The Scoop...May 20, 2013
President Jim Osmon called the meeting to order at 12:09pm. Billi Dray gave the prayer and the Pledge of Allegience, and Michael Frueh led the club in the Four Way Test. Sgt. At Arms Cindy Wood welcomed numerous guests, including EMS personnel from the Lima Fire Department and Lima Allen County Paramedics who were honored as part of National EMS Week. Donna Krech quizzed everyone as part of Fellowship, and then made a donation to the Lima Rotary Foundation in the amount of $1 for each question each person answered correctly-the total donation was over $300! Donna also gave each person in the room a 30 day membership to Fitness Solution 24/7.
Local college students were on hand to receive this quarter’s Rotary Scholarships. Bill Timmermeister reports that the Lima Rotary Club has now awarded 697 scholarships totaling $466,000. Great job club members!
Mary Lane reminded everyone that the Changing of the Guard is June 12th at 6:00pm at Shawnee Country Club. Please RSVP ASAP.
Three new members were welcomed to the Lima Rotary Club:Beth Keehn From Husky Lima Refinery, Colleen Morris from Goodwill Easter Seals, and Georgiana Saffle from Baton Rouge Health Services Community.
It’s the trip of a lifetime for many veterans…the chance to travel to Washington, DC, visit the war memorials, and be honored for their service to their country. It’s the mission of Flag City Honor Flight to make sure that every veteran who wants to go, has the chance. Will Miller, staff photographer for Flag City Honor Flight was guest speaker at the May 20th Rotary meeting. The organization formed in 2009, and once a year, charters an airplane and takes some 80 veterans to Washington, DC. The day starts at 4:00am when the group travels to Toledo Express Airport, enjoys breakfast, and then flies to Washington, DC where it is greeted by a welcoming committee. Each veteran is accompanied by a guardian whose job is to do everything he can for the veteran and make sure he sees everything he wants to see. The groups starts its tour at the WWII memorial, and also visits the Korean War Memorial, Vietnam War Memorial, Iwo Jima Memorial, and Arlington National Cemetery for the changing of the guard ceremony. After a long day, the group returns to a huge welcome home ceremony with more than 500 people in attendance. It’s the single most moving thing I’ve ever done in my life,” says Miller. Each veteran is sent home with a goodie bag filled with mementos and letters thanking them for their service. Each trip costs $80,000 and is provided to the veterans completely free of cost. Flag City Honor Flight is looking for donations and volunteers to help keep the program going. You can get more information at flagcityhonorflight.org.
President Osmon adjourned the meeting at 1:00pm.