On Sunday, April 22nd, the JFK Rotary hosted the Tom Carmody Memorial 5K Run on the Runway. It was the 25th consecutive year that the Rotary has held this event at JFK International Airport. Sunday’s gorgeous weather (sunny and mild) contributed to the fact that nearly 290 runners turned out to run on the runway. Our own Chris Perez, Unit Terminal Buildings Supervisor, participated for the very first time and finished with a respectable time of 33:12. JetBlue Airways, graciously allowed an Embrare aircraft to be positioned at the turn of the runway/racecourse for runners’ enjoyment. Several airlines (Maxjet, Spirit, JetBlue, Delta, Aerosvit) contributed tickets that the JFK Rotary either awarded to the first place runners or raffled off to participants. The race is notable because no other race distributes trips to Europe and elsewhere as awards. This year’s race was also inspirational because of the courage, grit and determination of one runner, Stephanie Reynolds of Jamaica, New York. Ms. Reynolds, a 50- something, physically challenged adult, walked the entire racecourse with the aid of a cane. She finished in just under two hours. Her efforts showed that despite major obstacles “mountains can be climbed.”

Pictured are the children of FAA employees, with Maria P. Crisci-Munafo, FWP Manager, FAA. This event included a tour of the Port 1 Helicopter, the K-9 Unit and the Port Authority Crash, Fire, Rescue Site at JFK.

Last month a DC-4 built in 1946 came in to JFK to fly four large tubs of rare fish to aquariums in Florida which came from Europe. The aircraft was still very much original.

Held at Russo's on the Bay, sponsored by Christ for the World Chapel at JFK

American Airlines employees present a check to Marlo Thomas for St. Jude’s Children’s research hospital. Through a series of bake sales, raffles and other fund raising activities, employees of American Airlines in the tri-state area raised over six thousand dollars to support St Jude. Thomas gave a heartfelt thank you to the employees for their continued support of the children at St Jude, and others that would benefit from their research. St Jude’s located in Memphis Tennessee allows these children to be cared for in an environment that promotes healing and caring. No child is turned away because of their inability to pay; that’s where the employees at AA helped. The check presented is huge as it represents the hard work, dedication, and sacrifices of the men and women of American Airlines.

After a hiatus of just over 3 years, Victor Vongs has returned as the General Manager of the recently sold Holiday Inn at JFK. With seven years of JFK experience, the community is delighted to have Victor back. Victor has always been a strong supporter of our community. His attendance at the Bishop Wright Luncheon Awards reminds us that he was the 1999 recipient of the Man of the Year Award. Many organizations represented by their presidents/past presidents greeted Victor with appreciation for his community spirit. Victor understands the needs of JFK, and, let it be known that he's back. The new ownership obviously is serious to establish the Holiday Inn at JFK as the new leader in service,

service, and more service. Victor's integrity is well known, and the aviation industry at JFK could not be happier.

The same cast of characters that has given us the Hurricane Katrina debacle, the current Social Security mess, a southern border that is hemorrhaging people, and a $500 toilet seat, are now ready to manage our airlines. Amidst testimony by JetBlue’s chief executive, David Neeleman, Rep. James Oberstar, D-Minnesota offered his own “sage advice” on how to solve the problem. But lets look at Oberstar’s record* – not one job in private industry since graduating college in 1956. 50 years feeding off the public trough. Just what we need, people who have never spent a day in their life working for a private company telling

private companies how to manage their business.