Joe Patton has been one of our more energetic and adventurous club members who won everybody over with his outgoing and engaging personality. He pursued a variety of interests, from sailing and bicycling to mountaineering, but his favorite was soaring. He was known as "Java Joe" in the club for his enthusiasm and coffee-toting during his service as secretary of our club. On June 18, 2005 the Board of Directors decided to honor Joe's memory with an achievement recognition that would recognize his outgoing and helpful spirit and serve as a stimulus to other pilots to challenge themselves in cross-country soaring.

The Joe Patton Milestone Recognition is given to any Evergreen Soaring pilot who, after June 8, 2005, completes a solo flight originating in Arlington or one of the neighboring airfields that includes a Silver badge distance leg. This is to recognize those who achieve this milestone in their soaring career and to serve as inspiration to others.

Such a flight does not have to be documented like an official Silver badge flight; the administrator (the current president of Evergreen Soaring or any designees) will rely largely on the honor system even though pictures, barograms or GPS files are encouraged. If such a flight is an FAI badge or Willy Burhen Cup flight, so much the better. The recognition will consist of a plaque on the wall of our clubhouse that lists the Evergreen Soaring pilots that have accomplished such a flight.

The Joe Patton Milestone Recognition is intended to encourage aspiring as well as experienced pilots to develop their flying skills and to expand their range of experience. Let's see this list grow!

Date	Pilot	Flight	Aircraft
2005
June 19	Fred Hermanspann	Fall City and back	Chinook
June 19	Brad Hill	Fall City and back	Apis-13
September 20	Paul Adriance	Skykomish and back	Std. Libelle
2006
April 17	Ernst Zwickie	Wickersham to Haystack	Std. Jantar
April 17	Ron Clark	Wickersham to Snohomish	LS-1c
May 8	Roy Parzyk	Sumas Mt. and back	Pik-20B
May 8	Bruce Bullock	Mount Vernon to Pilchuck	Apis-13
May 9	JC Hauchecome		PW-5
June 19	Myles Bradley	Canadian Border and back	Std. Astir
2007
2008
Apr. 25	Dan Housler	Mt. Vernon to Monroe	Cirrus 17.7
May 24	Brian Hood	Jim Creek to North Bend	DG-303
June 25	Chuck Anderson	Threefinger to Mt. Baker	Apis-15
September 7	Mike Reid	Arlington to Glacier Peak	Std. Libelle
2009
Apr. 24	Kevin Finke	Arlington to Glacier Peak	ASW-20/24
May 3	John Gilbert	Oso to Mt. Stickney	Std. Cirrus
May 5	Lynn Weller	AWO to Bellingham	DG-1000
2010
May 8	Dan Teifke	Cultus Mt. to Mt. Pilchuck	ASW-19
May 8	Tony Wiederkehr	Sumas Mt. to Mt. Si	ASW-27
May 9	Craig Funston	Camano Island to Golden Mountain	Nimbus 3