Meeting Notes by HERMANN WELM

 

Scribe Notes, May 10, 2018

 

 

 

President “Can-Do Sandhu” opened the meeting by reminding us that the R.I. President is Ian H.S. Riseley, of Victoria, Australia, and his theme for the year is “Rotary, Making a Difference.”  Our Greeter, PP Chris Gallagher, lead us in the Salute to the Flag.   His Thought for the Day, by Dr. Seuss, “Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory!”   Songmeister PP Don Jones, was called upon to lead those assembled in the Patriotic Song, “God Bless America”.  (THIS INTRO WAS WRITTEN BY HERMANN WELM TOO)

 

Visiting Rotarians:  Vicky Stasch of the Anacortes, Washington club.  She claims to be a friend of Mark vonH and Madame Trixie (who wudda known that they have any friends?). (haha Herm)

 

Other Visitors:  Michael Holk, a 40-year resident of San Ramon; Mike Conklin of the Sentinels of Freedom; Staff Sergeant Justin LeDuc, USMC, Recruiter based in Livermore; USMC Recruits: Scott Marrs, Ethan Lister, Nick Ridgers, Mason Olivera, Xavier Nunoz and Garrett Barden; Rachel Rehberg, Xavier’s mother; Sheriff Sergeant Tim Barden, Garrett’s father; Dana Marrs, wife of Jerry Marrs, whose son, Scott, is among the recruits; and Teresa Classen, Scott’s grandmother; Dan Lister, father of Ethan and who is looking at the club for possible membership. Good Job, Herm!

 

 

 

Announcements: 

 

 

Can-Do Sandhu announced that there were 10 to 11 attendees from our club at the District Conference held in Incline Village this past week; he’s got some pictures that he’ll put together as a slide show and present at a future meeting.

Jerry Marrs, who is heading up the Online Auction for Education, stated that we have just “five weeks” to get our items assembled and submitted to the committee!  Soooo, get going!

 

Lucky reminded us that the Six-Club Meeting will be held the evening of May 16^th.  The speaker will be past RI President, Richard King.  The cost is $34.00 per person.  There WILL be a Regular Meeting of our club the following day, the 17th; it will be Stacy Litteral hosting the “Unsung Heroes” Award Presentations.

 

Norbert Walz is once again heading up the Art & Wind Festival Beer & Wine Booths.  We still need some volunteers for both Sunday, the 27^th, and Monday, the 28^th.  He recently sent an email with the openings; please respond to it! (WRITES HERMANN WELM)

 

This year’s Rotary International Conference will be held in Toronto, June 23 to 27.  A show of hands indicated that some of our members are indeed planning to be there.

 

Mike Conklin announced that there will be a public oath-taking for all the Valley high school graduates who will be entering the military on May 20^th, at 12:30, at the All-Wars Memorial, Oak Hill Park, Danville (next to Monte Vista HS).  All are invited to attend and honor these young ladies and men!

 

 

Good News/Fine Free:   PP Chris Gallaher announced that Rene, who has been heavily involved with the Alzheimer’s Association, has been nominated to serve on their National Board.  Congratulations, Rene, and good luck!  PP Don Jones announced that the Backhawk Chorus’ program this spring will be “From Coast to Coats; Travelling Around the USA.”  The concerts will be held at the Lesher Center on May 19^th and the Walnut Creek Presbyterian Church on May 20^th.  Get tickets at:  https://www.blackhawkchorus.com/concerts.

 

 

Recognitions:   Chris Gayler has been named by Diablo Magazine as one of “Forty under Forty” in the East Bay.  Expect him to be profiled in an upcoming issue of that magazine.  Kathy Gailey paid the price for letting husband, Scott, have another birthday;  and Jeff Disch was recognized for his 46^th anniversary with Julie!

 

 

 

 

Mike Conklin started the program by speaking a bit about his organization, the Sentinels of Freedom.  However, most of his talk concerned the service of his three sons, all of whom became Army Rangers.  Mike had been disappointed when, in 1997, at high school graduation, students were recognized for a variety of deeds and achievements, but nothing was said about those who were joining the military.  He therefore started the program, “Grads to Patriots,” to allow the community to thank those young people who had decided to serve their country.

 

Mike single-most important message to the six young men joining us is to use their military service as a great opportunity to learn; not just leadership, but also technical skills which will serve them for the rest of their lives. 

PP Dr. Bill (“The Bard”) Harlan officiated at this year’s “Grads to Patriots” program.  He first talked about his son’s experience in the Army, from being recruited, to his retirement after 23 years, and subsequent employment with the State of Alaska.  “The Sergeant” had three deployments to Iraq, one to Afghanistan, and finally retired as a Command Sergeant Major.  Once again, in speaking of his son’s accomplishments, it took others in the room to remind Dr. Bill that The Sergeant was named “Soldier of the Year” by the U.S. Army times for 2008; a very important honor!

The six recruits, all joining the U.S. Marine Corps and attending Boot Camp in San Diego,  are:

 

Scott Marrs  --  son of Jerry and Dana, and grandson of Teresa Classen.  He’ll be joining the Aviation Group.

 

Ethan Lister  --  his MOS will be in the Security Forces.

 

Nick Ridgers  --  this Scribe did not catch his MOS.

 

Mason Olivera  --  his MOS will be Aviation Electrician.

 

Xavier Nunoz  --  an MOS in Combat Support.

 

Garrett Barden  --  who has a family tradition to serve in the military, who will be trained in Aircraft Ordinance.

 

Our own Edgardo Carillo, himself a Marine, dating back to the Barbary Pirates days, offered this advice to the six, “Pain is Temporary; Pride is Forever!”

 

Raffle:   The Greeter’s Gift of $20.00 was won by Brent Tucker and the chance of drawing the gold marble was again won by Marco Bronzini.   All were severely disappointed that he only drew a blue marble, since he won the “Big Pot” a month ago and really deserved to win again (given that this was his third meeting in the past decade)!

 

 

Next Week’s Program:   Stacy Litteral will host the “Unsung Heroes” presentation.