Hal Siler Honored by Lions

One of Sanford’s most outstanding citizens was honored Thursday, Feb. 27, by the Sanford Lions Club as recipient of the prestigious Melvin Jones Fellowship. Hal Siler, a Lion for 44 years, received a standing ovation from his fellow club members in recognition of his many years of dedicated service and immeasurable contributions to Lionism. President John Walden, Jr. presented him a beautiful plaque.

The Melvin Jones Fellowship is named for the founder and longtime leader of Lions and was established by Lions Clubs International as the highest form of recognition to acknowledge an individual’s dedication to humanitarian service.

Siler has served the club as president, secretary, zone chairman, district secretary, membership chairman, tailtwister, and member of the board of directors. He has long been the club’s “artist in residence” and its diplomat and liaison throughout the community with his many other interests and roles in Sanford and Lee County. These include his many years of service with the local chamber of commerce and industrial development groups, among many others.

He and his wife, Esther, are longtime members of First Baptist Church. They have three children Tom, David and Judy.

Guest speaker for the meeting was Donald R. Belk, a regional planner with the BRAC (Base Realignment and Closure) Regional Task Force headquartered at Ft. Bragg. He presented an interesting overview and update of the massive expansion program now underway at the U.S. Army base. Some $2.8 billion in military construction is planned over a five year period creating thousands of jobs for workers in this region.

Belk said planners hope to help area counties and towns develop long-range goals for positive, sustainable growth throughout the region as a result of this infusion of federal funds. Every aspect of life will be impacted, Belk said, from workforce training to transportation needs to schools to emergency services to housing. He said Lee County’s positioning between Ft. Bragg and the Research Triangle Park area should be a positive factor in its development planning.

To learn more about the BRAC programs anytime go to www.bracrtf.com.

Special guests included Carl Harrell of Welaka, Fla., a past Lions district governor who now serves as a club development consultant. He is working with District Governor Dave Martin of Sanford in establishment of a new club in Fayetteville. Also present was Don Boudreau of the Western Harnett Lions Club who is district governor-elect of District 31-F. Charles Martin was program chairman and presented the invocation while Don Morton led the club in the Pledge of Allegiance.