November 1999
(ISSN 0887-6061) is
published monthly by Balloon Life
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MAGAZINE
November 1999
Editor-In-Chief
Publisher
Tom Hamilton
Contributing Editors
Ron Behrmann, George Denniston,
Greg Livadas, Mike Rose, Peter Stekel
Columnists
Don Piccard
Staff Photographer
Ron Behrmann
Joe Mussulman, Larry Nelson
Cindy Petrehn, Sharon Pilcher
Ivan Trifonov
2336 47th Ave SW, Seattle, WA 9811 6
Fax: 206-935-3326
e-mail: tom@balloonlife.com
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The following remarks were made by Tom Hamilton, Editor, Balloon
Life, accepting the 1999 Shield-Trauger Memorial Award presented by
the Balloon Federation of America for his many years of serve to
ballooning at the organization’s annual general meeting held in Albu-
querque, New Mexico October 3.
I was walking down a path one day when I came to a fence post. Sitting
on top ofthat fence post was a turtle.I thought, that turtle didn’t get there
byitself—it hadtohavesome help.
Thelastnineteenyearshavebeenanamazingjourneyforme.
Anything that I have been able to accomplishin ballooning, whether as a
participant,volunteer,activist,orentrepreneur,has beenbecause ofthe
helpI have received from hundreds of people. People inthis room, many
whocannotbewithustoday,somewhochoosenottobewithus,and
otherswhoare nolongerwithus.
Any incredible journey begins with a vision, is executed with passion,
butisnotpossiblewithouttheencouragement,support,andthegiftof
space togoout andlive the dream.
I want to share this award today with the one personwhois primarily
responsibleforallowingmetomakeacontributiontothesportof
ballooning.Becauseitistheunbelievableenthusiasmthatmywife,
Wendy Ceccherelli, has for life itself and the impact it has on those around
her.Thankyou.
