Newsletter - Archive  Mar 25, 2010

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Editarian: Jerry Allen                                                                        

Club Photographer : Brad Mikel 

Next Week

March 31, 2010

Rotational

Meeting will be at Val Cunningham's studio

8101 E. Belleview

Meeting will begin at 11:30 and end at 1:00

Important:  respond to cvalcat@aol.com  so an accurate number of meals can be ordered. 

Go to NE corner of South Ulster and E. Belleview in"Marina Square Place".  Park on the NE side of the building, enter the courtyard and T.G. Danzport is in the center of the courtyard toward the rear.

No meeting at the Double Tree 

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President Susan is pleased to initiate the use of the new PA system that Howard Hall procured for the club.

This Week

March 24, 2010

Rocky Mountain Honor Flight

 WWII memorial in Washington DC. 

The memorial consists of a reflecting pool with an arch at each end, one representing The European Theatre and one representing The Pacific Theatre.  The reflecting pool is surrounded by columns, one for each state.  There are fountains representing major battles.

People have a profound sense of gratitude as they look at the 4068 gold stars and realize each one represents 1000 military members killed in WWII.

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Arlen Cohn introduced Lee White and Mary Haddon principals in the Rocky Mountain Honor Flight.

Lee White, Vice President of Operations, of Rocky Mountain Honor Flight, told us the Mission of the Honor Flight:

to transport our American veterans to Washington D.C. for two days of remembrance, honor and celebration of their service and sacrifice.  Top priority is given to the most senior veterans, the World War II heroes as well as those veterans from all conflicts who may be terminally ill.  This journey is at no cost to the veterans. 

Mary Haddon, President of the Rocky Mountain Honor Flight,  told how each guardian accompanies 6 veterans on a Southwest flight for the weekend.  Guardians pay their own way.  $850 sponsors one veteran.

There are less than 1.7 million veterans left and 1200 die per day.  This highlights the urgency of organizing the flights.  The average age of the veterans is 84-85.  Many of the veterans are wheelchair bound.  They visit The WWII Memorial, The Korean War Memorial, The Vietnam Memorial, The FDR Memorial, The Marines Iwo Jima Memorial, and The Lone Sailor Memorial.

One of the highlights is the visit to Arlington National Cemetery for the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

So far, Senator Robert Dole primary founder of the WWII Memorial has been on hand to meet the veterans.

This is an appropriate way to honor "The Greatest Generation".

Winston Churchill said "Never have so many owed so much to so few" with regard to the RAF and the Battle of Britain.

The same is true of the WWII veterans.

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Recomendation: For buffs of historical WWII Military Novels, don't miss Jeff Shaara's trilogy: The Rising Tide, A Novel of WWII, The Steel Wave, A Novel of WWII, and No Less Than Victory, A Novel of WWII.

Arlen Cohn described the emotional impact he felt when he was one of the Guardians that accompanied a flight with his dad Lou.

Arlen enjoys a joke as he introduces his dad Lou.  Lou served in the Army from 1942-43 and mustered out as a PFC.

Dave Williams collects "Happy Bucks" from Chief Oates and Steve Snyder.

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 Chief Oates announced the annual wine auction to benefit the Aurora Symphony Orchestra that is going to be held 4/24 at 5:00 PM at Dumitri's at Heather Ridge Country Club.  People are asked to donate bottles of wine that are auctioned at the event.

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President Susan reminded members that 4/24 is also the Rotary Service Day to help Project Cure pack survival supplies.

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Bill Wiggins agreed to head up a drive to get a good contingent to go to District 5450 District Conference being held in Fort Collins for the first time.  Members can look forward to inspirational meetings and fellowship in the Aurora Clubs hospitality room.

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4-28 2nd Wind Breakfast at Infinity Park - 4400 E Kentucky 7:30 to 8:30. The breakfast is complementary but a donation is appropriate.

The Rotary Club of Aurora gratefully acknowledges the sponsors who support our website Please click on the Sponsors name to visit their website and see what services and specials they offer. Aurora Chamber of Commerce Body Beautiful Collision Repair Dave Williams & Associates LLC Doug Evans Agency State Farm Insurance Edward Jones Ev Sequeira Wagner Law Office Craig Wagner YMCA of The Rockies Please click here to find out more about these sponsors.