At Rotary, we have no tolerance for racism. Promoting respect, celebrating diversity, demanding ethical leadership, and working tirelessly to advance peace are central tenets of our work.

 

We have more work to do to create more just, open and welcoming communities for all people.

 

We know there are no easy fixes and that challenging conversations and work lie before all of us. Rotary’s strength has long been our ability and commitment to bringing people together. We will tap into that strength now as we stand with those who are working for peace and justice. 

 

Rotary will do our part to listen, learn and take action to ensure that we continue to contribute to making positive change.

Long-time Sycamore Rotarian Bob Hammon is among a select group of people receiving Rotary International’s “Service Above Self” award.  Considered the highest honor that can be bestowed by the Rotary International board, Bob’s receipt of the award was announced by District Governor Bobbi Burke during her Zoom meeting visit to the club June 3.  She showed off an engraved crystal plaque and pin that will be coming to Bob.  He was recognized for his long-term commitment to Rotary within District 6420 including serving as club president (1992-93); Sycamore Rotarian of the Year (2003); District Governor (2012-13); and most recently District Treasurer.  District Governor Burke noted that only 150 people worldwide receive the “Service Above Self” honor during any given year.  CONGRATULATIONS BOB!

District 6420 Vice-Governor Steve Kuhn assembled outgoing and incoming executives for a full briefing on the past year’s achievements and the coming year’s opportunities at the club’s June 3 Zoom meeting.  Here is a summary of their remarks:

 

Immediate Past District Governor and Foundation Chair Kathy Kwiat-Hess – Rotarians have until the end of the month to make charitable donations for the current fiscal year.  She explained the work of the three Foundation funds: The Annual Fund; Polio Plus; and the Disaster Relief Fund.  

 

District Governor Bobbi Burke – With the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic, she went from “driving” to “zooming” as a means of communicating with district clubs.  She said it definitely was a time to “think outside the box”.  She optimistically encouraged club members to not dwell on events that were lost but to think forward on what can happen by incorporating newly used technology into club events in the future.

 

District Governor Elect Tom Brooks – The future will probably include a hybrid of traditional meetings and virtual meetings.  Plans for his installation banquet are still under development considering COVID-19 restrictions.  He noted that youth exchange programs are cancelled, but did point out that the International Convention will be held on-line June 20-26, allowing greater engagement of the entire worldwide Rotary membership (details at www.rotary.org).

 

District Governor Nominee David Bills – He will be training new club officers when he succeeds Tom Brooks as Governor Elect.  He has been a Rotarian for 20 years and had a 42-year career in education, the last 18 as a school district superintendent.  He is a member of the River Cities Club whose members come from five towns along the Mississippi River in northern Rock Island County.

 

District Governor Nominee Designate Laura Kann – Laura came to the Princeton Club five years ago from Atlanta to help with care for her mother.  This followed a 30-year career with the Centers for Disease Control.  She has been District grant chair and she encouraged Sycamore Rotarians to consider undertaking a service project that would qualify for a Rotary grant.

 

As new officers prepare to assume duties at the end of the month, it was announced that Steve Kuhn will become district treasurer, succeeding Bob Hammon.

June 3, 1937 – The Duke of Windsor marries twice-divorced American socialite Wallis Simpson (as King Edward VIII he abdicated the British throne the previous December to avoid a constitutional crisis by marrying a divorced woman).

 

June 4, 1989 – The Chinese government ordered troops to open fire on unarmed protesters in Tienanmen Square, Beijing, with an estimated 3,000 killed and 1,600 arrested.

 

June 5, 1783 – The first sustained flight occurred as a hot air balloon was launched at Annonay, France, by brothers Joseph and Jacques Montgolfier.

 

June 5, 1968 – Robert F. Kennedy was shot and mortally wounded while leaving the Hotel Ambassador in Los Angeles after celebrating his victory in the California Presidential Primary.

In preparation for the Normandy landings, General Dwight D. Eisenhower, as Supreme Allied Commander, delivered the following message to the troops (taken from the transcript of General Eisenhower's Order of the Day, 1944). 

 

"Soldiers, Sailors, and Airmen of the Allied Expeditionary Force: You are about to embark upon the Great Crusade, toward which we have striven these many months. The eyes of the world are upon you. The hope and prayers of liberty-loving people everywhere march with you. 

 

Your task will not be an easy one. Your enemy is well trained, well equipped and battle-hardened. He will fight savagely. 

 

The tide has turned! The free men of the world are marching together in Victory! I have full confidence in your courage, devotion to duty, and skill in battle. We will accept nothing less than full victory! Good luck! And let us all beseech the blessing of Almighty God upon this great and noble undertaking."