April 7, 2011 - Kornelia Takacs - Compass Chronicles
Kornelia Takacs is the author of Compass Chronicles which details the history of the magnetic compass since its invention in the 16th Century.
The compass, besides being a lifeline to every Adventurer "off the beaten path",
was first used in Italy for travel purposes where a ship's course could be constantly monitored (leading to exploration and world trade).
Kornelia will be also be bringing some examples of magnetic compasses for Club members to examine.
Kornelia is also a Champion "Gamer"; winning the CGDC Quake Tournament, the All Female Quake Tournament, The Queen of the Hill Tournament and the First Rocket Arena Tournament.
Kornelia was born in Budapest, Hungary and now lives in Los Angeles, CA.
April 14, 2011 - Jim Dorsey - The Voodoo Trail of West Africa
Theodore Lehman was originally scheduled for this night and was unable to make it due to a medical emergency.
We wish him well in his recovery and hope to reschedule him soon.
Fortunately for us, our member Jim Dorsey, #1081, stepped up, and on short notice, has agreed to do a presentation on The Voodoo Trail of West Africa.
This presentation was entirely different from the show he did with Pierre Odier #988 and Alan Feldstein #1094 on August 26, 2010.
Jim concentrated more on the voodoo aspect of their very interesting expedition.
While we cannot reveal the identity of this guest at this time, you will not want to miss this event. Be sure to make your plans now to be here at the Club.
April 28, 2011 - Sgt. Frank Orzio USMC Retired - Vietnam War 1968
A riveting personal account of front line action and what it was like during the Vietnam War in 1968.
SGT. Frank Orzio USMC Ret. served in I-Corps Southwest of Danang in the Rocketbelt area also known as Happy Valley
and was with the First Battalion 7TH Marines in the 1ST Division.
SGT. Orzio was a squad leader in "Suicide Charley Company" of Chesty Puller fame
and took part in many company sweeps and patrols including Operation Swift, Operation Worth, Charley Tower and the Mameluke Thrust.
On September 26h 1968, SGT. Orzio was transporting wounded men on a 2.5 ton truck when
his group was caught in a deadly ambush and hit a land mine which killed many on board.
Severely wounded losing his left leg and knee cap, right jaw and partially paralyzed, Sgt. Orzio spent the next 27 months recovering in the hospital.
Today SGT. Frank Orzio has his own ministry
www.woundedwarriorministry.com
and is continually helping others in need.
Frank Orzio enlisted in the USMC in August 1967.
He served in Vietnam from January to September 1968 in the ''I-Corps'' area...
27 mi. S/W Danang in the ''RocketBelt area...''Happy Valley''... Tut Loan Province...
Hill 22 by hill 55 area.
Served with the First Battalion 7th. Marines, First Marine Division.
''Suicide Charley'' Company. ''Chesty Puller's'' Boyz... Featured in ''H.B.O.'s''..Pacific Series.
Attached to the ''106's'' Team as a Squad Leader...Assigned to ''Charley Tower'' Main Operations...Operation 'Swift...Operation Worth...
Operation Mameluke Thrust, Many Company Sweeps and Patrols... Featured in ''Leatherneck'' Magazine Cover Story, ''Suicide Patrol'' this past year.
Frank Orzio has received two (2) Purple Hearts.
Deadly Ambush in Sept. 26, 1968 by a Land Mine, killing many men on a 6 by truck coming from a ''Med. Pick up''
Severally Wounded, losing left leg, left knee cap right jaw and becoming partially paralyzed.
Spent total of 27 months in Hospital total.
After Frank's Mother Died at age 10, he was raised by his Aunt, with his Cousin.
Both Enlisted together in Marines under ''Buddy System.' Cousin Alex Waigandt Received three (3) Purple Hearts.
Frank and Alex were on the truck together after picking up Alex from the Da-Nang Hospital after receiving his second Purp!
Frank took the initial blast and Machine Gun hits!
Alex was the ONLY Walking Survivor of the Explosion and Ambush.
He helped other men, then found Frank and saved his life by holding ''Fingers'' in my Neck Artery!
Frank Orzio has been married 4 times, Has had a Successful 30 yr. Postal Career, 25 of them as a Manager in the Santa Ana District.
Founded The ''Wounded Warrior Ministry'' after becoming a Pastor at the Request of the
United States Marines whom he Always visited at Camp Pendleton and currently performs Chaplain Services for 5 Veterans Groups.