I just talked to an old buddy Rob Westrick a marine archaeologist who has done a lot of work on the 1715 fleet and Blackbeard shipwreck. We dove together off the Virgilona with Mo Molinar back in 2001-2002. He also introduced me to Bob Weller, Bob Marx and Art Hartman. Those were two great summers!
Anyway he was asked to be a guest speaker at the expo and said he would do it for $25 (basically enough to take care of his gas expenses to drive up there). He's got a new baby to support but was willing to give up a day for Tom and the rest of his HRD buddies. I know Rob has been paid as much as $400 to speak for some business groups for an hour presentation. However, most of his talks are given for free to schools, clubs and non-profit organizations. Ed Perry told me he did one of the best presentations anyone ever did down at the McLarty Museum a few months ago.
Now he told me he got an email saying all guest speakers have been cancelled, becasue there is no money. I read found it hard to believe but then read the thread and saw this is true, heck I'd pitch in 25 bones to hear an old buddy speak!!!
Bill
