Role model

The picture shows Saudi King Abdullah today meeting Joe Grant, who flew a DC3 to Saudi Arabia in 1945 as a gift from FDR to then King Abdulaziz. That US-Saudi summit was a critical event in Middle East history and still makes for fascinating reading given its position after World War II but before the foundation of Israel in 1948. Anyway, Joe Grant stayed in Saudi Arabia for 2 years after flying the plane there and helped establish Saudia, the national airline. It's not known whether he had any role in their no booze policy.

But more importantly, Joe is 101 years old and going strong. King Abdullah is only in his mid 80s. Meeting Joe may make him optimistic that he can last another 20 years.