There were no opening remarks. We jumped right into the Star Spangled Banner by Nathan Conant and Nathan Twining’s invocation.
Announcements:
President Teri remarked that she had attended the Peace Health gala fundraiser Saturday night. It was a great event; this year’s honoree was Ralph Rinne. Congratulations Ralph.
President Teri announced that the cruise has been changed to a Beach Picnic at Ann Jones home. Plan to arrive at Ann’s home around noon at 807 Chuckanut Shore Rd.. Those driving might consider carpools. Meet at Fairhaven Park. Haggen is providing sandwich-type picnic food for $18, please bring a check made out to RCOB and give to Sandee.
Roster Updates: It is that time of year again to make sure your information and photos are updated for the Roster that will be printed shortly. Please send any updated information or photos to Sandee no later than June 22nd.
June 6, 2018 Board of Directors Briefs:
The Rotary Club of Bellingham held its regular Board of Directors Meeting at President Teri and Matt’s retreat home on Lake Samish on June 6, 2018.
A letter of resignation was received from Tom Beaumont because of retirement and a consulting position that will require a lot of travel for a while. It was accepted with deep regret. He will be encouraged to join the PassPort Club.
The 2018-2019 proposed budget was presented by John Holtzheimer and approved by the board. We need to keep membership numbers up and have profits from Vegas Night to keep costs in line to cover the Student Exchange Program.
Teri announced that she has appointed Dave Blair to the RCOB Foundation Board effective July 1, 2018. This adds an additional member to the Foundation Board.
Sandy McIntire has all his 2018-2019 Committees set and ready to go.
Monty McAllister, Chairman of the Rotary Youth Exchange reported that Ivanna Platt will be completing her stay with us June 19th and visiting the club before she leaves.
As this is the last Board meeting for John Holtzheimer (3 years), Treasurer, Nathan Twining (2 years), Arlie Norman (2 years) and Del VandeKerk (6 years), Teri thanked them for their service to our club and Rotary.
President Teri announced that the “Changing of the Guard” event scheduled for June 29 has been cancelled, because many of our members are otherwise committed and she was not sure it made sense to have another soiree type event this year. The Guard Change will instead take place at our regular meeting on July 9.
Teri thanked those Club members that had worked to make last week’s Student of the Year meeting a great success.
Guests of Rotarians:
Lynda Hinton introduced her daughter Kirstin Hunt with Chicago Title
Rob Olson brought Lisa Keeler
Cathy Buckley introduced Lowell Highley, Rose Knutson, Alan Knutson and Brian Seguin and Board Member of Puget Sound Honor Flight
Presentations:
There were no presentations this week. Stay tuned in two weeks for some presentations...
Program:
Program Chair Cathy Buckley introduced our program “Puget Sound Honor Flight” and the program presenters, Rose Knutsen, Brian Sequin, Rose’s father Lowell Higley and Mr. Higley’s granddaughter Lari Davis.
Rose Knutsen introduced the Honor Flight program, explaining that it involved flying a group of area military veterans from Seattle to Washington DC in October 2017 where they were part of a two-day nation-wide celebration to entertain and honor those who have served the country in time of war. The Seattle group was one of about 140 groups nation-wide that participated. Rose’s 99-year old father, Lowell Higley, was one of the 18 World War II veterans honored. A number of Korean and Viet Nam War veterans also participated, although the program emphasizes recognition of the most senior veterans from past conflicts.
Fifty five veteran honorees along with family members and folks designated as guardians for each of the senior vets were flown from SeaTac to Washington DC on a special Alaska Airlines plane emblazoned with the tribute “Honoring Those Who Serve.” The event was chronicled in a nicely done video that was shown at the meeting and narrated by Brian Sequin who had been one of the trip guardians. The honorees were sent off with a ceremony at SeaTac and welcomed with another ceremony as they landed in Washington DC. During the two-day trip they toured the WWII, Viet Nam, FDR, Navy, Air Force and Women’s memorials, Arlington National Cemetery where they were treated to a special Changing of the Guard ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown. Soldier. At the end of the first day they were guests at a Hero’s Banquet where their collective contributions were recognized. Upon arrival home in Seattle at the end of the trip, they were met with a bagpipe band and color guard ceremony at SeaTac airport.
The Honor Flight program is unique and special, as attested to by those who have participated. Mr. Higley’s granddaughter Lari Davis spoke briefly to the excitement she felt as a participant. Mr. Higley spoke to the thrill he experienced as an honoree. Finally, Brian Sequin, who has participated as a trip guardian for more than ten years, commented that his involvement in the Honors event has been one of his greatest ever experiences.
Some important final points were made by Brian during the brief closing Question and Answer session. Costs of the 2017 event were borne partly by the participants and partly by donations from area businesses such as Talking Rain and the Nissan dealership in Edmonds. More guardians are needed and Club members were encouraged to volunteer for service.
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