Vapor Trails Member Profiles
Al Meloche
- Toastmasters Level: Distinguished Toastmaster
- Member of Toastmasters since 1972
Vera Mizell
A native Texan, Vera moved to San Diego with her Navy husband in 1951. She is
a Charter Member of Hill Talkers Toastmasters Club #2372. The club chartered in
1982 when she was working at the San Diego County Office of Education. She
retired in 1986 but still maintains her membership in Hill Talkers.
When she retired she joined Vapor Trails and has been an active member ever
since. She has served all offices in both clubs and many offices in District 5.
She is a member of the Sigma Delta Unit of the California State Association of
Parliamentarians and has held several offices at the state and local levels. She
enjoys going to the conferences and conventions for her organizations and
church. It gives her the opportunity to do the traveling she enjoys.
Most of all Vera believes in the Toastmasters Communication and Leadership
Program and how it can help people achieve their goals. She believes in
mentoring new members and is willing to help anyone improve their communication
and leadership skills.
- Toastmasters Level: Distinguished Toastmaster
- Member of Toastmasters since 1982
Jim Bedinger
Born during WWII in Philadelphia PA, Jim enlisted from high school into the
Naval Reserves in 1963. He graduated from Union College, Schenectady, NY in 1967
where he won the Smith Prize for the most original historical research thesis on
the integration of Girard College. He was commissioned an Ensign in 1967 and was
designated a NFO in May 1968.
On November 22, 1969, Jim's F-4 went down over Laos and he landed in a
minefield and was captured. He was marched through the Throng Song Mountains
into North Vietnam where he witnessed the intensive supply efforts of the North
Vietnamese during U.S. bombing limitations. By December of 1969, Jim was in
Hanoi, where he was held prisoner-of-war until his release in 1973 under
Operation Homecoming.
Jim returned to San Diego with his wife, Laura, who gave birth to two sons,
Daniel and William. Jim continued in the Navy and earned a MBA with honors from
San Diego State University in 1976 and returned to flying in F-14s. Jim finally
returned home to NTC San Diego as the Comptroller and joined the Toastmasters
club there. When he retired in August of 1989, he soon transferred to Vapor Trails 203
where he has been a member ever since.
In 1992 he began work for USA Federal Credit Union and is now their Director
of Military Affairs. Jim recently completed being the President of the San
Diego Council of the Navy League and continues to serve there, on the Management
Board for the San Diego Armed Services YMCA, the San Diego Fleet Week Board of
Directors, and the San Diego MAC. Jim is also active in volunteer work at Torrey
Pines State Reserve, a place whose memories sustained me at time I served far
from home in the presence of our enemies and is a past president of the Torrey
Pines Docent Society.
- Toastmasters Level: Advanced Toastmaster Silver
- Member of Toastmasters since 1987
Watch Jim take you on a vitual guided tour of Torrey Pines