Meeting Recap for Monday, May 12, 2014
Monday was Rotary Club of Sacramento’s annual Armed Forces Day celebration with more than 50 current and former active duty military present—including 11 RCOS members who are veterans of World War II—at the Red Lion Woodlake.
Chair of the Day and Past-President “Top Gun” Tim Pinkney led the celebration, which included a band and color guard provided by the California National Guard and a standing ovation for the procession of Rotarians who have served in the military.
Featured speaker of the day was Brigadier General Matthew Beevers, Deputy Adjutant General of the California National Guard, who talked about all the functions the Guard performs locally, nationally and internationally.
Beevers also provided insight into some of the current policy discussions surrounding budgets for reserve forces versus “standing” armed forces. And he urged Rotarians to hire reservists and to be supportive of the Guard’s mental health programs.
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Another featured part of the Armed Forces Day celebration was the slide presentation by former RCOS member (and now Reno resident) Bob Jacobson of his return visit to Korea nearly 50 years after serving there during the Korean War.
Jacobson and 66 other vets were hosted by a Korean military veterans organization, taken on tours around the countryside they had fought for (including a visit to the de-militarized zone) and given Ambassador of Peace medals.
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Past-President Skip Lawrence presented President Thom Gilbert with a letter from Governor Jerry Brown, congratulating RCOS on its 100th Anniversary. Past-President Jon Snyder reminded everyone of the big gala coming up next Saturday. More than 600 people have already signed up.
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President Thom managed to squeeze in one round of “Roast, Boast & Toast,” nicking Sacramento Region Community Foundation’s Shirlee Tully for $100 toward an Eddie Mulligan and Paul Harris in recognition of the highly successful Big Day of Giving that tripled its objective.
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Robyn DeLong provided the Invocation, Jim Craig added the final thought (actually 2 final thoughts) and Aaron French and David Hill were the greeters. Mike Bullington sponsored the pre-meeting wine reception and everyone enjoyed music by the National Guard Band.
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There will be no regular weekly meetings May 19 or May 26 because of the anniversary gala and Memorial Day.
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