September 11, 2001. 

 

This is a day that none of us will ever forget.  On this day, 18 years ago 2,996 people died (and more than 6,000 were injured) in the attacks on the World Trade Center.  For all of us, it is a day that we will never forget, and just like Pearl Harbor or the assassination of JFK, we all remember where we were that day.  If you were like me, you were glued to your television for days on end as the horrors of that attack played out over and over.

 

This year, by virtue of our calendar, September 11 falls on our regular meeting day and we have decided to honor the many First Responders in the Tucson community.  We will never forget, and to pay them the honor they deserve on behalf of the Rotary Club of Tucson is the least we can do, in my opinion.

 

It will truly be a special meeting.  We have representatives from the Tucson Police Dept, the Tucson Fire Dept., Pima County Sheriff Dept, Davis-Monthan AFB Fire and Security Forces, Oro Valley Police Dept, Marana Police Dept, Rural Metro, and the UA Police Dept.  All told, we hope to have 25+ first responders in attendance.  There will be a white draped chair at each of our Rotary tables so a first responder can sit with Rotarians for lunch.

 

Dan Rowan, Marana Police officer will provide a powerful video message to our meeting.  Officer Rowan was actually a FYND officer on 9/11 and his team responded to the World Trade Center attacks.  10 of his 15 team members died in the attack and Rowan still carries photos of his partners in his pocket today.

 

 

The lineup of Speakers is impressive:

 

*Tucson Police Chief Chris Magnus – he will tell a first-person account of being a first responder very early in his career

*Pima County Sheriff Mark Napier – He will discuss the coordination that takes place between agencies in crisis situations

*Tucson Asst Fire Chief Darin Wallentine – He is an expert on the high incidence of cancer in first responders all over the US

*Tucson Asst Fire Chief Laura Baker – She will discuss the recruitment process (especially with women) and Camp Fury

*Davis-Monthan Fire Chief Todd Canale – He will explain how the first responder mission has changed since 9/11

 

As 9/11 relates to Rotary, you may want to take a few moments and watch this attached video.  It is about the Rotary Club of New York (#6 club in the U.S.) and how they responded to the 9/11 attacks.  Ironically, in 2001, the club named Helen B. Reisler as their first woman President in their 92 year history, and it is humbling and amazing at the same time to see the leadership this club took during this crisis.  It makes you proud to be a Rotarian to see first-hand the impact we can have in our communities.  Unfortunately, we may not have enough time to show it on Wednesday during the regular meeting, so here it is for you:

 

 

Please do everything you can to come to this First Responder meeting and please feel free to bring a guest.  It will be a very special opportunity to say thanks to these important people who live their lives in service to us.

 

Yours in Rotary,

 

Bob Logan

President

Rotary Club of Tucson

President BOB started the meeting by making his way through the room to the music of “Rocky” and even dressed the part!!  Way to go, BOB ~~ your back and raising the brick, he rang the bell to begin the meeting at 12:00 noon.

 

Our Inspiration Video was a race won by HEATHER DORNIDEN, who after taking the lead, fell and instead of giving up, she jumped right back up, came from far behind and won the race.  Never give up, no matter what!

 

The Pledge and Song (Star Spangled Banner) were led by DENISE NEWTON with GARY HIRSCH accompanying at the piano and BOB SHAFF (Past President) introduced our guests and visiting Rotarians.

 

Our Video Introduction for our program was up on the screen, and introduced MIKE CANDREA, the Head Coach of the University of Arizona Softball Team.  The title of the program was  “Tale of the Tape – 45 Years of Coaching, where Coach Candrea brought out the importance of work ethic and explained the three “C’s”  - Competent, Consistent and Caring.  He discussed how a life can be out of balance by giving his own example and how to achieve balance in your life.  He stressed the most important things for him were 1^st Family, 2^nd Profession and 3^rd Faith.  He talked about the importance of “Family” and when you are with them, be with them and not thinking of work or something else.  His remarks included: How life is short and how he enjoys getting up every day, how he lost his Wife and how to handle adversity, competition, excellence, personal growth and mutual respect. President BOB presented Coach Candrea with the book “Players in Pigtails” for his signature, which will make its way into the Make Way For Books Library.

 

Birthday Rotarians at the head table today were:

 

CONRAD PLIMPTON (8/26), NANCY PURDIN (9/09) & JOE DANISZEWSKI (9/15).  Happy Birthday to you all!!!

 

MATT BLAIR (Sergeant at Arms) recognized EMERY BARKER (Past President) for being voted one of the top lawyers according to Tucson Lifestyle Magazine.  Congratulations Emery!

 

The Announcements for the meeting were as follows:

 

BOB LOGAN presented an Inspirational Rotary Video from Bono on Polio and he praised the work that Rotary does around the world.

BOB LOGAN announced one of his goals of losing 25 pounds has turned into a Fitness Program that DARRELL STEWART has volunteered to head up.  He will be making an announcement with more details at a future meeting.

NANCY PURDIN presented a Blue Badge to MICHELE HATCH.

BRUCE TUNZE presented a Blue Badge to ANDY KEIL and also to CHERYL JOHNSON.

And Finally, VICKIE JACOBS presented a Blue Badge to JEANNE ZETAH.  Congratulations to you all for going from Red to Blue!

BRETT STEIN announced the Beer Fellowship and BILL COUBA announced the Wine Event Sept 26, 6-8pm at Total Wine – (Oracle Road)

 

President BOB thanked our Speaker, Guests & Birthday Members CONRAD, NANCY & JOE and brought the meeting to a close with a toast “Dream as if you’ll live forever.  Live as if you’ll die today”.

 

Every Rotarian needs to wear our exclusive Club Community Service Shirt when participating at the Car Show and when selling tickets in any event setting.

 

 

Jon Wang at 520-360-1050 or <specialopsdoc@comcast.net>