President's Message 6/1/2016

For any of you who have never had the opportunity to join the Club in its efforts to place American Flags on all of the graves in the St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Biddeford, I would recommend that you do it next year.  It was truly a unique chance to understand what Memorial Day is all about and I want to thank Julie Villemaire for organizing the effort each year.

    The St. Joseph’s Cemetery is fairly large with countless grave sites.  What was remarkable to me was the sheer number of graves for veterans from the Spanish American War up through Afghanistan.  It was absolutely amazing to see how many people in the St. Joseph’s Cemetery fought in either the First or Second World Wars.  They are truly people whose unselfish acts helped shape the freedoms we have today.  It was humbling and admittedly a bit haunting to respectfully try and make sure that all of the brave men and women got their flags.  

    I have been to many Memorial Day parades and other events, but I have to admit that carefully walking through the cemetery as respectfully as possible while making sure not to miss any fallen heroes gave me a far different perspective about the lives of people who were willing to sacrifice everything for their country.  I would recommend the experience to everyone next year.

    Just a reminder that tomorrow, June 1, will be Foundation Day.  It will be our Club’s chance to encourage everyone in the Club to donate to the Rotary Foundation.  
Tomorrow please bring in a contribution to the Foundation.  Make a check out to our club earmarked for the Foundation. Bring in cash if you want and tell us it is for the Foundation.  The donation is tax deductible.  For every $5.00 that you give you will be eligible for a drawing for some fabulous swag donated by club members.  So if you donate $100 you will get 20 chances for some cool stuff with the twist that it will be kind of a Yankee swap as well so we will really have some fun with this.  SO PLEASE BRING IN A DONATION TO THE FOUNDATION ON JUNE 1 AND SUPPORT A GREAT CAUSE WHILE HAVING SOME FUN. 
 
Thanks Bill