People

Soldier of service

The Kiwanis Club of Mesa-Dobson Ranch, Arizona, has an ace in the hole when it comes to tough projects. The club has the United States Marines on its side. One Marine, in particular: Captain George B. Meegan, (retired).

Chandler Mustangs stand at attention with Captain George (back center).

“In 1980 I was a (Kiwanian) briefly but my employment, following my retirement from the Marine Corps (1978),took me to the Caribbean nation of Trinidad and Tobago for six years,” George says. “While employed there, with an American firm, I met frequently with a Kiwanis club but did not renew my membership at that time.”

Though George rejoined Kiwanis in 2002 in Arizona, his service doesn’t stop at Kiwanis. The 68 year old is happy to say he also heads up the Chandler Mustangs unit of the Young Marines program.

“The mission of the Young Marines program,” George says, “is to impact positively America’s future by providing quality youth development programs for boys and girls, that nurture and develop its members into responsible citizens who enjoy and promote a healthy, drug-free lifestyle” and know the service these young ladies and gentlemen can provide.

“My participation in Kiwanis and Young Marines dovetails together whenever there is a community-service project. My Young Marines are ready to assist Kiwanis, and vice versa. If the Young Marines need support, the club is ready to assist.”