President Stacie called the meeting to order at 12:04 on the mark. The Pledge was led by Cara Sauceda followed by a Christmas carol, (I sang it, but forgot which one) followed by an unsung Rotary greeting. Mike Eriksen brought two guests to our club. They are the owners of Seasons Eatings. New members hopefully.
There were no Birthday celebrations due to none of them being present, and we did not have anything new for the Sunshine Report.
Our next meeting will be January 4, 2024 so have an enjoyable Christmas, New Year or other holiday or your choice. Alan Donaldson has made attractive “Service above Self” posters for Rotarians to display in their place of business. Grab one and display it!
Cara returned to introduce our December Rotary Youth of the Month, Cameron Gill. Young Cameron is a 12-year-old 6th grader who was a “slam dunk” choice for this honor. He is involved with too many activities and interests to list on one page, but highlights are appearances in the Wichita Theater and playing saxophone in the school band.
Lance Spruiell then presented his “fox hole buddy”, Brady Woolsey with a Paul Harris Fellow certificate and medal. Congratulations Brady!
Next up, Carol Murray then cruised the room with the Brag Bucket and there was a lot of bragging to be bragged about. Cara Sauceda announced our club’s food drive added 374 pounds of canned goods to Interfaith Mission. Carla Dowlen has a baseball championship nephew, Tommy Richardson’s niece on a national championship water polo team from La Jolla, California, James Hughes’ daughter took 2nd place in a Dallas soccer tournament, and Carol Murray announced the opening of a third Frank and Joe’s coffee shop location on SW Parkway.
President Stacie recognized executive secretary, Tina Williams, for her outstanding help in running the club this year. I’m not finished yet….Carla Dowlen made it back to the podium with a gorgeous Pecan Pie and sold it Norris Martin for a generous club donation, which will help to buy some Rotary Swag. Whew!
Josh Phillips then introduced Sergeant Charlie Eipper, a 30-year veteran of the Wichita Falls Police Department and its Public Communications officer. Officer Eipper spoke about post-traumatic stress disorder or more accurately, stress injury. He explained that stress injury can occur to anyone who experiences an incident that is life threatening or one that might cause serious injury. In the military, this issue was called being shell shocked or battle fatigue. Such an event can create a chemical imbalance in the brain, a brain injury, that results in physical or emotional pain, bad dreams, anxiety, and even suicidal thoughts. Eipper continued by mentioning his book, “Jesus Christ on Killing” (available on Amazon), helps individuals resolve the moral injury that can result from the conflict of being involved in a person’s death while maintaining one’s religious beliefs. Peer groups and counseling are used to help those who experience this moral injury dilemma. More recently, peace officer training includes sessions dealing with moral injury and programs available if it were to occur. After a lengthy Q&A period, President Stacie announced a donation to the WFISD Foundation will be made in Officer Eipper’s name following his presentation.
The Rotary Spotlight was on Pam Leonardi, a local realtor who moved here with her Air Force husband and loves the community and being a Rotarian. Glad you’re with us, Pam!
After the 4 Way Test we skedaddled! See you on January 4, 2024.