[amsat-bb] Re: Need another reason to attend the AMSAT Symposium?

[Roger Kolakowski]

Wow...another MAJOR international good will accomplishment for Amateur 
Radio...Patrick, YOU ARE THE MAN!

Roger
WA1KAT

On 10/12/2012 11:49 AM, Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) wrote:
> Hi!
>
> The AMSAT Symposium in Orlando is two weeks away.  If you need another
> reason to attend besides all the activities that are being planned
> around the event, here is something to consider.  Hector Martinez
> CO6CBF, an active satellite ham and the first Cuban ham to obtain the
> ARRL's satellite VUCC award, will be at the Symposium.  Hector will
> give a presentation during the Symposium, and is looking forward to
> meeting those he has worked on the satellites.
>
> I wanted to say more about this earlier, but the process for Hector to
> get the proper documents from the US and Cuban governments to make the
> trip has not been easy.  This has been in the works for at least six
> months, with no guarantee that Hector would receive all the necessary
> paperwork in time to attend the Symposium.  Lots of people in the US
> and in Cuba have been working hard to lay the groundwork for this trip
> to happen.  A big thank-you goes to AMSAT, for extending a formal
> invitation to Hector to attend and give a presentation.  This invitation
> was the starting block for Hector to approach both governments and file
> applications to get the required paperwork for this trip - a Cuban
> passport and travel permit, along with a US visa.  I will compile a
> list of those who have assisted in this effort and post that later.
>
> In order for Hector to make this trip, all expenses for his trip must
> be guaranteed by someone outside Cuba.  I have taken on that task
> personally on behalf of AMSAT, even signing legally-binding documents
> for the Cuban government to that end.  With that said, if anyone would
> like to help me with the expenses for this trip, please contact me
> directly.  AMSAT is not picking up the expenses related to Hector's
> trip, and won't be involved in collecting funds.  I am not going to
> have a nice PayPal widget, but will go "old school" for that - send
> me a check or money order to my PO box in Arizona.  I will keep track
> of any contributions toward Hector's trip, and list them on a web
> page which I will set up this weekend.
>
> I know Hector has been looking forward to making this trip.  Hector
> called me this morning after he received the call that his passport
> with US visa were ready to be picked up in Havana.  It was easy to
> hear the happiness and excitement in his voice, despite the rough
> telephone connection.  I'm looking forward to seeing him come out
> of Customs in the Miami airport in two weeks, and taking him up to
> Orlando....
>
> 73!
>
>
>
>
>
> Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK
> http://www.wd9ewk.net/
>
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