Friday, November 11th was Veteran’s Day. Rotarians were encouraged to include in their Happy Dollars announcements any thoughts, remembrances or stories about their service, other veterans or military service in general.
Ann Clark was happy to report she won her election and is still the Avon Democratic Registrar of Voters. Her youngest served in the National Guard and retired from service as a Major. Ann also told the story of a neighbor who reconnected with a long lost French girlfriend he hadn’t seen since Normandy and World War 2. When they met she spoke no English, but perhaps still had a language all their own.
Gary Miller donated Happy Dollars in honor of Veterans day and related his story of service as a Navy pilot for 20 years. Gary served from post Viet Nam through until just before Desert Storm, and noted that he did not see combat in that period. Gary also noted that the Rotary Leadership seminar was to be held on 11/12 and he had found it very worthwhile to participate.
Larry Sullivan was happy to acknowledge former Rotarian and wife of fellow Rotarian Don Rossler, Nancy Rossler, who attended our meeting this day. Larry also acknowledged the Canton High School students that participated in the veteran’s event held there recently. Finally, Larry noted he had stepped on an unexpected object while casting his ballot this week, a clothespin. He believes many similar devices may have been put to good use that day.
Don Rossler, donated happy dollars in recognition of his continued shaving boycott, on behalf of his veteran father, uncle and brother, the latter who served 33 years in the Navy and for his wife Nancy’s birthday on 11/10.
Sergeant-at-Arms Heather Pantano with Nancy Rossler
Nancy Rossler, a former Rotarian from our club who met and married her husband in the Club, had 20 Happy Dollars in honor of their 20 year anniversary and the “Rotary children” that they raised together.
Joanne Santiago thanked veteran’s and was also happy that she was able to attend her daughter’s “white coat ceremony”. Joanne’s daughter is working towards completion of her chiropractic training.
Tom Voorhees was happy to report on his great experience with the Boy Scouts at a veteran’s event held at Capri Frank’s family home.
Sue Budde with Ann Arbor Rotary banner
Sue Budde was happy to report her return from a wonderful vacation with her sister in Ann Arbor, Michigan. While there she attended a Rotary club, 1 of 4 in that city, and found it had 325 members! Sue brought home a visiting Rotarian banner from Ann Arbor!
Bob Cave was happy to note that when Gary Miller was in the service, things in the world were better. Perhaps Gary should re-up?
Len Dunstan announces his retirement.
Len Dunstan was happy and sad to announce his upcoming retirement after 30 years. He is going to close his store due to health reasons and becaude he wants to spend more time with a new grandchild. He fined himself so he could announce a special event at the store to Rotarians which will be a private showing to include phenomenal deals. He thanked the club for all of our support over the years.
John Shea was happy to report he and his wife recently celebrated their 21st wedding anniversary, thanked veterans for their service and was glad to be back after an extended absence due to work obligations.
Paul Mikkelson donated Happy Dollars in recognition of Len Dunstan’s upcoming retirement and also to take note of his optimism for the UCONN men’s and women’s basketball teams in the coming season. Paul also noted that the cost of health insurance for his family has been rising, up 58% since last year and he hopes to see a slowing of that trend in the coming years.
Steve Roberto was happy to congratulate Len Dunstan and noted that Len has been a role model for us all.
Lisa Barall-Matt was happy to report her sister retired from the Air Force as a Lieutenant Colonel.
Don Bonner wearing Make Rotary Great Again hat.
Don Bonner noted his daughter Sarah completed 27 months of service overseas and was now interviewing for jobs here at home. He returned $295.00 of unused Rotary funds from the support the Club provided during her time away. Don also revealed his new headgear, a boonie hat inscribed with the phrase “Make Rotary Great Again!”
Capri Frank was happy to thank our veterans for making all of our lives possible. She described the Boy Scout’s veteran recognition event put on by her mother and aunt at the family home in Avon, an event attended by our own Tom Voorhees. Capri also described a chance meeting between her and her husband and another couple in in Rhode Island, where her youngest son attends college. That meeting led to her son becoming the head of a new Rotaract Club on campus. Finally, Capri fined herself for noting the upcoming Miller Foods festival where attendees can pickup turkeys and taste their many products.
Rich Heath was happy to tell a story of his time in the service during which he and some buddies bought a car, drove it into the mountains and then had to abandon it because they wouldn’t let him bring it onto the base unregistered.
A History of Veteran's Day...
Below is an abbreviated history of Veteran's Day, derived from www.history.com:
On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, was declared between the Allied nations and Germany, in the First World War. Commemorated as Armistice Day beginning the following year, November 11th became a legal federal holiday in the United States in 1938.
In 1954, after lobbying efforts by veterans’ service organizations, the 83rd U.S. Congress amended the 1938 act that had made Armistice Day a holiday, striking the word “Armistice” in favor of “Veterans.” President
Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the legislation on June 1, 1954. From then on, November 11 became a day to honor American veterans of all wars.
The next development in the story of Veterans Day unfolded in 1968, when Congress passed the Uniform
Holidays Bill, which sought to ensure three-day weekends for federal employees–and encourage tourism and travel–by celebrating four national holidays (Washington’s Birthday,
Memorial Day, Veterans Day and
Columbus Day) on Mondays. The observation of Veterans Day was set as the fourth Monday in October. The first Veterans Day under the new law was Monday, October 25, 1971; confusion ensued, as many states disapproved of this change, and continued to observe the holiday on its original date. In 1975, after it became evident that the actual date of Veterans Day carried historical and patriotic significance to many Americans, President Gerald R. Ford signed a new law returning the observation of Veterans Day to November 11th beginning in 1978. If November 11 falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the federal government observes the holiday on the previous Friday or following Monday, respectively.
Britain, France, Australia and Canada also commemorate the veterans of World Wars I and II on or near November 11th: Canada has Remembrance Day, while Britain has Remembrance Sunday (the second Sunday of November). In Europe, Britain and the Commonwealth countries it is common to observe two minutes of silence at 11 a.m. every November 11.
In the United States, an official wreath-laying ceremony is held each Veterans Day at the Tomb of the Unknowns in Arlington National Cemetery, while parades and other celebrations are held in states around the country. Veterans Day is not to be confused with Memorial Day–a common misunderstanding, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Memorial Day (the fourth Monday in May) honors American service members who died in service to their country or as a result of injuries incurred during battle, while Veterans Day pays tribute to all American veterans–living or dead–but especially gives thanks to living veterans who served their country honorably during war or peacetime.
11/25: Salvation Army Bell Ringing
Hank Frey circulated a sign-up for ringing the Salvation Army bell on Friday, November 25 (the day after Thanksgiving). This is the perfect consolation for not having a meeting that morning. See Hank to sign up.
12/3 & 12/10: Collection for A.O.F Staff Christmas Gifts
President Don Bonner requested and received member approval for his plan to begin collecting member donations on 12/3 and 12/10 for A.O.F employee Christmas gifts from the club. We all appreciate the support, often above and beyond, that we receive from these fine people. We expect to present the gifts to the staff on 12/23 and also intend to present a Paul Harris to Sean. It's a surprise, so please keep this on the down low!
12/7: Canton Chamber of Commerce Holiday Dinner
The Canton Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual Holiday Dinner at the Canton Historical Museum among a gallery of homemade, artistically decorated Christmas trees. Talk to Gary Miller to learn more.
12/10: Breakfast with Santa
BWS will be held on Saturday, December 10th at Canton Community Center. Volunteers are needed to cook and serve and a sign up sheet will be passed around at upcoming meetings.
