KATHY KITAGAWA gave a very moving inspiration about what it means to be open and experience reconciliation in honor of Pearl Harbor Day.
PRESIDENT CLIFF sadly acknowledged the passing of the Territorial Cup to ASU, agreeing to wear an ASU shirt provided gleefully by member TED KIRACOFE. (Where’s the black arm band?)
SCOTT VAUGHAN led us in the pledge and song “My Country ‘Tis of Thee” (or “America”) accompanied skillfully by GARY HIRSCH on the piano. JULIE PAULSON introduced our visitors and guests.
We had four birthdays: Slightly delayed, BOBBY LARSON lost his minute to PAT DAVITT and his cake to ROGER HARWELL, but was graceful with a brief birthday acknowledgment. PAT DAVITT made us all jealous by having the best job ever organizing tours to Italy with “breakfast wine” (is that real?). STEVE PICKERING thanked his sponsor HUGH THOMPSON, comparing him to a “heat seeking missile” when recruiting new members, and GARY SCHEER noted that Rotary gets better the longer you stay and then promptly rescinded his birthday donation until PRESIDENT CLIFF took off the ASU shirt.
PRESIDENT CLIFF recognized a startling 52 years of 100% Attendance by TOM BROWNING. TOM is a member since 1965 and has the strongest handshake of any current club member.
We also introduced two new members: TOM STRASBURG introduced JOHN STROBECK with stories of his days working for IBM and testifying in a case against the Las Vegas Mob. JOHN counted among his several blessings being blessed to be a
member of this Rotary Club. GARY GETHMANN introduced architect and builder JOHN HEIMBAUGH who among other awards received a prestigious American Academy in Rome fellowship. JOHN’s favorite outdoor activity is ironically sailing, and he is searching for help in how to pursue that activity in the desert.
SERGEANT AT ARMS DALE BERG called on Past President ELLIE PATTERSON who had a Happy Jackson to recognize member DAWNE BELL for her selection as one of the “Forty under 40”. We had several donated items for auction including Glass blown ornaments from the Sonoran Glass School. For other announcements:- MIKE ORCUTT made a Blue Badge Presentation for GEORGE ROCHELEAU, and noted George’s work managing shuttles for the car show and holiday bell ringing.
- DIANA CANNON reminded us all to sign up on Clubrunner for Holiday Mixer (12/20 at La Mariposa Resort).
- CHUCK SAWYER invited everyone to participate in Tree Planting on 12/9.
- PAST PRESIDENT ELLIE PATTERSON encouraged everyone to attend Roadrunner Hockey Game on January 5th.
- ROBERT O’BRIEN announced that the Arizona Bowl will donate 100% of tickets bought using the RCOT code will be added to the Car Show proceeds.
- PAST PRESIDENT ROGER HARWELL asked for additional volunteers for the 4th Avenue Car Show Ticket Sales and Suds for Scholars effort.
For our program, PAST PRESIDENT ROGER HARWELL introduced Michael Darter who is an Emeritus Professor of Civil Engineering, University of Illinois and an expert in highway and airport infrastructure. Mr. Darter told the fascinating and moving story of searching for the brother he lost on December 16, 1943. Eugene Darter was a volunteer radio communications officer who participated in a dangerous bombing mission to destroy a Nazi submarine facility. During the raid, Eugene’s plane was hit, eventually crashing off the coast of Texel Island in the Netherlands. Through the years, Mr. Darter has been able to establish contact with several of the crew members of his brother’s B17, and eventually to meet a Dutch farmer who witnessed his brother landing in the ocean. The search has become the basis of a book titled “Gone with the Wind’ He Said”. Mr. Darter signed a book for the lending library titled “Best Frints in the Whole Universe”.
PRESIDENT CLIFF finished with a very appropriate toast, wishing that for all those missing, may we find them and bring them home.
