In 1866, the U.S. Congress established six African American infantry and cavalry regiments at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. In the 150 years since that time, African Americans have actively participated in our nation’s defense, and this program recounts the history of America’s buffalo soldiers. These overlooked warriors helped shape the complex history of the American West, facing not only bullets and arrows, but racial discrimination. How did they come to be called buffalo soldiers? Who were these unknown or forgotten men?
Among the little stories of black frontier troopers soldiers is their relationship to a young, upcoming Western artist named Fredric Remington. Their intertwined relationships will be the topic of a fast paced presentation by Dr. John Langellier at the July 26, 2017 meeting.
Biography ~ John Langellier
John Langellier received his PhD. from Kansas State University in Military History, and is the author of scores of articles and dozens of books, including Southern Arizona Military Outposts and his latest book, Fighting for Uncle Sam: Buffalo Soldiers in the Frontier Army, which combines a compelling narrative with over 150 images from a bygone era. Langellier began his 45 year career in public history at the Arizona Historical Society in the 1960s and among other assignments spent a dozen years with the Department of the Army, as well as later on with the Department of the Navy, the National Archives, the Autry Museum, and many other posting before retiring two years ago to pursue full time writing, lecturing and consulting. Likewise, he has served as a consultant to film and television such as “Geronimo: An American Legend,” “Posse,” and for the PBS production “For Love of Liberty,” hosted by Halle Barry. He has also co-produced two episodes of A&E’s Time Machine series, “The Buffalo Soldiers” and “The Buffalo Soldiers: The Legend Continues.” He is an honorary member of the 9th and 10th U.S. Horse Cavalry Association, and a Smithsonian Institution fellow. In 1992, he was named as the Montana Historical Society’s James Bradley Fellow to conduct research on African American soldiers in Big Sky Country and recently was selected as a 2017-18 resident fellow of the Buffalo Bill Center of the West in Cody, Wyoming.
PRESIDENT CLIFF opened the meeting with a Moment of Silence for RI President Elect SAM OWORI. President OWORI would have been the second African Rotary member, and the first Ugandan, to hold the office of RI President, and is remembered for his engaging manner and easy smile.
KEN LIGHT provided a great series of Inspirational quotes – thank you KEN. GARY HIRSCH on the piano, and MARK CLARK, lead singer, led the club in Pledge and Song. JON WANG introduced our Guests and Visiting Rotarians, after graciously acknowledging ARNIE JACOBSON as the true Godfather of the RCOT Car Show. Our birthday boys were ALAN ROGERS and BRUCE JACOBS and our birthday girls, DIANA CANNON and JULIE PAULSON.
CONRAD PLIMPTON introduced his lovely wife ANN PLIMPTON as our newest member. CONRAD stated that not only was ANN smarter than he (she finished her PhD thesis sooner), but over many decades of marriage he had finally learned to do what ANN says. A big Rotary welcome to ANN!
Former SAA FONDA INSLEY gave incoming SAA DALE BERG a Happy Jackson / fine / welcome to your new job / now I can finally relax during the meeting moments.
Under Announcements, PRESIDENT ELLIE noted that there will be a club photo on 7/26 since our club has been chosen Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser by the Association of Fundraising Professionals. MIKE ORCUTT in absentia asked us to remember the Blood Drive on 8/9. STACIA DECKER and PAT DAVITT asked for wine racks to help display JERRY HARRIS’ generous donation of wine for the Friday Night Auction Dinner. They asked if anyone can donate wine racks to help display collections. And finally… TICKET SALES. Roger Harwell encouraged everyone to pick up their tickets after the meeting and MAKE THE CALL!
ROBIN STODDARD (a.k.a. the Guardian Angel of Wright Flight, Inc.) introduced our program, COLONEL KENT LAUGHBAUM – “Raytheon’s Support to the American Warrior”. COLONEL LAUGHBAUM spoke about the range of technologies and ever increasing accuracy of weapons made right here in Southern Arizona. Of particular interest were Raytheon’s attempts to limit damage to civilians and non-combatants. His comparison of the size and purpose of each device was very interesting.
The meeting was closed by PRESIDENT CLIFF with a toast to the men and women who serve every day to protect our freedom.
Tony Pedroza has been a member of our club since June 2010 and is the Sales Manager of Tucson Recycling and Waste Services. He has been with TRWS since his retirement in 2000 from Tucson Fuel, and he is also a US Army veteran. Family is very important to Tony. Tony and his wife, Sharleen, have been married for twelve years. Tony has two lovely daughters, Jennifer and Alexandra, and five grandchildren. Tony is an honorary lifetime member of Optimus International.
Tony is one of those Rotarians who gives so much to our club but you never hear much about him - he is hard-working and humble. From August 1st to the end of October, Tony spends much of his free time helping our club prepare for the car show. Some of the tasks that Tony does for the Car Show are:
- Works with Chula Vista Landscaping to clean up & maintain the field at The Gregory School
- Obtains all the radios for the event
- Acquires and maintains all golf carts
- Set-up and maintenance of onsite back-up generators
- Acquires and services all portable potties during the show
- Takes care of the trash during set-up, day-of show, and clean up
We are thankful to Gary Scheer for getting Tony involved with the car show. Tony has enthusiastically taken on the dirty jobs the rest of us would rather not do.
Tony also keeps the Club office up and running; assisting the staff with repairs and maintenance. Tony is the “Go To” guy when pictures need to be hung, furniture needs to be moved, locks need to be repaired, and boxes need to get to storage. He is always ready to lend a hand whenever it is needed, and it is so appreciated.
Tony truly enjoys his time with Rotary. He enjoys the fellowship and learning about other club members' life experiences. Tony feels Rotary has been a life-changing experience for him and has helped him to view the world differently for the better.
Planning for the Tucson Classics Car Show 2017 is revving up. Bruce Jacobs, the 2018 TCCS Chair, is busy bringing together the Security, Traffic & Parking leadership team and making improvements for the 2017 show to include changing the ingress and egress for parking to facilitate the better flow of traffic on site.
Dot Kret has completed her work for now in securing the contracts for all of the Food Court vendors. A unique barbecued ribs & chicken company, Hungry Kepuha, A Taste of Guam, is the new addition.
The popular Car Show Minute, with information regarding each of our beneficiaries, will start in August at our Club meetings.
Roger Harwell announced the ticket sales Team Captains during the July 19 meeting. To honor 30 years of women in Rotary, Team Captains are:
Lisa Fogle
Nancy Purdin
Liz Baker
Wocky Redsar-Wierzbinski
Irene Decker
Kristen Wendler
Diana Cannon
Nina Trasoff
Charlotte Harris
Marianne Freitas
Liz McMahon
Marie Logan
Kathleen Wicks
Stephanie Aaron
Tickets to start selling are now available for all members! If you do not yet have your tickets, contact your Team Captain. If you have not yet heard from your Team Captain, contact Roger Harwell. If you would like to sell tickets with other Rotarians at special events all over Tucson, contact Dave White. Let's start selling those tickets!!
The following are highlights from our Board Meeting last week:
The Club's financials and balance sheet are strong as usual. The Board is in the process of moving the Club's savings account to an investment with Merrill Lynch.
In accordance with new Arizona labor laws, the Board approved 24 hours of sick time for Dorinna and Kari.
In accordance with the Club Bylaws, the Board will coordinate with Steve Phillips to conduct the biennial audit of the financials
The Board approved to extend invitations for Honorary Membership to the Club to Jim Critchley: Tucson Fire Chief, Mark Napier: Pima County Sheriff, and Chris Magnus: Tucson Chief of Police.
The District 5500 Conference will take place at the Doubletree Oct. 13-15.
The Membership Committee will hold a Star meeting Thursday July 27 from 5:30-7:00pm at the Sabbar Shrine.
The Board reviewed two courses of action from the Scholarship Committee for scholarship award and disbursement for the 2017-2018 school year.The Board re-emphasized to the Scholarship Committee that both the Club Board and the RCOT Foundation Board have determined to increase scholarships for U of A students to $4,000/year.
Assisting Dale Berg in his Sergeant-At-Arms duties are Bruce Richardson: A/V Chair, Jon Wang: Introduction of Guests, Joe Nevin and Pat Lennan: Greeters, Liz McMahon: Pledge and Song, Jan Green: Photography, and Rabbi Stephanie Aaron: Invocation and Inspiration.
John Lewis and his team are coordinating with GAP Ministries for the August 30th social mixer.
This year's District Conference will be held on October 13-15, 2017. We are returning to the Hilton DoubleTree Hotel Reid Park in Tucson. Rooms are available for only $79 per night, plus taxes. Early Bird Registration is only $185 for the entire conference - and what a conference it will be! Keynote speakers are Jennifer Jones, Susan B. Neuman, Michael Angelo Caruso and John Matthews - our own Rotary International Director. There will be more than 20 breakout sessions and special events for our Interactors and Rotaractors Saturday morning. Sunday morning will be special, with a salute to Rotarian veterans and active duty personnel. A special conference website will be up and running by Sunday, July 16. Watch for the link on the District 5500 website: rotaryd5500.org. Sign up early to qualify for the low room rates and special Early Bird Registration.
Nominations of candidates to serve as District Governor in 2020-2021 are due to incoming District Governor Joe Hentges on or before July 31, 2017. Any club may nominate a candidate who is a member of that club or a member of another club (with the other club’s concurrence). Candidate interviews will be held during the month of September, 2017. If you have any questions concerning requirements, qualifications, or the nomination process, please contact District Governor Nominee Ellie Patterson or President Cliff Bowman.
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In 1866, the U.S. Congress established six African American infantry and cavalry regiments at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. In the 150 years since that time, African Americans have actively participated in our nation’s defense, and this program recounts the history of America’s buffalo soldiers. These overlooked warriors helped shape the complex history of the American West, facing not only bullets and arrows, but racial discrimination. How did they come to be called buffalo soldiers? Who were these unknown or forgotten men?
CONRAD PLIMPTON introduced his lovely wife ANN PLIMPTON as our newest member. CONRAD stated that not only was ANN smarter than he (she finished her PhD thesis sooner), but over many decades of marriage he had finally learned to do what ANN says. A big Rotary welcome to ANN!
ROBIN STODDARD (a.k.a. the Guardian Angel of Wright Flight, Inc.) introduced our program, COLONEL KENT LAUGHBAUM – “Raytheon’s Support to the American Warrior”. COLONEL LAUGHBAUM spoke about the range of technologies and ever increasing accuracy of weapons made right here in Southern Arizona. Of particular interest were Raytheon’s attempts to limit damage to civilians and non-combatants. His comparison of the size and purpose of each device was very interesting.
Tony Pedroza has been a member of our club since June 2010 and is the Sales Manager of Tucson Recycling and Waste Services. He has been with TRWS since his retirement in 2000 from Tucson Fuel, and he is also a US Army veteran. Family is very important to Tony. Tony and his wife, Sharleen, have been married for twelve years. Tony has two lovely daughters, Jennifer and Alexandra, and five grandchildren. Tony is an honorary lifetime member of Optimus International.
Planning for the Tucson Classics Car Show 2017 is revving up. 
The following are highlights from our Board Meeting last week:
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