Varnum Continentals

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[SPEAKING PROGRAM] November Varnum Member Dinner & Speaking Program Features Brian Wallin: “Edson F. Gallaudet — A Rhode Island Aviation Pioneer”

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Edson F. Gallaudet -- A Rhode Island Aviation Pioneer
Edson F. Gallaudet — A Rhode Island Aviation Pioneer

THIS EVENT IS OPEN TO VARNUM MEMBERS AND THEIR GUESTS.

Drive north of East Greenwich along Post Road, and you’ll see a handsome white-shingled house on the corner of Alger Avenue. It is all that remains of the Gallaudet Aircraft Company, brainchild of Edson Fessenden Gallaudet, a Rhode Island aviation pioneer. Varnum Trustee Brian Wallin brings Gallaudet’s story and its impact on modern flight to our November 2015 meeting.

Edson Gallaudet, a member of the RI Aviation Hall of Fame, is credited with the invention of the warped wing, which was used by the Wright Brothers. He went on to invent an unusual, gear-driven propulsion system for powered aircraft. Gallaudet brought his company from Connecticut to Rhode Island in 1915 and set up shop on Chepiwanoxet Island, eventually employing nearly 1000 people in manufacturing his sleek seaplane designs for the US Army and Navy during World War I. After the war, business declined and the company could no longer survive, despite some interesting attempts.

Gallaudet’s vision lasted just about a decade. He sold his interest in the factory (there is a surprising twist to that part of the story). The plant was used for a variety of ventures until the property was ultimately destroyed by hurricanes in 1954 and 1960. Today, the land is a nature preserve operated by the City of Warwick and the Warwick Conservation Commission.

Brian Wallin, a veteran broadcast news reporter and producer, is the November 2015 guest speaker for the Varnum Continentals.
Brian Wallin, a veteran broadcast news reporter and producer, is the November 2015 guest speaker for the Varnum Continentals.

Brian Wallin, a veteran broadcast news reporter and producer, worked in Hartford, Providence, and Boston while contributing to ABC, CBS, and NBC news. He also covered the America’s Cup yacht races from 1967-83 for CBS Sports and the 2UE Network in Australia. After 20 years in broadcast journalism, Brian became a hospital management executive, serving in senior leadership roles in MA and MD before returning to RI in the 1990s. He served as Vice President of South County and Kent Hospitals, retiring in 2009. He remains active on several hospital committees. In addition to his writing and freelance voice-over work, Brian is an avid model ship builder and guitarist. He has been a member of the Varnum Continentals since 2009 and a Trustee since 2012.

IMPORTANT: Please RSVP by FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6, to Scott Seaback at 401-413-6277 or by email at scott@ritemps.com.

Meeting Date: Monday, November 9, 2015
Time: 5:30 p.m. (social hour); 6:30 p.m. (dinner followed by program)
Fee: $15/person

OCTOBER GUEST SPEAKER: John W. Kennedy, Director of Museum Education Naval War College Museum

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John W. Kennedy, Director - Naval War College Museum
John W. Kennedy, Director – Naval War College Museum

The Varnum Continentals welcome John W. Kennedy, Director of Museum Education Naval War College Museum, as the guest speaker at our October dinner and annual meeting at the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum on Monday, October 19, 2015.  This event is open to Varnum Continental Members and their guests only (join the Varnum Continentals here).

Kennedy entered Aviation Officer Candidate School in Pensacola, and was commissioned in 1974. Following designation as a Naval Flight Officer, he joined his first squadron, VP-04, in May of 1975.

Throughout his 20-year career, Kennedy served in a variety of antisubmarine warfare billets in patrol squadron tours, in the USS Constellation (CV-64) as a Tactical Action Officer, with the Personnel Exchange Program (PEP) with the Royal Air Force, to Wing operations. At the Center for Naval Warfare Studies at the Naval War College, he conducted research in support of Pentagon and Fleet Commanders’ tasking. His final assignment prior to retirement was as Exec. Assistant to the Director, Naval Command College.

Following retirement, Kennedy taught at the high school level before going into. He earned an MA in Counseling and an MS in Labor and Industrial Relations. He began work at the Naval War College Museum as the Director of Museum Education and Community Outreach in 2008.

Naval War College Museum (Founder Hall)
Naval War College Museum (Founder Hall)

The Naval War College Museum collects, preserves, and exhibits artifacts and documents dating from the 1500s to the present day to interpret the naval history of Narragansett Bay and the Naval War College as well as the history of naval strategy.

ANNUAL MEETING: The October meeting is also the Annual Meeting for the Varnum Continentals, in accordance with our by-laws. Nominees for office and open trustee positions will be presented and voted upon.

Please RSVP by FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, to Scott Seaback at 401/413-6277 or by email at scott@ritemps.com.

Meeting Date: Monday, October 19
Time: 5:30 p.m. (social hour); 6:30 p.m. (dinner followed by program)
Fee: $15/person

[GALLERY] September 2015 Member Dinner a Great Success!

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Our monthly member dinner featured Frank J. Williams, Lincoln Scholar & Former Chief Justice, Supreme Court of RI. There was also great food and even better company!  Check out the gallery!

Would you like to attend great speaking programs like this? Join the Varnum Continentals today!

[MEMBERS ONLY] SEPTEMBER GUEST SPEAKER: Frank J. Williams, Lincoln Scholar & Former Chief Justice, Supreme Court of RI

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ONLY VARNUM CONTINENTAL MEMBERS MAY ATTEND THIS EVENT!
TO JOIN, JUST CLICK HERE.

Frank J. Williams is a former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Rhode Island, a notable Abraham Lincoln scholar and author, and a Justice on the Military Commission Review Panel.
Frank J. Williams is a former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Rhode Island, a notable Abraham Lincoln scholar and author, and a Justice on the Military Commission Review Panel.

The Varnum Continentals welcome Frank J. Williams, a former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Rhode Island, as the guest speaker at our September dinner meeting at the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum on Monday, September 14, 2015.

Williams is one of the country’s most renowned experts on Abraham Lincoln and has authored numerous books on our 16th president, including “Lincoln as Hero” and “Judging Lincoln”. He has also contributed chapters to and/or edited several other books on Lincoln. He is founding Chair of The Lincoln Forum, and served as President of The Ulysses S. Grant Association and as a member of the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission.

A native of Richmond, RI, Mr. Williams is a graduate of Cranston East High School and received degrees from Boston University, BU School of Law, and Bryant University. He served as a captain in the US Army in the 1960s, and was awarded numerous medals and commendations for his military service. He was appointed to the RI Supreme Court in 1995 and became Chief Justice is 2001. He has also served as Chief Judge of the US Court of Military Commission Review.  Since stepping down from the Rhode Island Supreme Court at the end of 2009, he has lectured at universities and institutes throughout the country.

Please join us for what promises to be a most informative meeting.  As always, your guests of members are welcome.  Thanks to Varnum Member Larry McDonald for arranging for the speaker.

Meeting Date: Monday, September 14
Time: 5:30 p.m. (social hour); 6:30 p.m. (dinner followed by program)
Fee: $15/person

ONLY VARNUM CONTINENTAL MEMBERS MAY ATTEND THIS EVENT!
TO JOIN, JUST CLICK HERE.

About the Varnum Continentals

The Varnum Continentals are committed to the preservation of the historic heritage of our community, our state, and our nation. Please take a virtual tour of our museums to learn more about our mission to encourage patriotism. You can participate with us through active membership and/or philanthropic support in our non-profit organization. Donations are tax deductible to the full extent allowed by law. Museum tours are welcomed and our facilities may be rented for suitable events.

Our Mission

The Varnum Continentals are committed to encourage patriotism through the Varnum Armory Museum, the Continental Militia, and the James Mitchell Varnum House and thus to preserve, support, and communicate the military history of our community, our state, and our nation.

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