Alison Rogers greeted Rotarians and guests at the door and ticket sales were handled by Malcom Williams and Joe Vonbondegun.
President Keith greeted all in attendance and led the club in the Four Way Test.
Nancy Maloy was called to the podium to lead in prayer and the pledge to our flag.
David Stafford then provided an update from the Program Committee. Future programs will focus on 3 political races beginning with next week’s meeting when we will hear from candidates vying for Escambia County Sherriff. On October 21 candidates for Mayor of Pensacola will make their case and on October 28 we will hear from candidates for Escambia County School Superintendent. On November 14 Jerry Maygarden will present the results of the recent poll conducted on behalf of the Better Pensacola group. Alan Bookman is also slated to make a presentation on the 6 amendments to the Florida Constitution that will appear on the November ballot. Election fever is building and our Program Committee is working hard to bring the latest information to the members of our club – hats off to David and the rest of the committee.
Jock Mobley made a pitch for the upcoming Mercedes-Benz Charity golf tournament which will benefit Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Northwest Florida. Grand prize is a trip for 2 to Maui, Hawaii. Registration forms are available at club meetings and through Centennial Motors.
Julie Tippens Parker announced that nominations are being sought for participants for the Rotary Exchange trip to Miilan, Italy. Application deadline is October 11 and Rotarians and their family members are not eligible to participate. Julie is looking for US citizens who reside in our Rotary District.
President Keith called Nancy Fetterman to the podium to introduce our newest member, Rear Admiral Paul Tobin. Adm. Tobin had a distinguished Navy career and now is very active in Naval history activities.
A rumor that the Rotary Rooters would perform was confirmed when they stormed the stage and broke out into a fall harvest medley and closed with a rousing rendition of Baa Baa Black Sheep???
The raffle pot of $70 was claimed by Johnny Soule.
Nigel Allen was called to the podium for Sunshine. Nigel introduced 2 military guests and 3 visiting Rotarians. Birthday cheers went out to 6 members with musical accompaniment. Nigel closed with a bit of surprising technological information – wireless communication was invented in Alabama!
Jerry Maygarden introduced our program and presenter – John Appleyard and Emerald Coast Honor Flight. The Honor Flight has its roots in the strong ties that bind Northwest Florida to our military efforts. The Honor Flight is a program that identifies and transports local WW II veterans to Washington, DC to visit the WW II Memorial. The WW II Memorial was establsihed about the same time as the Pensacola Veterans Memorial and was supported with appx $170 million in funding provided by various sources. There are over 60 Honor Flight groups that have been established to date and the system has evolved to assist in the coordination of efforts associated with this cause. The local effort was spearheaded by Congressman Jeff Miller who established a 12 person board to identify local veterans and then seek to obtain financial assistance. Rotarians Jerry Maygarden, Mike Ferguson and Coy Irvin have been instrumental in this endeavor. Dr. Irvin provides medical assistance to the flight participants. The first flight carried 100 veterans and 30 guardians on the trip to Washington. The particvipants were treated to a grand arrival at the airport in DC and they then departed via bus to visit the WW II Memorial, the Vietnam Memorial, Lincoln Memorial and Iwo Jima Memorial. The group was treated to a hero’s welcome upon returning to Pensacola. The second Honor Flight is scheduled for October 15.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
The Florida Supreme Court’s decision on public project financing brought BIG smiles to Mort O’Sullivan and Miller Caldwell. The Maritime Park may now have a green light. And as the Park and Main Street Plant projects proceed, that makes Hank Bell smile, too. His Bell Steel’s in a strategic place.
Didjasee Randy Williams color photo in a newspaper ad? Randy is now an athlete once again!
Cal Moore’s about to become an active church elder once again, at Randy Jackson’s church.
Earl Hutto and John Appleyard are part of the filmed action as Sandy Cesaretti Ray’s WSRE TV completes its documentary film on Veterans Park. Airing date is to be November 11th.
The financial market ups and downs drew a number of members into interview positions. Bo Carter, Tommy Tait and Britt Landrum all were quoted. Bill Donahue’s firm was one of those merged. (Many years ago a good member and merchant named Bill White had a saying he used a lot. Bill said: “Always keep your inventory tied up in cash!”)
Bob Hart, Richard Sherrill and Bruce Partington are going to have a retiring Florida Supreme Court Justice (and relative of our Reed Bell and Brian Bell) as a new partner in October.
Ellis W. Bullock, III – October 1 – Huntsville, AL – 22 years
Peit Hudson – October 1- Long Beach, MS – 4 years
Bill Donahue – October 2 – New York, NY – 27 years
Roger Sherman – October 2 – Pensacola, FL – 13 years
Philip Partington – October 6 – Pensacola, FL – 4 years