On April 4th, Resurrection Lutheran Men’s Breakfast (Oro Valley) welcomed James Allerton, Honorary Commander for the USAF 563rd Pararescue Group at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base. James is Tucson resident and spent ten years serving as a Pastor, served in law enforcement with the Pima County Sherrif’s Department for 17 years, as well as the Tucson Airport Authority Police Department. He is also a proud member of The Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska.

Allerton shared the history of the USAF’s Pararescue organization, their vigorous training and mission, as well as stories of heroism among these elite airmen. His presentation was eerily timely, since these same forces were part of the search and rescue of the F-15 aircraft Pilot and Weapons System Officer shot down in Iran on Friday, April 3rd and rescued on Sunday, April 5th. These elite military members are referred to as “PJs” (for Para Jumpers) and are the US Air Force’s equivalent of the US Navy’s Seals and the US Army’s Green Berets. The motto of the USAF’s Pararescue forces is “That Others May Live”. We are fortunate to have a Group located right here in Tucson, along with a USAF Reserve Squadron (the 306th Rescue Squadron).

The breakfast began with opening remarks by the group’s Chairman, Alan Bergstrom. Committee member Ken Shepard provided the blessing. Mark Boyce guided the group in the Pledge of Allegiance and Mark Boyce introduced the guest speaker Allerton. A hearty breakfast, prepared by Kevin Risner of Flaming Heart BBQ Catering, was served prior to the presentation. Fifty-three men attended the breakfast.

The RLC Men’s Breakfast will meet next on Saturday, May 2nd, 2026. The featured speaker in May is Retired Major General Ted Maxwell, CEO of the Southern Arizona Leadership Council (SALC). SALC consists of over 150 CEOs, business and community leaders who are involved in creating a vibrant future for the Tucson area by engaging in the critical issues of education, infrastructure, healthcare, governance, as well as economic growth and innovation.

The Resurrection Lutheran Men’s Breakfast meets on the first Saturday of each month from October through May at the Outreach Center on the church’s main campus in Oro Valley. Doors open for coffee at 7:00 a.m., with the program beginning at 7:30 a.m. Registration is available online at orovalley.org or by calling (520) 575-9901. A $15 donation is appreciated. All are welcome.

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