FEBRUARY 2008 I VOLUME 2, ISSUE 1 The Official Information and Visitor’s Guide for the Jacksonville Aviation Authority Jacksonville International Airport • Craig Airport • Herlong Airport • Cecil Field IssueInside This Proud to be an AMERICAN Muriel Walravens-Couch SECURITY New Technology for Safety EVENTS In St. Augustine, FL FROM THE Contents PUBLISHER JACKSONVILLE JETSETTER WINTER 2008 FEATURE STORIES PAGE 1 Jacksonville Jetsetter, The Official Information and Visitor’s Guide for the Jacksonville Aviation Proud to be an American Authority, serves Jacksonville International Airport, By Muriel Walravens-Couch Craig Airport, Cecil Field, Herlong Airport and PAGE 2 Jacksonville’s Metropolitan Area. The Jacksonville Jetsetter will take you inside the Jacksonville Aviation Authority in an Security Program effort to keep you informed of the many issues surrounding your Craig Airport to participate in Florida security demonstration program airport system, and the services provided. Each issue will spotlight private airline companies, concessionaires, businesses operating in our airports, and private PAGE 3 companies that are part of the tapestry of the aviation industry. These companies provide revenue that funds the day-to-day operations so that public tax dollars Events at: are not required. The Aviation Authority and its Partners maintain runways, The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens hangars, terminal buildings, air cargo, airport grounds and road connections to PAGE 4 the public highway system. The companies spotlighted also contribute to the overall economy of Jacksonville by creating jobs and investing in our community. Good Tips Vacations and your pet Unfasten your seat belt, let your hair down, place your seat in the reclining PAGE 6 position and enjoy Jacksonville Jetsetter. First Coast Aerospace Capabilities and the Principals EDITORIAL PAGE 7 Since the creation of the Jacksonville Aviation Authority, October 1, 2001, Africa’s Living Arts rebuilding the landside terminal, the central square and main concessions “The Spirit of the Masquerade” at Ritz Theatre & area, as well as consolidating the security checkpoints to a single location, LaVilla Museum and adding more parking capacity has been completed. Concourses A and C PAGE 11 of the airside terminal (which for the most part are built to late-1960s standards) are being completely replaced with more spacious, modern facilities which will Recipe also house more gates. These two new concourses are slated to open in the Almond Crusted Fresh Fish spring of 2009. Recently passed, but not finalized, is the City Council’s approval of a 1600-foot extension of the runway at Craig Airport. This has been a PAGE 12 monumental effort by the Aviation Authority to make the airport safer for pilots, Air Taxi Draws Fliers passengers and the community. We too often oppose change without actualizing What sets DayJet apart from other private services the potential outcome if we were to keep with status quo. I remember when there was opposition to the building of JTB. Opponents said it was a road to nowhere. PAGE 14 “Nowhere” is now the major connection to communities, businesses, and the beaches. Our city is growing by leaps and bounds. The good thing is that this Historic St. Augustine An exciting winter season awaits growth is being managed and controlled better than any other major city I’ve ever visited. I support the Jacksonville Aviation Authority and the City Council’s PAGE 21 decision to extend Craig Airport’s runway. This extension will decrease the probability of an accident many fold. That’s my opinion! I welcome yours! Tourism Buzz Clay County Chamber of Commerce Sincerely, PAGE 22 Eric Demps, Publisher Greater Jacksonville USO Jacksonville Jetsetter USO opens new center & Operation Homefront PAGE 24 Produced by: Demps & Associates, Inc. For editorial inquiries or to contact the 1650 Art Museum DriveSuite 11 publisher by email: [email protected] Jacksonville, FL 32207 Business Programs Office: 904-398-6266 For advertising information please call: Disadvantaged Business Enterprise/Small Business Enterprise Programs Fax: 904-348-0957 904-398-6266 Layout / Design: The Robin Shepherd Group PAGE 26 This publication and its contents, including without limitation, copyrighted materials, trademarks, logos, service marks, trade dress, slogans, and other brand features are fully protected by applicable federal and state laws and may not be reproduced, Around the News in whole or in part, without the written consent of the Jacksonville Aviation Authority, or if different, the owner thereof. Any News from around our Airports information, opinions and views are not, and are not intended to be, representative of the views of any person or entity other than the creator or author of such information, opinion or view. Neither advertisers nor the Jacksonville Aviation Authority, or PAGE 28 its employees, agents or contractors, will be held responsible for errors or omissions found in the publication and any users of the publication acknowledges that such user must evaluate, and bear all risks associated with the use of the contents of the publication, including all risk related to the accuracy or completeness of such content. Reviews Quality Suites Oceanfront PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN BY MURIEL WALRAVENS-COUCH In 1912, Muriel Walravens-Couch’s great-grandfather and his sisters immigrated to the United States. They departed from Antwerp, Belgium, where so many Europeans left their home countries for the “Land of Opportunity”. They debarked on the Red Star Line, sister company of the White Star Line, whose “Titanic” tragically was lost earlier that same year. Muriel can remember her grandmother speaking about the fear on board when nearing the icebergs during the journey. “Everyone listened to the ship’s bells and sounds in the dark, foggy night. They were so afraid – they had left everything for this land of opportunity.” Arriving in Ellis Island, they were processed with so many others, ensuring there were no medical problems. They made their way to Detroit – where the Ford Motor Company was offering $5.00 a day salary, including housing. Thousands of immigrants flooded the country looking for work. Most of them did not speak English, but they proudly learned the language and their new country’s cultures. Muriel’s great-grandmother made guns for the Army during World War I, in faithful support of this country she loved so much. Then came the Great Depression of 1930 and many people lost everything they owned. In 1989, Muriel and her family moved back to the United States, first to North Carolina, then, after her husband’s death, to Florida in 2001. After Muriel’s grandfather decided to return to Belgium in 1935. He opened a the 9/11 attack on America, Muriel decided she wanted to become an hotel in downtown Brussels and named it the American Hotel, as he was American citizen. She became a citizen in 2004, just missing the opportunity so proud of the United States of America. Hitler came – people were to vote in that year’s Presidential election. She is very proud of the privilege terrified – and the war broke out. Muriel’s grandmother was a member to vote in the upcoming one. of the “underground”, smuggling food and American and British pilots to safety. Even though it was very dangerous, she had America in her heart – Muriel’s oldest son is now serving her country as a United States Marine. and that meant Freedom. Muriel’s mother recalls the Gestapo coming He currently serves as an air traffic controller and is stationed in Beaufort, into the hotel, pinning her to a table with a gun to her head when she was South Carolina. He strongly believes in the United States military, as does just eight years old. They said “Any Americans?” and “Where are your her 14-year old son, who has listened to his grandmother’s stories of what papers?” Muriel’s grandmother was forced to hide in the post office safe it means to live in fear. next door, because she had American papers. As an American citizen, Muriel was honored to be selected as one of Luckily, they survived the War, but so many did not. Muriel’s father 20+ Ambassadors from Nassau County to “Presidency IV” – the statewide spent a year in Buchenwald concentration camp, which, together with convention, showcasing the Republican Presidential candidates in Orlando its many satellite camps, was one of the largest concentration camps in October. Muriel will enjoy lunch with Governor Christ and all participating established by the Nazis. Muriel’s father joined the underground and Presidential candidates, and afterwards, will participate in the nationally assisted many American and British soldiers. Muriel’s parents remember televised Republican Presidential Debate. the times of hunger and having nothing. But the United States of America came to assist, again providing freedom. Muriel’s pride in her new country is evidenced by a sign installed at the entrance to the shop she manages at Jacksonville International Airport – Muriel met her late husband in Brussels, where he served in the United “PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN!” States Air Force, at NATO and the American Embassy. They were married in 1982 and she became a resident alien of the United States. His tour with the Air Force took them to the Netherlands, where their first son was born, then on to the American Embassy in Rome, Italy. Their Ambassador in Italy was Maxwell Rabb, close friend to both President George Bush and President Ronald Reagan. Muriel and her husband met them several times during visits