President's Message - December 2023

With deep sorrow, I announce the passing of Colonel Frank Borman, a founding member of Informed Families.

Frank Borman was an American hero. Yet, I often find it surprising how his name draws blank expressions from younger generations. As the Commander of Apollo 8, the first manned mission to the moon in December 1968, Frank Borman made history. He famously read the Creation story from the Bible to the entire world during this mission. I encourage you to revisit this moment, often called the Christmas Miracle.

Watch it below:

Understanding and valuing the contributions of our predecessors is essential. Technologies we take for granted today, like GPS and ATMs, owe their existence to the advancements made by NASA, astronauts, and the United States Military. Unfortunately, this rich history seems to be fading from the collective memory of the current generation.

It is often said that technology is anything invented after you were born. This definition is somewhat alarming as it perpetuates ignorance about the individuals and efforts required to develop the technologies and systems that form the foundation of our modern lifestyle.

I celebrate Frank Borman's leadership at Informed Families. Together with his wife Susan, they joined forces with Alvah and Betty Chapman, Dorothy, and Don Shula, dedicating their time, talent, and resources to help children grow up safe, healthy, and drug-free.

Their efforts included bringing younger generations into the fold to educate them about the dangers of drugs. Creating herd immunity in a community is vital to curtailing drug epidemics. While the specific drugs in an epidemic may change, the underlying causes of drug use remain constant. It's time to shift our focus from battling specific drugs to addressing the emotions and feelings that drive drug use.

Frank Borman was a remarkable individual. He ventured to the moon yet maintained his humility and belief in a higher power's ability to aid humanity. He instilled this belief firmly within Informed Families.

I Wish everyone a Merry Christmas and extend a heartfelt thank you to Frank and Susan for their leadership and friendship.

Peggy B. Sapp
President, Informed Families