October 7, 2015

October 7, 2015

Valence Lutaisire was our special guest speaker, visiting from Unganda. Valence is a rotarian and this is his 4th visit to the US. He is the only one in his village to go to university. He started a school that has 120 kids and has started a 2nd school to reach more children. The kids walk 5 miles to get to school and are given 2 meals daily, for some its the only food they receive. Steve Curry is organizing a trip to Unganda in the spring, if you interested in going let him know. Our Board voted to sponsor 2 children.

October 14, 2015

World War II Veteran, Emil Minacicci was our guest. He served in the United States Navy from 1943 to 1949 as a Water Tender 2nd Class. While he never saw any battles he did commission and de-commission a ship in 1949, which made him a plank owner. Emil's job was to make sure there was fresh water for the ship. He served on the USS Delong.

USS DeLong (DE-684) was a Rudderow-class destroyer escort built at Quincy, Massachusetts, was launched on 23 November 1943 and was commissioned on 31 December 1943, Lt. Comdr. R.C. Houston in command. It was named after Weldon Fader DeLong, who was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross for his action at Guadalcanal.

During World War II DeLong served primarily as a training ship for officers and men that were about to embark on ships assigned to anti-submarine warfare (ASW) duties. In early 1946 DeLong was decommissioned and assigned to the Reserve Fleet at Green Cove Springs, Florida. Following the outbreak of hostilities in Korea, DeLong was reactivated and on 7 February 1951 was again commissioned.

After a short training period DeLong was assigned to Escort Squadron Eight, Destroyer Force, U. S. Atlantic Fleet. During this period of service DeLong participated in several Fleet Exercises and Midshipmen Cruises. In addition to routine fleet support missions, DeLong often served as a training ship for the Fleet Sonar School, Key West, Florida. On 3 January 1958, DeLong was assigned Group II status, joining the newly formed Reserve ASW Program in the 3d Naval District.

During the Berlin Crisis of 1960-1961, DeLong was assigned to the U. S. Atlantic Fleet as part of Escort Squadron 18 and homeported in Newport, Rhode Island. During this period DeLong operated extensively in the Caribbean area. On 1 August 1961, DeLong resumed her Group II status, operating under Commander, Naval Reserve Destroyer Division, 3d Naval District.

DeLong was decommissioned and struck from naval records in the late 1960s and was sunk as a target on 19 February 1970. (Articile from Wikipedia)

After the War Emil married his high school sweetheart and started a clothing store next to his father's tailor shop, he later moved to Santa Monica and was the manager of Harris and Frank.

Deb Jeffers of the American Cancer Society, Relay for Life, was our featured speaker during the October 14th meeting.

Deb's training was as a X--ray Tech and worked at San Francisco General, where she was diagnosed with brain cancer. She underwent brain surgery and was told she might not ever walk or talk. Her family has been touched by cancer with both a niece, who lossed her fight at age 7 and also her mother, who today cancer free.

Deb has worked for the cancer society for 7 years, heading the Relay for Life program. Relay for Life stated in Washington state and is now gobal with 493 relays in California. Our local relay is called the 5 cities relay and will take place in August 2016. The proceeds from the race goes towards cancer research (none in our area), prevention and education, programs & services and advocacy. Deb encouraged us to get involved, form or join a team, become a sponsor and/or made a donation, or volunteer at the event.

Do you want your business card featured in the bullentin? All it takes is a $25 donation like Scott & Sandy with Blair Properties.