AUSTIN INTERNATIONAL RESCUE OPERATIONS
| Journal Entries |
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| A Visit from the Queen! Journal Entry: Eddie Bloom - 7-February, 2007 We had about the coolest AIRO day I've ever experienced yesterday! The Queen of Spain’s visit was preceded by a presidential-level security sweep that started with the bomb squad, then some 30 fully armed soldiers camping out on the hill just above our Krueng Raya facility, and another half dozen plain (all black) clothes secret service types mulling around with hidden arms and the classic coiled ear-pieces. Once the motorcade arrived, there was an entourage of some 50 dignitaries and press. Among others, Ms. Leire Pajin, Spanish State Minister for International Cooperation, and Mr. Ricardo Martinez, the Spanish Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs accompanied Queen Sophia. The UN FAO was also well represented with their own Southeast Asian Director, Country Director and Banda Aceh Office Directors all present. I was given about 10 minutes to explain how Spanish funding for technical support and training raised the quality of our boat builders to the point now where we are building the best boat in NAD - "a Cadillac boat"! They were quick to ask about the lingering need and the cost... and I was quick to answer – more than that, I handed each a proposal for them to fund 30 of these boats directly with AIRO. Their response was very positive! My 10-minute time ran out but they wanted to keep talking about our boats - I ended up taking over 20 minutes – and on her way out, the Queen turned to me and said, "the world needs more people like you Eddie!" My reply was that "well, thank you your Majesty. Not sure if that's possible, but we could have more of these Cadillac boats in the world with a little help from you!" She laughed and thanked me for the proposal. It’s magical days like this that make the entire 2 years here so well worth it!! |
Current AIRO News and AIRO in the News:
**AIRO's first Annual OneWorld Dance & Costume Party**
Wow, what a great party! Thank you to all who came!
The AIRO raffle raised almost $1200, with further donations and pledges still coming in. We will be
reserving this money specifically to build a boat in the near future and will donate it in the name of
"Austin AIROheads". If you are waiting for a receipt, these will be forthcoming shortly.
There have been several things found from the party. Contact us if you are missing anything.
Specifically, a digital camera was left. If it helps, some pictures of a really nice 55 Porsche (!) were
on it-please identify.
Once again, thank you for a great event. We look forward to doing it again!
Aaron and Eddie
_______________________________________
Bungee for a Cause
Over The Edge, Inc. bungee jumping organization, founded by Eric Lyman, is a partner of AIRO.
Click here to read the entire article regarding their charitable events.
_______________________________________
Visit from Aaron:
Dear AIROheads and Friends of AIROheads,
Since my last journal update, I spent 3 weeks in Banda Aceh and have now been back to Austin for
about 4 weeks. I’m planning my next trip for late August now...
Click here for the complete journal entry.
_______________________________________
Letter from Linda Hudson
Click here to read the 'Boats for Aceh' update from Linda.
_______________________________________
Dallas Morning News
Sunday, August 21, 2005
3 men get Indonesian fishermen back into waters after tsunami…
“Their organization, Austin International Rescue Operations, or AIRO, has staked out a position as
a leading broker in boat-building, a critical enterprise for Acehnese, most of whom are fishermen.”
“The lean operation soon began to be noticed because, in a gargantuan relief process tangled up
in red tape and politics, it was getting things done fast.”
By LENNOX SAMUELS
E-mail: lsamuels@dallasnews.com
Read more – click here for complete news article.
**AIRO's first Annual OneWorld Dance & Costume Party**
Wow, what a great party! Thank you to all who came!
The AIRO raffle raised almost $1200, with further donations and pledges still coming in. We will be
reserving this money specifically to build a boat in the near future and will donate it in the name of
"Austin AIROheads". If you are waiting for a receipt, these will be forthcoming shortly.
There have been several things found from the party. Contact us if you are missing anything.
Specifically, a digital camera was left. If it helps, some pictures of a really nice 55 Porsche (!) were
on it-please identify.
Once again, thank you for a great event. We look forward to doing it again!
Aaron and Eddie
_______________________________________
Bungee for a Cause
Over The Edge, Inc. bungee jumping organization, founded by Eric Lyman, is a partner of AIRO.
Click here to read the entire article regarding their charitable events.
_______________________________________
Visit from Aaron:
Dear AIROheads and Friends of AIROheads,
Since my last journal update, I spent 3 weeks in Banda Aceh and have now been back to Austin for
about 4 weeks. I’m planning my next trip for late August now...
Click here for the complete journal entry.
_______________________________________
Letter from Linda Hudson
Click here to read the 'Boats for Aceh' update from Linda.
_______________________________________
Dallas Morning News
Sunday, August 21, 2005
3 men get Indonesian fishermen back into waters after tsunami…
“Their organization, Austin International Rescue Operations, or AIRO, has staked out a position as
a leading broker in boat-building, a critical enterprise for Acehnese, most of whom are fishermen.”
“The lean operation soon began to be noticed because, in a gargantuan relief process tangled up
in red tape and politics, it was getting things done fast.”
By LENNOX SAMUELS
E-mail: lsamuels@dallasnews.com
Read more – click here for complete news article.
All photos on this website are the exclusive property of Austin International Rescue, Inc. and may not be
reproduced, copied or distributed without the express written consent of AIRO.
reproduced, copied or distributed without the express written consent of AIRO.
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Use the button below to make
a donation to the efforts of
the Austin International
Rescue Operations, Inc., or
contact us directly for more
information. AIRO recently
received full 501(c)3 status.
This means that all donations
are now tax-deductible. For
your records, our tax-exempt
status number is 55-0896249.
Or, just send your
tax-deductible donation by
check made payable to Austin
International Rescue
Operations, Inc. (or AIRO).
The mailing address is: AIRO,
8804 Appaloosa Run, Austin
Texas 78737 USA.
If you have any questions or
would like more information,
please contact Aaron Lyman
directly at 1-512-750-5096, or
at alyman@austin.rr.com
THANK YOU!!
a donation to the efforts of
the Austin International
Rescue Operations, Inc., or
contact us directly for more
information. AIRO recently
received full 501(c)3 status.
This means that all donations
are now tax-deductible. For
your records, our tax-exempt
status number is 55-0896249.
Or, just send your
tax-deductible donation by
check made payable to Austin
International Rescue
Operations, Inc. (or AIRO).
The mailing address is: AIRO,
8804 Appaloosa Run, Austin
Texas 78737 USA.
If you have any questions or
would like more information,
please contact Aaron Lyman
directly at 1-512-750-5096, or
at alyman@austin.rr.com
THANK YOU!!
