proud of this area and how it is growing under the leadership of national vice president Jane Roush.
You still have time to join us at the FMCA Family Reunion and Motorhome Showcase — “Celebrate Your Freedom” — in West Springfield, Massachusetts, August 3 through 6. This will be the first time we have been to the Northeast for an international event in many years, and the first time ever for an international event at the Eastern States Exposition, home of the BIG E.
We are proud to be able to have The Texas Tenors present their show “Let Freedom Sing” during evening entertainment on Thursday, August 4. This group has gone a long way since we gave them one of their first big gigs after they competed, and placed fourth, in the “America’s Got Talent” TV show competition.
The Northeast has lots to offer our members; so, please plan on attending this early-August event. The registration form appears elsewhere in this magazine, or sign up online at FMCA.com.
Charlie and Gloria join Sondra and me in wishing you a very special July Fourth and a special Canada Day celebration. We are so blessed to live in two of the great democracies of the world. Please keep in your prayers our soldiers who work day and night all over the world to protect the freedom we all enjoy. And remember, “It’s all about having fun!”