October 29, 2007 Spokesman

Visiting Rotarians/Guests , David Laub, Bellevue, noon.  Mary-Alyce Burleigh introduced her guest, Eric Olsen, Kirkland Chief of Police. GG Getz introduced her guest, David  Friedman, who just returned from China.   Our student of the month, Paulina Przystupa with Mom Alisha from Juanita High School, was introduced and offered her impression of Rotary.  Coincidentally, Paulina has known President Rachel for 9 years and 5 years ago she completed a class project by addressing our Rotary group about Ghana.  Paulina is passionate about reading, writing and the arts and was so moved by her positive Rotary experience that she wants to become active in Roteract, once she gets to college.   Our exchange student from Switzerland, Pascal Weber, enjoyed his past week and saw the International Ballet's Dracula, which he said was "great."

Club business:  Both Bill Taylor and Gary Bruner have submitted their names as candidates for 5030 District Governor in 2010.  Bob Webb made the motion that our club endorse them both seconded by John Woodbery and the club was unanimous with its endorsement.    Congratulations Bill and Gary!!!!

Announcements

·         Pat Dye on Operation Warm Coat will be Nov. 3rd from 9:30 AM-1:30 PM at John Muir Elementary, 14012 132^nd Ave. N.E., Kirkland, WA98034.  We will meet in the gymnasium, enter to the right of the school building.  

·         Thanks to new member (?), Dick Westin and Carl Boruck for picking up all 165 of the coats on 10-26 and delivering them to John Muir.  Thanks to Brett Johnson for providing the truck.

·         We have $3,000 in our budget for any special literacy programs.  If you have an idea as to a good use for these funds, please inform President Rachel.  

·         Pat Swenson reminded us of the Reading Buddy Program which starts on Nov. 7th.  Have your background information back to Pat.

·         Dick Weston will have sign ups next week for the QFC Salvation Army Donations operation in the coming months of November and December. 

·         John Overleese has room available in the upcoming Alcohol Awareness evening on November 10^th, Sparklings and Champagnes.  Cost is $25 per person.

·         New member, Tom Tuttle, announced that he would be hosting a holiday party at the Flame Restaurant, along with Ben F. Pierce and Capt. B. Jay Hunnicutt on December 24^th.

·         Dan Bartel announced that the November 10th Rotary First Harvest work party.  Car pooling will be at 70^th St. park and ride at 8:15 AM, departing at 8:30 AM to the warehouse at Pier 91. The work party should conclude at noon and lunch will follow at Fisherman's Terminal.

·         President Rachel thanked Bill Taylor and Dan Bartel for agreeing to co-chair both the Duck Dash AND the 4^th of July Picnic. 

·         Patti Smith gave $20  "Happy Dollars" for Pat Swenson's invitation and hosting of the International Ballet's dinner and auction.  Pat not only hosted a table, but had all of her guests picked up in a limo!

·         Katherine Kehrli needs someone to take on the Thanksgiving families or it won't happen.

·         Elizabeth Rusnak announced that pneumonia and flu shots for seniors project has been rescheduled to Nov. 29^th 11:00 AM to 1:30 PM and Dec 6^th, 11:30 am - 1:00 pm at Kirkland Hopelink. 5 Rotarians are needed to support the effort each of these dates.

·         Bob Webb announced that our Rotary meetings are now listed prominently in the "Community Activities" section of the Kirkland Courier.  The Courier is anxious to include our material, but we must provide it for them.  Bob is going to try to get the Courier to John Muir for Operation Warm Coat.

Patti Smith introduced our speaker, William S. Gould, MD to speak on "U.S. Army Rangers and the events at Harmony Church"

Dr. Gould provided a highly entertaining vision of his initial and lasting impressions of Army Rangers.  Due to the loss of his 2^nd Lt. epaulets at a friends West Point wedding; drinking, to calm his nerves, as a non-drinker; the improper use of a sword as a bridal hairpiece arrangement tool; standing at attention in a restroom next to a 3 star General; Bill did not command a motorized unit in Viet Nam.  In the winter of 1968, a 2^nd Lt. From White Plains, NY entered the first of 3 phases of ArmyRangerSchool.   

Bill's first 3 weeks of his 9 weeks of Army Ranger training were at "HarmonyChurch", at Ft. Benning, Georgia.  Still smarting and a bit cocky from his "transfer" to Ranger school, when asked how long he could swim, he said, "forever."  Everything was done while on your feet.  No matter ones weight, everyone lost 40 pounds during this 3 week period.  After the first 3 weeks 100 prospective Rangers were left out of the original 160.  Bill eventually finished the grueling course and became a ranger.

Recently Bill and his wife, made the 500 mile walk from Georgia to Florida,  to the 3 sites of his Ranger training schools.  He wanted to complete part of the training regime, but the Army said no.  When he said that he was a Ranger, they checked for his "green card", found it in the class of 1968, with his name on it and on the back of the card was written but 2 words, "swims forever."   Bill offered that in his class there were 3 Navy Seals, who viewed this training as a vacation from their training.  They finished 1, 2 and 3 in the graduating class of 80, Bill finished 4^th.  Dr. Gould strongly suggested that everyone get their flu shots this year, as this years strain is a bad one. 

Still operating as that well oiled machine, Steve, the Honey Pot ducks were visiting our U.S. flag.  President Rachel replaced the ducks with  4 pieces of paper to improve the odds of winning for Rick Ostrander, who guessed that the winning paper to be 2 and it was a 3.

Meeting adjourned at 7:36 PM  Respectfully submitted with some latitude, Chuck Brockway (one of 3 people who had no announcement)