Submitted by Alan Garcia, Kiwanis Club of Clermont
Former Blue Angels Commanding Officer and Flight Leader Captain Donnie Cochran was their guest speaker at a recent Kiwanis Club meeting. Captain Cochran was the first African American Pilot to fly with the Blue Angels and the first African American Commanding Officer and Flight Leader for the Blue Angels.
Captain Cochran shared his unique perspective from his time as a Blue Angels Pilot flying the number three jet for two years and from flying the number four jet for one year and his eighteen months as Commanding Officer and flight leader of the Blue Angels. His message was based on how to build trust between team members and how the team made a difference in the lives of our young people and inspiring the American public. His message aligned perfectly with the mission of our Kiwanis Club.
Captain Cochran ended his very inspiring message with this statement on how he can maintain his positive and engaging attitude in the midst of a changing and volatile world; “You should always have something good to look forward to, and the best is yet to come.”
President Chris Boylan thanked Captain Cochran for his very inspiring presentation and presented him with a club pin and Kiwanis Cook Book.
