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President for a day, Robin Echtle rang the bell right at 12:02pm at the weekly meeting of Tacoma #8 Rotary at the Tacoma Yacht Club. Donna Haynes gave the reflection, followed by Past President Mark Anderson leading everyone in the National Anthem on this Veterans Day program, and the four way test, accompanied on the piano by Barbara Mead. Thanks given to Jonathan Murray, Uncharted Waters, for sponsoring today’s meeting. Robin asked us to sign cards being circulated for Bob Swanson who had hip surgery recently and a card for the wife of George Williams, who passed away. There will be a eulogy for George in the near future. He was 93 and was our longest tenured member at 67 years. Visiting Rotarians and Guests were asked to stand as mics were brought around by Elaine Chan FIOH, and Gil Quante, N2Publishing. There were a large number of guests today, including our two Exchange Students, Nico from France and Gabriel from Sweden who told us he went to the Seattle Seahawks game on Sunday. There was a table of guests from the Tacoma Pierce County Chamber of Commerce, Past President Pat Steel had a table of military guests, and President Elect Kathryn Nelson had guests of the Military Person of the year. Robin invited Past President Mark Anderson to the podium to give some reflections on his military service, which included graduating from the Naval Academy and joining the Nuclear Submarine force and his 21 years of service during the cold war. Next Past President Pat Steel came forward to reflect on his military service and career. He was drafted into the U.S. Army in March of 1953. He applied to Officer Candidate School and served in Korea. While a recruiting officer in Louisiana, he met his future wife, and they have been married now for 59 years. He served in Germany where he became a Company Commander. Robin called forward from America’s Credit Union, Jacob Cuthbertson, to present the Military Citizen of the Year Award, the John Anderson Award, to Technical Sergeant Joel Johnson, whose wife Chelsey Johnson accepted the honor in his absence. Robin then called forward Jonathan Murray from Uncharted Waters to introduce today’s speaker, CMSgt Trisha Almond, recently retired from Camp Murray. She recognized veterans in the audience and said she has tried to make service members better by helping them and using events during the year to do that, in transitions and employment. She loved to take care of soldiers and airmen. Among her passions were ‘Say Yes to a Vet’ and asked everyone to keep in mind spouses of our service members, and emphasizing to potential employers the skills a Vet would bring to a job. Statewide there are over 1,000 employers participating. Robin gave the podium to our meeting sponsor, Jonathan Murray who said that all next week, Veterans will receive free ‘floats’. Past President Brien Elvins had a paid announcement to announce his annual dinner and toy drive on Dec. 5 to benefit ‘Toys for the Children’. Sharon Chambers Gordon came forward to talk about ‘Raising Girls’ and a project at the November 21st meeting, packing necessary hygiene products for girls. There were cards on the tables for members to fill out with inspirational messages for the young ladies who will be receiving the packages. Pat Steel reminded everyone of the Giving Tree which began today. He urged everyone to take an ornament and return it with an unwrapped gift or a gift card of at least a $25 value. Two service anniversaries were celebrated today, Stephen Deal with 3 years, who was present, and Past President Larry Ghilarducci, 57 years of service. Immediate Past President Linda Kaye Briggs came forward to help celebrate birthdays. Present was a large group of members celebrating November birthdays: Mark Anderson, Diane Tilstra, Amy Wigstrom, Dane Meyer, Greg Rolsma, Carlyn Roy, Miriam Barnett, Michele Johnson, Corey Hjalseth, David Flentge, Jonathan Murray, Kelly Lane, and Jacki Farrar. Robin also announced the slate of Board Candidates: Dean Carrell, Jacki Farrar, Andrew Imholt, Seth Kaplowitz, Chris Serface, Sherri Stanton, Alex Trettin and Clay Zhang. To be nominated for Club Secretary will be Cindy Grady. Next week’s Thursdays at 5 meeting will be at the Greater Tacoma Convention center. Nomination forms for the Lifetime Achievement Award were in the baskets on the table along with forms for the EFN Break Bags project and Bike Build. Thanks to Donna for offering the reflection, Jonathan for being our meeting sponsor, thanks to Pat Steel and Mark Anderson for reflecting on their time in the service, and Mark for singing, accompanied by Barbara Mead. Thanks to the Chamber and their guests and America’s Credit Union for their sponsorship of the Military Citizen of the Year. Congratulations to Technical Sergeant Johnson for being selected. Tonight’s social is at the Fish Peddler at 1199 Dock Street. Please go out this week and be People of Action. The meeting was adjourned at 1:06 pm
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