Dear ODV Members: Wayne Rash, N4HCR, is a contributing writer to Forbes magazine and is also the 2016 winner of ARRL's Bill Leonard W2SKE Professional Media Award in the print category. Yesterday afternoon he got the green light from Forbes to write an article on Field Day, but the deadline for release was 9:00 AM Eastern this morning. Below is his story. Thanks to Co-Interim Communications Manager Bob Inderbitzen, NQ1R, for providing perspective from ARRL's viewpoint. <https://www.forbes.com/sites/waynerash/2020/06/30/thousands-of-radio-operat ors-band-together-to-practice-for-the-worst/#106f584170c2> https://www.forbes.com/sites/waynerash/2020/06/30/thousands-of-radio-operato rs-band-together-to-practice-for-the-worst/ Also interviewed was former FEMA Directorr Craig Fugate, KK4INZ. Public Relations Committee (PRC) Chairman Sid Caesar, NH7C, and I had several email exchanges and a phone call with Craig throughout the Field Day weekend. He was always receptive, gracious and supportive in postings on Twitter throughout Field Day to his 13,300 followers. Joining him leading up to Field Day was a tweet from FCC Chairman Ajit Pai. Together, Messrs. Pai and Fugate reached over 90,000 followers, among them prominent policymakers, regulators and agency and elected officials. Attached is a screenshot of Craig retweeting Chairman Pai's tweet. Based on my interactions with Mr. Fugate, coupled with his remarks in his recent Op-Ed article published on The Hill, I believe Mr. Fugate would be willing to become more engaged in helping ARRL to advance its EmCOMM efforts. Despite corona virus restrictions, preliminary citations suggest there was more media coverage of Field Day than was anticipated. A full analysis will be avaiable in the semiannual PRC Committee report in the July board book. 73 de Bill Morine, N2COP Board Liaison to the Public Relations Committee Vice Director - Roanoke Division Representing ARRL members in North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia <http://www.arrl-roanoke.org/> www.arrl-roanoke.org Facebook Page: ARRL Roanoke Division ARRL - The National Association for Amateur Radio
