The Greentown Grapevine – 2002-10, 09:10

              1' Volume 9, Issue 10 " a Duper for the people" October 2002
Greentown Remembers
Brad Flook, Commander of American
Legion Post # 317, coordinated a
Patriot Day - A Day to Remember on
Sept. 11,2002. The event was held on
the street downtown Greentown.
Estimates of 1,000 or more people
gathered to hear music and remarks,
participate in patriotic ceremonies,
observe laying of wreaths and hear a
Proclamation.
Many remarks were heard that the
event brought people downtown in a
way not seen since coming to town for
weekly shopping trips, dinner, and
visiting was a custom. There were
comments that maybe such gatherings
could become more regular.
More photos on pages 8 & 9.
Photo by Jim Nelligan
- ~~
~~ One of Greentown's Own
to be Speaker at Dinner
Michael McCannk name may not yet
$ e familiar to many Greentown
, esidents, but those who hear him speak
it the Greentown Historical Society
tnnual dinner will not soon forget this
nan of remarkable experiences and
ichievement. TV shows such as " West
Wing", " The Ageixy" and " The
Iistrict" are currently popular.
Akewise, a radio program of the 1950' s
was " The F. B. I. in Peace and War".
McCann's career put him in positions
where he could have been in these and
; imilar shows. But, his life is " The
Real Thing". The audience will hear
First- hand stories from one who lived
he life of a crime buster, G- man,
3rofessor, diplomat and warrior.
His career in law enforcement
includes being a trooper with the
Indiana State Police and serving as a
Special Agent of the FBI. In I957 he
wcepted an invitation by the Agency
for International Development of the
U. S. State Department to go to Iran as
3 training advisor with the General
Dolice Administration of Iran. He later
, erved the A. I. D. in Brazil,
Washington, D. C., Vietnam, Chile,
gonduras, Saudi Arabia, United Arab
tepublic ( Egypt), Panama, Laos,
New Features of Pump Fest Prove Popular
A
Thailand, and the Philippines. During
this time he was promoted to the top
career rank in the Foreign Service.
At the personal request of Bobby
Kennedy he established and served as
the first Director of the International
Police Academy in Washington, D. C.
McCann reported to Kennedy and the
various other leaders of " Cold War"
agencies withh our government.
McCann states that " Bobby followed
our progress personally ( A senior
member of his staff was an advisor to
my office.) He visited and spoke at the
Academy." McCann will be bringing
photos of Bobby's visits.
He subsequently served as Director of
a massive police assistance program for
the National Police of Vietnam. This
program utilized over 400 American
advisors and specialists, about 200
third country advisory and technical
people, and a local Vietnamese staff of
over 400 support personnel. The
annual budget for this program
averaged about $ 70,000,000.00.
He retired from the Foreign Service
in late 1975 and returned to Indiana.
Indiana University assigned him, under
contractual arrangements with the
State, as the Project Director and
Coordinator for a number of citizens
committees appointed by the Governor
to promulgate criminal justice
standards and goals.
Current events concerning terrorism
and homeland security make this first-hand
account of efforts in the 1950' s
through the mid 1970' s to keep
America and the rest of the world safer
particularly timely.
A graduate of Greentown High
School, Mr. McCann now resides in
Farmington, Missouri.
Reservations are required for the
dinner, which will cost $ 10 for adults
and $ 5 for children. Call Ronald
Simpson, 765- 628- 7674 or Lisa Stout,
888- 649- 0400 no later than Monday,
November 4.
The evening will also include a silent
auction. Some items pledged so far
are: a Liberty Bear, Joe Rice 2002
paperweight, Picture of Indiana
Territorial Capitol Building, Hallmark
Bee Proud Miniature figurine,
Greentown Sesquicentennial mug,
political buttons, Bake and deliver to
your home: Jan - apple cake, Feb-carrot
cake, Mar - Robert Redford
dessert, each in 8" x- 8'' pan.
Rachel Brayand Kristina Bontrager with their winning chalk art
A new feature of the Pump Fest was \ y inners were:
chalk art. Squares were marked off in Rachel Bray & Kristina Bontrager,
the middle of the street and people President's Award
were invited to create a work of art. Hedges Family, Most Patriotic
There were fifty- one participants. The Laura Cook, Best Pump Theme
final result made a I colorful Emily DeAngulo, hbsf Creative
checkerboard on Meridian Street,
,
Photo by Rachel Jenkins