Month: February 2015

ECWG explorers and guests gather at an informal Saturday brunch on March 14, 2015

ECWG explorers and guests gather at an informal Saturday brunch on March 14, 2015

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EGWG members and their guests met their fellow explorers, including some of the ECWG’s most experienced explorers, at an informal brunch on Saturday, March 14, at the National Press Club’s (NPC) Fourth Estate restaurant.

 

The experienced explorers spoke briefly and answer questions:

  • Lee Talbot MED ’57 and Marty Talbot FN ’04, who are both winners of major Explorers Club honors. Lee received the 2009 Explorers Medal for his “extraordinary contributions to exploration, scientific research and human welfare.” His wife, Marty received the Explorers Club’s 2013 Lowell Thomas Award as “a pioneering conservationist for her 56-year dedication to ecological research in more than 60 countries on four continents.”

 

  • Craig Cook, MN ’01, is a physician who is involved in undersea exploration and undersea medicine. As a physician he is especially interested in the mechanisms of decompression sickness and its treatment in remote locations. He has been an active diver for more than 40 years and is a diving instructor for the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI).

 

  • Sarah Yeomans, FN 07, is an archaeologist specializing in the Imperial period of the Roman Empire with a particular emphasis on religions and ancient science. She is a faculty member in the department of Religious Studies at West Virginia University, and is also the Director of Educational Programs at the Biblical Archaeology Society in Washington, D.C. She has conducted archaeological fieldwork in Israel, Italy, Turkey, France and England and has worked on several television and film productions.

This informal question and answer session around the table was attended by nearly 2 dozen people.  The event was quite successful and similar events will be planned in the near future.

 

 

Former ECWG chair spoke on “The Liberation of Dachau”

Former ECWG chair spoke on “The Liberation of Dachau”

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Alan Lukens, ME 78, spoke on “The Liberation of Dachau, a Major Event in My Career” at noon Tuesday, March 17 at the DACOR. Ringgold-Carroll House, 1801 F St NW, Washington, DC 20006

Lukens was ECWG Chair in 2003 and 2004.

He says: “Near the close of WWII in Europe, I took part in the liberation of Dachau in April 1945 as a member of the Army’s 20th Armored Division, which was at different times part of the 1st, 3rd, and 7th Armies, having also served in the 10th Mountain Division.

“The stark contrast between the treatment meted out to the survivors with the lush lifestyle of the Nazi camp guards left us with no illusions.

“I returned to Dachau in 1995, 2005, and 2010 and plan to attend this year’s 70th anniversary as one of the representatives of the American troops who took part in the liberation in 1954.”  He also hopes to meet some of the survivers again.

In his March 17 talk Lukens will also discuss other aspects of his international diplomatic career following the war.

In 1951 Lukens joined the U.S. Foreign Service and served in many countries around the world before retiring in 1987. Hi  list of service accomplishments includes serving as were: U.S.  Representative to four African independences in 1960, as Director of Iberian Affairs  at the Department of State during the Portuguese revolution, and as Consul general in Cape Town during the South African apartheid era.

He attended Princeton University 1942-1943 before, as he puts it, “taking a study break for the war.” He graduated in 1948 Cum Laude from the Woodrow Wilson School. He followed that with studies at the Sorbonne and the University of Madrid.

Jack Williams FN’98 and Alan Lukens ME’78. Photo by Darlene Shields.
Jack Williams FN’98 and Alan Lukens ME’78. Photo by Darlene Shields.
News briefs, 1st Quarter 2015

News briefs, 1st Quarter 2015

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Tell us what you have been up to.

Please send me information about your  expeditions, honors, or other accomplishments that you want to share with your fellow explorers.   We will publish your activities  on the ECWG website on this page and submit it for publication for the Explorers Log.  Email it to Joe Witte, ECWG, public relations chair, joewittewx@yahoo.com

Michael Manyak, MED 92, appeared on a television show, a radio show, and gave a talk in California about health and security issues for travelers. These were related to the

Dr. Michael Manyak
Dr. Michael Manyak

release of the book Lizard Bites and Street Riots co-authored by him along with Dr. Joyce Johnson FN 03 and Warren Young about that topic. His talk was  for the Southern California Explorers Club chapter.  at the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana. It was entitled Travel Health and Security: Key Points To Keep You Safe and was followed by a book signing.

Dr. Manyak was the guest of Rudy Maxa on “Rudy Maxa’s World,” the country’s most widely syndicated travel radio show, where he discussed travel health and security pitfalls and the book. He also appeared on the Washington DC NBC News affiliate show “Let’s Talk Live” to discuss health and security issues for travelers.

On Feb. 28 Dr. Manyak discussed his book, using stories from some of his many expeditions to illustrate a few of the medical issues that explorers sometimes encounter and how to prepare for them.

 

Memorial service for Robert H. Simpson held on Feb. 19, 2015

Memorial service for Robert H. Simpson held on Feb. 19, 2015

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A memorial service for Robert H. (Bob) Simpson, FE 79, who died on Dec, 19, 2014, was held on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2015 at the Foundry Methodist Church in Washington. Dr. Simpson was 102 years old when he died. To the public he was best-known as the “Simpson” in the categories 1 to 5 scale of hurricane strength. To atmospheric scientists and weather forecasters  he was a towering figure in the history of hurricane research and forecasting.On March 8, 2014 the ECWG held a luncheon at the Cosmos Club honoring Dr. Simpson. The Sunday, Dec. 12, 2014 Washington Post has an informative obituary on Dr Simpson.