Rotary was more like Family Day at our table. Brian Saylors sat with his two Downey Rotary sons Spencer and Ethan; Jennifer Kirkwood, daughter of Bill Kirkwood, and her colleague Julianne, have decided both would like to join.
Tom Hutchinson joined us, his thick thatch of prematurely white hair a reminder of his dad, Chuck Hutchinson, our president from 1974-75.
Father and son Raul and Alex Lopez usually anchor another table. We miss Alex’s wife Jenette, also our club member. Husband and wife Joanna and Ronnie Fernandez sit there too.
When I asked Jennifer what areas of service she would be interested in, once she has joined, she said, “Tell me what there is.” I asked Tom to help me list our activities, and he talked about the children’s Christmas luncheon. I started to tick off the areas of global interest, and got as far as clean water. I gave up trying, and just said, “Listen to the Announcements. That shows you what each member cares about.”
SAVE THE DATE President-Elect Barbara Lamberth announced that Friday, June 23 will be the Demotion Dinner, a traditional celebration and roast that we always look forward to. It’s the President-Elect’s job to arrange a gala evening, plus a printed program –it used to be a Directory with pictures and addresses - with the names of all Club Members, and Past Presidents. We look forward to what Barbara has planned.
MEMBERSHIP was the key, as we inducted two new members, “the newest Rotarians in all the world,” as Ray Brown the Emcee observed. “There are three steps for new members to follow,” Ray said. “First, you’ll find friendship. Next, volunteer for something. Anything. Try getting outside of your comfort zone – just get into the stream.”
“And third,” Ray said, “you can participate in the events we put on, the work parties as well as the social occasions, like the Demotion Dinner coming up. Getting to know your fellow Rotarians is the heart of Rotary.”
We welcomed new Downey Rotarians Julie Garcia and Manny Meraz, and both spoke well and briefly, to introduce themselves. Welcome, Julie and Manny.
RUN FOR THE WALL Greg Welch told us about his participation in the annual motorcycle ride from California to Washington D.C., c. specifically to the Viet Nam Wall Memorial Wall. “We ride for those who can’t,” Greg said. “To honor veterans. and call for an accounting.”
There needs to be better accountability, said Greg, for those who were taken Prisoners of War, POWs. or are Missing in Action, MIA, in wartime. Their families and loved ones need to know what happened to them.
The massive and stark black marble wall is the most-visited memorial on the National Mall in Washington. The Wall lists the names of the more than 58,000 servicemen and women who lost their lives during the Vietnam War.
The 10 day 3,000 mile motorcycle ride is a strenuous and colorful expedition, through deserts, mountain country, farmlands. “The people in the towns we pass through,” said Greg, “they know we’re coming. They’re out there with flags.”
REMINDER: MAY 16 We meet at the Arc, at Washburn and Woodruff,
