It was a dark, wet and dank day.  If I had my druthers, I would have been home sitting by the fireplace, but I would have missed a great meeting. This week we met at Goodwin College due the Ridge being closed, thanks to Dan Larson.

 

Kevin Kickery gave the invocation, a very moving remembrance for Veterans Day followed by taps.  Dan Larson finished the tribute with a rendition of God Bless America with the group singing along.  Then Dan and Art Bradbury sang the Welcome Song, (best in a long time).

 

Lunch was grinders from the Roma Restaurant: Combos, Ham, Turkey, Tuna or Veggie with chips, soda and cookies. If nothing else filling but they were tasty.

 

We had two guests, Marty Fins, Assistant District Governor and Frank Wargo, Past District Governor, District Governor Elect and our speaker today. 

 

Our tardy SGT at ARMS Ned Lynch fined himself for being behind the 8 ball.  Dan Firestone, Ned Lynch,and Pat Gately paid in honor of Veterans Day; Bob Buettner for his Grand Daughter making high honors.  Ruth Sheehan paid for such a great job of Ned Lynch as SGT at ARMs.  Hope Firestone thanked Goodwin. George Agnelli paid for being this side of the grass. Dan Russell paid for the YMCA get together at his house. Ceil Collins paid because Frank is leaving (?)  El Presidente paid for his Father in Law’s Birthday. Whew.

 

The Program committee will meet at 11:30 on the 25th at the Ridge.

 

The signup sheet for Salvation Army bell ringing is going around.

 

There will be a Wine and Cheese at the Ridge before the meeting on the 25th.

 

Marc Glass has joined the line to serve as one of ten area Assistant District Governors, replacing Marty Fins next Rotary year. 

 

Marc showed the three awards East Hartford Rotary received  at the Foundation Dinner: First in annual giving to Foundation, First in participation in Polio Plus, Second in District annual per capita giving.

 

Sue Klock introduced our guest speaker, Frank Wargo.  Frank is very very committed and involved in Polio Plus and other Rotary programs. Frank started out by saying that we are very close to eradicating polio  There were only 50 reported cases last year.  In 1985 there were 1200 cases of polio a day and in one 24 hour period, Rotarians gave 120,000,000 doses of vaccine in India.  Frank related many personal experiences of meeting children with polio or giving vaccine to a young child being held by a mother that had had polio and related the smile on Mom’s face, realizing her child would be protected. 68 cents will provide one dose.  Frank was very emotional relating these moments and made it a point that Rotary does not look for publicity or credit but gets the job done. And this provides great self-satisfaction.  Rotary is the tool that makes the difference.

 

In closing, thank you to all Veterans for our wonderful country.