 | East Hartford Rotary Club High Gear Volume 79 | Issue 21 / December 13, 2023 |
Wednesday was a sunny but cold day, Marc and Bob arrived early to set up Zoom. Unfortunately IT needed to be called again. It seems there is a security firewall and would not allow Bob's zoom set up so we switched to Bob's lap top and it worked,. We had three members on zoom.
The Speaker , Marc Perlman was the first to arrive and got his powerpoint presentation loaded .
The meeting opened at 12:05 with the pledge and four way test. then lunch of the usual fare .pizza and half grinders. After the short break for lunch , the meeting came to order. Jack Sayre came out with the final two week of signups for bell ringing, All set for 12-16 but need ringers for 12-23.
Announcements
- There are four recipients of Paul Harris award to be announced at the Holiday party
- The holiday party is all set for 12-20 . We have 30 people signed up . It will be held at the Wethersfield Country Club.$55.00 pp starting at 6 P.M.
- Caring moments Hope Firestone is in home hospice. Our thoughts and payers go to her and her family
- Ruth Sheehan is doing well and Dan Larson is almost back to normal ,
- District Foundation chair Prasaud Menon urged members to remember the Foundation in the contribution plans this season. Our District 7890 is one of the few to achieve 100% members contributing .
- A template for Hi Gear newbees is available. . We are still lacking writers.
- There is no meeting 12-20. Holiday Party instead. There is no meeting 12-27. Holiday break
On to our speaker
Our speaker this week was Mark Perlman, a rotarian from Fairfield. He has written a historical novel "The Reluctant Soldier"\. A story of a black soldier and his journey through WWl and life . His adventures before the war, during the war and after. It is fascinating account of Virgil 's life . from fleeing the USA to avoid prosecution to meeting and interacting with many of the prominent figures of the era , both colored and white. It is a documentation of Black Americans in the American and French Armies. There is racial segregation and prejudice shown as part of American history. The book is not a light read but is very interesting. Mark did a great deal of research to present .
He did have copies available and part of every sale goes to the Wounded Warrior Project. . Marc stayed for some time to talk to members individually and answer questions .
HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL