Welcome to the San Marcos Rotary Club, where we do something everyday to make this world
a better place. Recognizing Veterans Day President Joan started the meeting
with Darrell saying the invocation and Bill Schramm leading us in the
pledge. The greeter was Sam Mahr and Rod sold wine raffle tickets.
We had one visiting Rotarian with us today, Hey Jude from Poway. Special
guests were Bill Wood’s beautiful wife Nancy, Mike McMillen brought
by Bill Schramm, Debbie DeZego brought by Pat Hodgkin and Eric Curry
who lives in San Marcos and is looking to join a club! Our special Marine guests
where Sgt. Nick Tunell from Maryville, Missouri, SSgt. Damen D’Malteris
from Tampa Florida, LCpl. Corey Dailey from San Diego, and LCpl. Adrian Souza
from San Luis Obispo.
Ed Graham and Waldo Nilo joined
us from the North County Times and our guest Speaker was Brigadier General David Brahms
(Retired) and his wife, Dr. Mary-Alice Isenhart.
It is
Veterans' Day and Joan took a few minutes to share with us its beginnings and
how it has changed and evolved since the day originally called Armistice Day.
November 11 is the anniversary of the Armistice, which was signed in the Forest of Compiegne
by the Allies and the Germans in 1918, ending World War I, after four years of conflict.
After World War II, there were many new veterans who had little or no association with World
War I. The word, "armistice," means simply a truce; therefore as years passed, the
significance of the name of this holiday changed. Leaders of Veterans' groups decided
to try to correct this and make November 11 the time to honor all who had fought in various
American wars, not just in World War I. An Act of Congress changed the name to Veterans’
Day on May 24, 1954. In October of that year, President Eisenhower called on all
citizens to observe the day by remembering the sacrifices of all those who fought so
gallantly, and through rededication to the task of promoting an enduring peace. The
President referred to the change of name to Veterans' Day in honor of the servicemen of all
America's wars.
For announcements, next week’s meeting is with the District Governor Sandi Rimer.
Those that volunteered to help Joan set up need to be here at 10am, all Board Members need to
be here at 11am. The Holiday Party at Sam Mahr’s on December 9th is also our
meeting. Spouses, significant others, and guests are welcome. It is a Potluck
so please check with Joan on what you should bring.
Here is a map.
In the interest of time we only heard for SSgt. D’Malteris. Damen
shared with us that he grew up on the East Coast and has been a Marine for 10 years now.
He is assigned to 2/5 at Camp Pendleton he is the Family Readiness Officer and responsible
to the Marines and their families as they go to and from Iraq. He thanked us for what
we do but also wanted us to know how hard the service men and women are working and how much
he admires and respects them.
Recognition chairman Bill Schramm got off to a quick start by having us sing Happy
Birthday to Sam Vakil. Sam and Devi were also recognized for their
Anniversary in our club. Joan had introduced two of the Marines as being
single so Bill wanted to make sure all the single women in the room got a good
look. Doc was a little upset when he reserved a seat for Stephanie who
chose to sit with Lee. To make up for it she came over and gave Doc a
hug. For happy dollars Gary was glad a kid that fell off a trampoline at his
home walked out of the hospital under her own power. Pat was happy to be here
and Rob was happy to be going on vacation for his 25th Anniversary. Poway
Rotarian Hey Jude announced Saturday, the 20th of November; the RC of Poway is
inviting you to join them at their "Celebrate Rotary Centennial Dinner-Dance Fundraiser"
benefiting the Women's Health Center at Pomerado Hospital in Poway. The event will
be held at "The Country Club of Rancho Bernardo". For more information call Mira:
858-449-0590 or Hey Jude: 858-705-1404. Nancy Wood was happy hard work
by hubby Bill was paying off and other Clubs such as Encinitas are interested in
having Marines join them for lunch. Glenn was happy Darrell was re-elected
and Darrell invited everyone to a Veterans’ Memorial Dedication at Palomar College
today at 2 pm. Finally Joan was happy that Shelly was able to help
bring the Marines to our meeting. I am sure there are a few more members out there
who can help with this?
Reminders of Rotarian Opportunities
November 18 - DG Sandi Rimer visits San Marcos
December 14 – District Council meeting at the La Jolla Marriott
February 4-5, 2005 – District Conference Mardi gras
June 18-22, 2005 - The Centennial Convention in Chicago
Meal on Wheels for November.
November 15
November 22
November 29
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Driver: Darrell McMullen
Driver: John Forst
Driver: Luene Corwin
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Rider: Paul Dinkel
Rider: Jim Hitson
Rider: Bill Wood
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The speaker today was Brigadier General David M. Brahms
,
retired and was introduced
by Bill Wood. Brigadier General David M. Brahms retired from the Marine Corps
on September 1, 1988. He was presented the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious
conduct in the performance of outstanding service as Director, Judge Advocate Division, Headquarters,
United States Marine Corps, Washington, D.C., from September 1985 through August 1988 upon his
retirement. His talk today started while he was on assignment in Washington DC 22 years
ago. He did a lot of speaking to groups around the country and to make a connection with
his audience he would go to the Vietnam Memorial Wall and find a name of a Serviceman that came
from the same town he was speaking in. Of all the years he has been doing this, he has
never failed to find at least one name. For San Marcos he found two. He related to
us story after story of heroism and grit our servicemen and women have. He read an email
from a friend of his who has a daughter in Iraq in a Transportation detachment. She wrote
of her feelings and that of many others who are fighting in harms way. He wanted to tell
us these stories to help us understand what it’s like to be Veteran. Of all the great
things Veterans are they are also still in the minority. In groups like ours it’s not
unusual to have less than 10% Veterans. In Congress, 22 Veterans left while on 9 were
brought in. In today’s world there are few who really know or remember the true meaning
of Duty and Honor. He told us we need to always remember so that what has happened in
the past may never happen again. A great and compelling speech, I am sorry if you missed
it. Thanks David
Ruth won the wine drawing this week.
Glenn
gave us the thought for the week from General George S. Patton Jr.,
“Never think that you have done enough or that your job is finished. There’s always
something that can be done—something that can help to insure victory. You can’t let
others be responsible for getting you started. You must be a self-starter. You
must possess that spark of individual initiative that sets the leader from apart from the
led. Self-motivation is the key to being one step ahead of everyone else and standing
head and shoulders above the crowd. Once you get going, don’t stop. Always be on
the lookout for a chance to do something better.”
Next week our Speaker will be DG Sandi Rimer. Next week the Greeter will be
Dan Straka, Bill Uhland will sell wine raffle tickets, Devi Vakil will
give the Invocation, Sam Vakil will lead the Pledge, and Shelly will share
her “Thought for the week”.
As Joan says “Go out and make this world a better place”... Have a great Rotary Week... Rob.
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