On Wednesday, November 15, the Rotary Club of Beaumont will recognize and honor individuals who exemplify a “Service Above Self” attitude in the performance of their job. These coveted awards are given annually to members of the community who demonstrate exceptional service, honesty, and friendliness in the performance of their jobs. With the date intentionally chosen to be near Thanksgiving, it is the perfect time to express appreciation for the good work of others in our community and be thankful for the exemplary service they demonstrate.
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Head Table for November 15
Invocation:
Pat Anderson
Sales
Becker Print and Mail
Pledges to USA & Texas Flags:
Roger Bemis
Principal
Monsignor Kelly Catholic High School
Introduction of Guests:
Jay Wilson
Multi-Media Consultant
SoutheastTexas.com
Would you like to take part in the weekly meetings in a more active role? Don't wait to be asked. Volunteer for one of the weekly assignments! Choose your role and a date that is convenient. Contact Barry Bryant at 409-656-4108 or bbryant@billclarkbugsperts.com.
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CALENDAR OF ROTARY EVENTS
(Opportunities for meeting makeups)
15
Foundation Board of Trustees meeting; following Rotary meeting; Suite 216
17-18
Beaumont Rotary with Habitat for Humanity! Sign up online or at the meeting on 11-15-17
22
NO MEETING - THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY
28
Board of Directors meeting, 11:45 a.m., The Art Museum of Southeast Texas
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It is time to don your "Rotarian at Work" shirt and plan to help re-build a home damaged in the recent flooding. There are actually three homes needing immediate repairs and every volunteer will have the chance to help a family get back into their home. We will have help from the Lamar Construction Management students so even if you feel you lack skills for this type work, there will be ways you can learn and help. Come out on Friday, November 17 and/or Saturday, November 18.
Volunteers are asked to report to: 4416 Galveston, Beaumont, TX 77703. On both days, Safety Orientation will be at 8:00 a.m. (required to attend) and work will start following the training. There will be a lunch break and work will resume at 12:00 p.m. If you are only able to work in the afternoon, please plan to arrive for a brief Safety Orientation at 12:00 Noon.
Volunteers are asked to please bring the following:
Water bottle
Work gloves and safety glasses
If you have a favorite hammer or tool belt you may bring that.
Wear loose fitting lightweight clothes that are appropriate for the weather.
Sturdy shoes (no sandals, flip-flops, or slip-on shoes)
Plan to save an hour of time on Saturday, December 9 to help with "bell-ringing" for the Salvation Army Red Kettle drive. At the meeting on Wednesday, November 15, Chairman Twila Baker will invite your participation and provide details.
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Welcome to the Newest Rotarians in the World!
Lori Allen is the Community Service and Public Relations Director for Forest Lawn Memorial Park and finds her job most rewarding as she loves helping others through her work. Lori has two teenage sons and loves the southeast Texas area where she can be outdoors with them at the beach or fishing and crabbing.
Sue Bard is Executive Director of the Southeast Texas Arts Council, and it makes perfect sense when she states her hobbies are painting and drawing. Sue has lived in several states including Nebraska where she learned to shovel snow, Alabama where she learned to quilt, and California where she learned about earthquakes. She is happily back in Texas where she was born. Sue was proposed by Bridget Johnson
Lynn Hill is a former teacher at Martin Elementary after twenty years in the profession. Rotarians working at Martin on the "measuring" day of the post-Harvey "Shoes for Students" project were fortunate to meet Lynn who jumped in to help without hesitation. Since leaving teaching a year ago, Lynn has been working as co-owner of NuVation Tek with her husband, Sylvester, who proposed her membership.
Jessica James, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Southern Homes, was proposed by Ann Scoggin. Jessica is proud mother of a 7-year old daughter, and is eager to become a top-producer in her profession. She has a strong interest in becoming involved in Rotary and in the community.
These ladies and all the new Rotarians are anxious to serve and help others. Give them a call and invite them to work!
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THANK YOU, FLAG VOLUNTEERS!
With nearly 500 flags to distribute in a short amount of time, it takes a large group of capable volunteers, and we are lucky enough to have them - at the ready, every time they are called to duty.
A sincere thank you to our fantastic team led by Pat Anderson and Gary Moncla:
Lynn Hill
Gene Arnold
Sylvester Hill
Larry Beaulieu
Karen Husbands and Ronnie
Roger Bemis
Dan Jeans and Paula
Brad Brown
Leonard Juncker
Pat Calhoun
Sharen Kirksey
Lynn Castle and Kris
Gigi Mazzola
Cindy Cherry
John Neely
Charlie Cox
Lane Olson
Joe Domino
Michael Perez
Phil Dunlap
Sean Perrodin
Shedrick Evans
Vernon Pierce
Carolyn Fernandez
Mahdi Safa
Rob Glassey
Alan Sampson
(soon-to-be-member) Jennifer Gregory
David Shoemaker
Chuck Heare
Stephanie Shoemaker
Gary Hidalgo
Tim Sudela
Allan Higgins
Linsi Walker
Thank you to each of you!
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OZEN HIGH SCHOOL INTERACT INSTALLED
Rotarians were on hand for the official installation of the Ozen High School Interact Club on Thursday, November 9. Like the Central Interact, the group was approved by Rotary International in April of 2017 but the Club leaders were anxious to have a special event to mark the occasion properly.
The Interacters present for the Installation are pictured here. The Rotarians who are serving as sponsors with this inaugural group are Sean M. Perrodin (back row, left) and Karyn Husbands (back row, right).
Club officers for the year are (left to right): President Elect-Caelan Carr, Treasurer-Curtis Jackson, Secretary- Cindy Rodriguez, Vice President-Stefhani Herrarte, and 2017-18 President-Benjamin Harris
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Linda Williams
November 15
Jeffrey Beaver
November 19
Jim Broussard
November 20
Tim Gaddis
November 20
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We extend heartfelt sympathy to Rotarian
Gerald Condon
on the death of his mother
BOBBIE JEAN CONDON
October 6, 1928 - November 2, 2017
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We send wishes for a quick recovery to our friends and fellow Rotarians who are ill, are anticipating or recovering from surgery, or just in need of encouragement and support.
Roger McCabe
If you know of others who should be added to this list, please advise the office staff at 409-842-1913.
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PROGRAM REVIEW
November 8, 2017
"Veterans in the Shadows"
Kerwin Stone
Veteran
United States Air Force
by Diane Bass
Kerwin Stone is a Vietnam Veteran and member of the United States Air Force. He was introduced by a fellow Veteran, W.L. Pate. Kerwin has dedicated his life to working with veterans and advocating for their benefits and fair treatment. He has served as President of Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) Chapter 292 in Beaumont since 2005, and he is currently serving as Vice President of the VVA Texas State Council. He also serves as a member of the Board of Directors of the national organization, Vietnam Veterans of America, Inc.
Kerwin comes from a long line of family members who have served in the military as far back as the Revolutionary War. He knew he would join and be an active member of the armed services as a small child playing army with his friends on the playground. While in high school he studied about an obscure country – Vietnam. He had no idea that he would visit that small country as a member of the United States Air Force. He was involved in top secret missions after receiving security clearance as a satellite technician and surveillance officer. He quickly realized that what he had seen on television was not the real depiction of war. In the field, he found that when men are shot they bleed and some die.
He returned from duty to find that he was not received as the previous war veterans had been received. The Vietnam War was controversial and the men and women who fought in the war were often treated with disgust. They were not given parades and honors. As a result, the veterans bonded together at the universities and in their communities. They didn’t share “war stories” but helped each other cope with the after effects of war memories and health problems. This started his journey of advocacy. He obtained his law degree at UT in Austin and came to Beaumont to work and raise his family.
During the 80’s he noticed sleep disturbances and troubling dreams. He learned about the toxic chemicals that he was exposed to while in Vietnam as well as on training bases. This strengthened his resolve to help those exposed receive the medical care they needed. The mental and psychological problems associated with survivor’s guilt and PTSD needed to be addressed as well as the physical.
Kerwin found a welcoming community in his home of Beaumont. He has found fellow veterans and community leaders receptive to assisting veterans of all wars, including those being fought today in Afghanistan and other parts of the world. He’s learned that veterans will help and accept help from other veterans. This attitude of helping is powerful. There are so many areas that need this type of assistance. Even in our prison system there is a group of incarcerated veterans at the Stiles Unit. Veterans visit the prison to help this special group of prisoners. Veterans helping Veterans.
Kerwin thanked our community and our leaders for their support. He was given a standing ovation from our Rotarians in honor of his service in Vietnam as well as for his service to other veterans today.
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