The Washington (evening) Rotary Club met Thursday night at the Washington Yacht & Country Club in the upper deck overlooking the boats on Broad Creek. President David McLawhorn welcomed members and guests and led in the Pledge of Allegiance. McLawhorn also announced that he brought another Salvation Army Angel Tree for anyone wanting to adopt a child’s Christmas wish list. Todd Williamston led the singing of America the Beautiful, and Russell Smith offered a blessing and prayer for the upcoming meal. Rocky Jacobs gave a lighthearted Health & Happiness report.

Following the meal, program chairman Jeff Lawson introduced our speaker, Al Powell. Al Powell is a 30-year veteran of Federal Bureau of Investigation and is now retired from the FBI, and serves as president of the Beaufort County Police Activities League (PAL) and an instructor in Beaufort County Community College’s Basic Law Enforcement Training program. He spoke specifically about PAL and the work that is done with middle-school children to broaden their horizons and give them a better understanding of the world around them. Powell told the Rotarians that PAL, through their science and technology programs, works to improve relations between the young people and not only the police but all first responders. PAL’s four objectives are: 1. hands-on training; 2. reduce crime; 3. serve at-risk kids, regardless of social or economic status; and 4. improve trust and communication. PAL strives to instill self worth in all the people that they serve. In addition, PAL partnerships with the Boys & Girls Club, faith-based organizations, the Washington Housing Authority, the Boy Scouts, and the Little Washington Sailing School.

PAL students learned swimming, snorkeling and sailing. They also learned about the principles of flight, then trained on a flight simulator, and finally actually flew on a plane, which surely must have been a thrill for anyone who had never been on a plane. Powell stated that on Saturday all the students would have the opportunity to fly again and for an extended period of time out of Warren Field. Powell went on to say that PAL’s flight-training program was the only one in North Carolina that is certified by the Federal Aviation Administration.

Following his power point presentation, Powell received a resounding round of applause for a fine presentation and an excellent report on a fine organization, which is serving the youth in our community in a most remarkable way. President McLawhorn then presented Powell with a highly coveted Rotary pen.

The meeting concluded with the members reciting the Four Way Test of the things we think, say and do.