GGS members are both interested and interesting people. This month the Member Spotlight shines on Al Frisby, a longtime community activist and a gun owner as well.
At William Chrisman High School in Independence, Al was a member of its rifle team. He has hunted rabbits with a .22 rifle and also owns a .22 Luger. His daughter and son-in-law are gun owners, too. Of course, all the firearms are locked.
“Volunteering with Lock it For Love has been the most rewarding part of being involved with Grandparents,” Al said of GGS’ free gun lock program. “I talk to people about the importance of gun locks, and if they need them, we’ve got them to give. We’re doing what we can to protect the people who need protecting in our community.”That community spirit has fueled Al’s careers in activism and education. He spent 37 years teaching high school biology, anatomy, physiology and chemistry at Shawnee Mission Northwest and Liberty High Schools, was recognized with multiple awards from students and colleagues and in 2012 was inducted into the Mid-America Education Hall of Fame.
Al’s own education includes bachelor’s and master’s degrees in biology and instruction.
While in the U.S. Army, he was also trained in neuropsychiatry to help soldiers with drug problems returning from the Vietnam War.
For 15 years, Al chaired the Johnson County, KS, chapter of MoveOn when its membership reached 1,000. Later he served eight years on the city council of Merriam, KS, where he and his wife of 54 years, Linda, live.
“With four grandchildren, I think this organization is important,” Al said of GGS, where he also helps with programming. “We all need to stand up and speak out to condemn gun violence wherever we see it.”d and interesting people. This month the Member Spotlight shines on Al Frisby, a longtime community activist and a gun owner as well.
At William Chrisman High School in Independence, Al was a member of its rifle team. He has hunted rabbits with a .22 rifle and also owns a .22 Luger. His daughter and son-in-law are gun owners, too. Of course, all the firearms are locked.
“Volunteering with Lock it For Love has been the most rewarding part of being involved with Grandparents,” Al said of GGS’ free gun lock program. “I talk to people about the importance of gun locks, and if they need them, we’ve got them to give. We’re doing what we can to protect the people who need protecting in our community.”
That community spirit has fueled Al’s careers in activism and education. He spent 37 years teaching high school biology, anatomy, physiology and chemistry at Shawnee Mission Northwest and Liberty High Schools, was recognized with multiple awards from students and colleagues and in 2012 was inducted into the Mid-America Education Hall of Fame.
Al’s own education includes bachelor’s and master’s degrees in biology and instruction.
While in the U.S. Army, he was also trained in neuropsychiatry to help soldiers with drug problems returning from the Vietnam War.
For 15 years, Al chaired the Johnson County, KS, chapter of MoveOn when its membership reached 1,000. Later he served eight years on the city council of Merriam, KS, where he and his wife of 54 years, Linda, live.
“With four grandchildren, I think this organization is important,” Al said of GGS, where he also helps with programming. “We all need to stand up and speak out to condemn gun violence wherever we see it.”