Many Breakfast Rotarians just love this time of year! Autumn colors, cooler temperatures, baking in the kitchen, raking leaves, anticipating the holidays are all signs of the season and our members are certainly the festive type. In the coming days and weeks Breakfast Rotary will have a number of activities in which we can display and share our positivity with others. Some of those activities are the annual Thanksgiving Dinner give-a-way and Christmas Shopping with Children at Target Program. So, consider spreading some cheer in an upcoming Breakfast Rotary activity.
Speaking of Community Service, with the departure to Arizona of Kathy Berry, we are without a Community Service Director. Didn’t you join Rotary to serve our community? In this role you have a MAJOR impact on our activities in the community! You don't need to do it all yourself. You are encouraged to put a team together and share the fun. Interested? Let Pres Dave know of your interest or anyone of the Board of Directors. This is one of the best jobs in Rotary!
Our venue for today’s meeting was The Petroleum Club at Sundale Golf Club. Never having been there before I was taken by the atmosphere, it seemed very “cozy” for the 40 plus members who arrived to enjoy a bird’s eye view of the gold course and say good morning to our Greeters Athena Collup and Mary Jo Pasek. Those in attendance along with our ZOOMing members that received the morning Invocation from “Darling” David Perkins. Via ZOOM Past President Kay Pitts lead us in America’s Flag Salute, followed by Past Prez Denise Haynes belting out, “Take Me Out to the Ballgame”. By the way, did any of you see Denise dancing about to the beat of the song as she was singing…soooo cute Dodger fan!
Ken Quarnberg took the reins in announcing our visiting Rotarians. He said there was none! Ahhh, not so fast Mr. Ken, our morning’s featured speaker is a Past President and current member of West Rotary. Welcome Al Sandrini!
**Featured Program**
As of las
t Wednesday, we did not have a speaker for today as Craig Smith with Kern River Parkway Foundation canceled due to a family emergency. Oh, for what shall we ever do…woe is us! Most Fortunately, we have Pete Leveroni on our team, that’s right baby!
t Wednesday, we did not have a speaker for today as Craig Smith with Kern River Parkway Foundation canceled due to a family emergency. Oh, for what shall we ever do…woe is us! Most Fortunately, we have Pete Leveroni on our team, that’s right baby! Pete introduced our speakers who most likely gave the most heartfelt, patriotic and emotional presentation that we have had in sometime. Yes, when we get men and women in the club close to tears it is indicative of the kind of program Al Sandrini a
nd Jason Guise presented. Who are they you ask? Well they are representatives from Kern County Honor Flight. Oh yes, now you know. But honestly, most of us knew few details about Honor Flight until Al and Jason shared what it is truly about. If you thought Honor Flight was only about organizing trips to Washington DC for our Kern County veterans to show our appreciation and to honor them, well you are only partially correct.
nd Jason Guise presented. Who are they you ask? Well they are representatives from Kern County Honor Flight. Oh yes, now you know. But honestly, most of us knew few details about Honor Flight until Al and Jason shared what it is truly about. If you thought Honor Flight was only about organizing trips to Washington DC for our Kern County veterans to show our appreciation and to honor them, well you are only partially correct.Al and Jason told us there are almost 150 programs across the country in the Honor Flight Network. Surprisingly, since starting in 2012, Kern County Honor Flight has already completed 41 flights to DC with veterans and their “guardians”. Top priority is given to the most senior veterans – World War II veterans and those from any conflict that are terminally ill – followed by Korean War and Vietnam War veterans. Honor Flight has a well-organized program with veterans and guardians with transportation from Bakersfield to DC, activities in DC starting with seeing THEIR memorials and then safely home with a celebratory Welcome Home. This degree of appreciation for their service is something many veterans may not have received when they returned home from service so many years ago. To pull off so many trips in such a short period of time is a tall order. According to Al and J
ason, the 3-day long trips are funded through donations; the veterans travel at no personal expense. The volunteer guardians pay for their own flight and accommodations.
ason, the 3-day long trips are funded through donations; the veterans travel at no personal expense. The volunteer guardians pay for their own flight and accommodations.Normally, the guardians are anyone who desires to share in a 3-day moment of gratitude and thanksgiving to our military heroes. What we did not know is that there is a relatively new project allowing Post-911 veterans to serve as guardians. This has been not only beneficial to the older veterans, but emotionally healthy for the younger veterans who served our country; many of whom may have never had the opportunity to witness the great American tributes to our proud military history in DC.
Speaking of therapeutic, Jason shared that the Vietnam War veterans that participate in Honor Flight have a chance to close the book, if you will, on the catastrophic era of the Vietnam War and the aftermath that followed. Jason said many of them have carried the Southeast Asia war on their back for decades. He said when they arrive at the Vietnam War Memorial and are greeted by well-wishers young and old, it truly is Celebration Day. The heartache they have worn all these years falls off their shoulders.
Al showed us a very cool PowerPoint featuring some of the veterans and their guardians in travels and destinations in DC. Even Past President Jerry Starr was seen serving as a guardian! Past President Neil Walker has also served as a guardian. Some of the venues they visit are:
- Arlington National Cemetery
- Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
- Women’s Volunteer Service Memorial
- World War II Memorial
- Korean War and Vietnam War Memorials
- The Navy Yard
- US Capital
Personally, I was taken by what is described as “Mail Call”. Mail Call is a surprise for the veterans on the flight home. Unlike any other mail call, the mail received by the veterans represents cards from Americans who take the time to create cards that are given randomly to the veterans. I imagine you could hear a pin drop as silence envelopes the passenger area of the plane until every single one of those cards and letters is read. Not a dry eye in the house.
You know that some veterans never received letters like these or have left us before they found out how much they mean to us in Kern County. For some it was a choice, others they had no choice, but at least now we have Honor Flight wherein they receive the respect and adulation they deserve, for they are the Real Heroes. The least we can do is to demonstrate our adoration and undying gratitude to them.
Al and Jason tell us that because of COVID, flights have been suspended until a vaccine is available. I think that is a good idea. I also think is even a better idea to step up and volunteer to become a guardian or donate.
Thanks to Al and Jason for visiting with us. You are both great representatives of Kern County Honor Flight. To learn more, to donate or even find out how you can become a guardian call (661) 527-3838 or visit www.honorflightkerncounty.org
**Announcements**
President Dave Spalinger recently returned from Texas where he and his fellow Dodger teammates secured victory in the World Series. Think I’m kidding? The Prez must be on the team because he was wearing his jersey! Oh what’s that?…says, Giant fans of the club…The Pre
z is what?…No you don’t say…really!...The Prez is a Dodger batboy! Wow, President Dave I never knew. Well perhaps fellow Dodger fans Past Presidents Cheryl Scott and Denise Haynes can apply to the Dodgers as batgirls or cheerleaders, as they too were stylin’ in Dodger attire!
z is what?…No you don’t say…really!...The Prez is a Dodger batboy! Wow, President Dave I never knew. Well perhaps fellow Dodger fans Past Presidents Cheryl Scott and Denise Haynes can apply to the Dodgers as batgirls or cheerleaders, as they too were stylin’ in Dodger attire!We have created a “cash cow” with The Beacon and the Prez is literally “Takin’ it to the Bank”. He asked for members who read the last Beacon edition for The Clue. The Prez stared down Athena Collup, who faltered on giving an answer. Stephanie Baker stumbled and stammered to no avail. Marlene Heise said “I can’t read!” Then came Will Duerksen, who with a little help from a friend at the table correctly provided an answer which was “8” people. (The number of people who did not know the answer to the clue.)
Last Sunday we raised some funds for The Bakersfield Angels at Past Prez Queen Jackie Maxwell’s ranch. Fun was had by one and all, particularly Marlene Heise who won a big 50-50 drawing jackpot. Congrats to my very bestest all-time friend - Marlene buddy pal. Hey, Marlene can you give me a loan…! Just kidding.
Michele McClure was pretty darn enthused about the fundraiser too as she donated $50 to BBRC in gratitude to Jackie, Denise, Jeff Haynes, Dan Johnson and Marti Lari (who made a delicious Texas Sheet Cake) for putting on a rockin’ event which included a delicious BBQ lunch. Beacon quiz for this week is, who made the Texas Sheet Cake? By the way, overwhelmed by surprise, the Bakersfield Angels walked away a whole lot more secure as we raised $4745 for them. Not a bad afternoon at the ranch Rotarians!
Please join Teresa and Mark Waller in celebrating their 7th wedding anniversary. Yes, we would like to join, Teresa, where do we all meet you two for dinner? We are invited, aren’t we? Congrats...Hee Hee.
Next week we will be meeting at The DoubleTree by Hilton on Rosedale Hwy.
**Happy Spots**
John Guerard is a proud PaPa as he announces the birth of his granddaughter Ella! Pat Thompson also has a new granddaughter which I am sure we will hear more about soon. Pat’s daughter and baby girl had a little rough landing, but all appears good on the road ahead. Congrats Guerards and Thompsons!
And by golly, if it isn’t ol’ Jeff Haynes getting’ into the grandfather game. A new baby boy is on the way. Just in time for when his presidency next year in BBRC.
Teresa Waller was $10 happy that she abstained from social media over the last week. I wish I could say that. Not the $10, just the social media.
Athena is happy to rep
ort that Connie Bensusen’s husband Al who has been ill, is showing some promising signs. Please pray for them both BBRC’ers. Thanks for the update Athena.
ort that Connie Bensusen’s husband Al who has been ill, is showing some promising signs. Please pray for them both BBRC’ers. Thanks for the update Athena.A better late than never, Temo Lopez wanted everyone to know how happy he was the Dodgers won the World Series. Hey Temo, we already did that part of the meeting early. If you would have showed up on time you would have heard. Are you trying to give Past President Ron Nelms, a Giant fan, a stroke!
Another Dodger faithful, Stephanie Baker donated $50 in a personal salute to her and her husband’s favorite baseball team. Amen, after 32 dry Dodger World Champion years.
We had a drawing this week, again. And again, another one of the Dodger Mafia comes away from the meeting with a prize. It is none other than Sandra Parnell. I think she and Marlene Heise ought to pool their money and buy their own professional baseball team. So, let’s say they decide to do that…what would they name their team. Well we can revisit that later, but until next week.
Be Safe, Be Rotary,
By: Frank Wooldridge, Writer