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TEN ROMEO NEWSLETTER

Report 67

Spring, 2000

Dear Friends:

FANTASTIC!!!!!!      FANTASTIC!!!!!!!        FANTASTIC!!!!!!!

Recently I flew TEN ROMEO home from OXFORD AVIATION, INC. in Oxford, Maine, following six weeks of attention to paint touch-up.

Last year a colleague at my home base needed transportation to pick up his aircraft after it had been repainted there.  I'm always looking for a good reason to fly TEN ROMEO so off we went.

It is surprising the interest TEN ROMEO generates when dropping into a new location.

Oxford was no different.  The extensive history that's displayed on both sides of the fuselage is rather striking when first viewed.

In short order, Jim Horowitz and Larry Guilford were casting their practiced eyes over TEN ROMEO.  "Mil, this remarkable bird needs some TLC!  We could provide what's needed!"  And so - arrangements were made to improve the appearance of TEN ROMEO.

It was agreed that the plane could not be stripped and repainted; the historic value of records, accomplishments and sponsors printed on the sides of the plane would be lost.

However, the attention received gives TEN ROMEO the appearance of a new paint job!

The red paint was dull due to exposure to the sun for many years, but through compounding and waxing, it was brought back close to its original vibrancy.  Several corrosion spots were worked out and repainted, the printing was retouched, the front area of the cowl and lower section of the engine covering were stripped and redone (all rain chips are gone), and the overall appearance was enhanced beyond any expectation.  TEN ROMEO is now as bright as a new penny, and while there are a few additional goals to accomplish and several good years of flying left, I know it can be made beautiful for its retirement to a museum.  (Call Jim and/or Larry at 207-539-4779 for any paint needs for your aircraft.  You'll never be sorry!)

* * * * * * *

TRAVEL TO TALLINN

I made a quick trip in March to Tallinn, Estonia, where I had an exciting time.

PROGRESS ON THE BALTIC MISSION CENTER & CHURCH

An important goal while in Tallinn was to check on Rev. Olav's progress toward accomplishing his "dream".  Those of you who have shared these reports for any length of time know Rev. Dr. Olav Parnamets leads the largest Methodist congregation on the continent of Europe.  Olav's congregation of 900 lived through desperate times when simply entering a church carried great risk of losing one's job.  Living under such dire circumstances has given us all insight about Christian commitment.

When I first met Brother Olav in the 1980's he had a magnificent dream!  His church building had been destroyed in 1940 at the start of the war.  The Seventh Day Adventists were generous and shared their facilities, but Olav's vision was to construct a new church for his flock.  And, with the bright future ahead sparked by Estonia' s return to sovereignty, a training seminary would be combined with the church.

While in Tallinn I witnessed tremendous progress toward the accomplishment of that needed facility!  The seminary area has been completed and there are sixty-five students now enrolled.

Olav's careful planning has come to fulfillment and attests to the tenacity of the human soul.  The design represents his insight and is both beautiful and functional - a graceful structure reaching to the heavens, facing east as a mark of faith that there was always hope during fifty years of occupation.

The floor plan is the reflection of the Lord's work through Brother Olav: the meeting area in the center of the Mission with the food serving area to the rear and the dining area to the right, classrooms and offices on each of the two floors surrounding the meeting area, the cantilevered stairs which provide a pulpit for use until the sanctuary is complete, and a well stocked library.

The use of materials requiring a minimum of maintenance reflects vision, and guarantees the longevity of the total structure.  The sanctuary will become the showplace of Methodism on the continent of Europe for the millennium.

Korean Methodists provided a gift of one million dollars that was a major assist at the beginning of Olav's quest.  Many helpers joined in Olav's dream.  I was particularly pleased when the BOARD OF GLOBAL MISSIONS of the UNITED METHODIST CHURCH became a partner with Olav and his congregation and contributed $790,020.00 toward construction.

To date 4.4 million dollars has been raised.  The final thrust for $200,000.00 is underway and will complete the fellowship area below the sanctuary.  Dedication of the church will be on September 10, 2000.  If you would care to attend the dedication, let me know.  We hope to have a group from the States in attendance, and look forward to this exciting event.

With completion of the BALTIC MISSION CENTER & CHURCH the worshiping congregation in Tallinn will be strengthened, as will areas where graduates choose to serve in Russia and eastern Europe.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS

When the US Embassy was opened in Tallinn following the Estonian Parliament's vote to return to sovereignty, AID attention was focused upon Lake Pepsi (Perpus Sea) which lies to the north on the border between Estonia and Russia.  This body of water contains effluents from both Russian and Estonian communities.  Some time ago the responsibility for clean-up was returned to the Estonian Parliament.  It is expected that Estonia will eventually join the European Union, at which time there may be more focus on Lake Pepsi.  Preliminary plans are already in process, and the resume of an environmental specialist here in Delmar has been requested for his possible involvement in future corrective action.

The most active environmental action at the moment is situated in Ameri, a town about fifty miles west of Tallinn.  The largest Soviet air base was located there, and apparently considerable fuel, oil, and other materials were dumped when the base was closed and the Soviet troops left.  I understand work in this area is being handled by a joint venture between the US EPA and Sweden.

Ten years ago I became aware of a critical problem in the North Sea.  Following WWII, large stores of German war materials were placed there, including poison gasses that were stockpiled but not used.  In earlier days I was aware of fish being caught in that area having mutations that prevented them from being eaten.  This has become worse in recent years, and I understand the problem is now receiving the attention so critically needed for clean-up.

AMBASSADOR ROBERT C. FRASURE

My friendship with Ambassador Frasure was much too short.  Research indicates he was a highly decorated State Department official.

Ambassador Frasure received posthumously the ORDER OF MAARIMAA, the highest Estonian award voted by the Estonian Parliament.

From the State Department he received two SUPERIOR HONOR AWARDs.  On June 4, 1991, President Bush awarded him the PRESIDENTIAL MEDAL FOR EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE for his role in the downfall of the Mengistu regime in Ethiopia, and the rescue of more than 15,000 Ethiopian Jews who were airlifted to Israel.  While he was ambassador, the Estonian Embassy received the LEAMON-HUNT AWARD for the best managed post, and the BEST REPORTING AWARD.

Other honors in Bob's memory: President Chirac, on his State Visit here in February of 1996 "ordained" him an OFFICER OF THE LEGION OF HONOR.  Bob received the SECRETARY'S AWARD, the highest award given by the Secretary of State, and the CITIZEN'S MEDAL bestowed by President Clinton.

The State Department created the ROBERT C. FRASURE MEMORIAL AWARD for effective peace talk/negotiations which is given annually in the form of a certificate and a check.

Several scholarship funds and memorial lectures have been established in Bob's name in the US and Estonia.  While in Tallinn in March, I committed a modest contribution in Bob's name to the BALTIC MISSION CENTER & METHODIST CHURCH.

This partial list of Ambassador Frasure' s awards indicates the esteem in which he was held by his colleagues and government leaders.  His life had the excitement, accomplishment, and proven "change-agent" track record to become a best selling book with a movie sequel.  Let's find an accomplished writer to do justice to Bob!  He should have more visibility!

GREETINGS

Had a wonderful time visiting Sergey Zezulin and his family, the youngster brought to the States for a physical and psychological review.  He's now thirteen years old and quite grown up.  He sends greetings to all of his American friends!