Members of the newly formed Marin-Sonoma Mutual UFO Network believe there is a need for like-minded people to meet and share information about UFOs, aliens and other extraterrestrial phenomena.
Meeting the first Saturday of every month, the group hopes to attract newcomers through a variety of guest speakers and performances relating either directly or indirectly to the subject of alien or UFO encounters.
"I try to bring in different and exciting speakers to each meeting," said Lorien Fenton, MUFON area director. Douglas Dietrich, former defense research librarian for the San Francisco Presidio Military Base, will talk at the Sept. 3 meeting.
UFO enthusiast Jim Ledwith was the guest speaker at the chapter's June 11 meeting in Petaluma.
"It's all about educating the public," he said, "and I think the way to do it is through film."
Ledwith spoke about Area 51, a military base in southern Nevada where experimental aircraft and weapons are developed and tested. The intense secrecy surrounding the base has made it the subject of conspiracy theories and UFO folklore.
He shared videos and commentary about the site and accompanying alien-inspired documentaries. Upon arrival, attendees were given copies of "Area 51 Viewer's Guide" by Glenn Campbell and a list of suggested Internet sites that Ledwith recommends for individual, at-home alien researching.
Throughout the meeting, Ledwith took public comment and shared his thoughts with attendees on matters of alien encounters and Area 51.
He also talked about his interactions with the border of the military base, jokingly recounting his encounter with military police and eventually being escorted off the premises. As a token, each person in attendance received a photocopy of Ledwith's military restraining order.
Though Ledwith is not a member of MUFON, he believes strongly in acting as a "canary" in the world of extraterrestrials and the like.
"I'm on my own because I don't want to compromise anything," said Ledwith. "I'm all about saving planet Earth."
While the meeting was kicked off with a childhood photograph of Ledwith and a supposed UFO, he ended the meeting with a similar feeling of nostalgia, saying, "Trust is an irresistible force."
"I'm preaching to the choir here," said Ledwith. "It's important to get the truth out there, at any cost."
Those interested in the group can visit its website at www.mufonmarinsonoma.com or attend future meetings at $5 for newcomers. The Sonoma-Marin chapter meets at the Petaluma Senior Center, 211 Novak Drive, from 1 to 3 p.m the first Saturday of every month.
(Contact Brittany Burnett at argus@arguscourier.com)
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