The Combined Rotary Clubs of Greater Pensacola (CROP) met Monday, November 3, 2008 at New World Landing to hold the annual Rotary Military Appreciation Luncheon.
The luncheon is designed to honor and recognize our military heroes. Club Presidents makeup the membership of (CROP) in Greater Pensacola.
Ed Boywid, President of CROP and AG AREA 1, and member of the Cantonment Rotary Club welcomed everyone. Father Jack Gray, member of Pensacola Rotary and Pastor of St. Anne’s Catholic Church, gave the prayer. The combined military color guard accompanied by McGuire’s Pipe Band opened the program and presented the flags to those attending. The Pledge of Allegiance and the Rotary Four Way Test was led by Bo Brantley, President of Tri-Cities Rotary.
Ferd Salomon III, member of Sub West Rotary, welcomed honored guests, military and community leaders. CROP President Ed Boywid, introduced guest speaker, Lieutenant Colonel Everett S. Spain, who is currently assigned as a White House Fellow with the Department of Treasury. Lt. Col Spain is “home town grown” and attended local schools and churches in Pensacola. Lt. Col. Spain spoke to attendees about his role as military aid to the general in Iraq and his military career. He was most poignant as he recognized the patriotism and commitment of the men and women he serves with in the military. Even though he spoke with great seriousness and vision, he intertwined a touch of humor as he told of an incident involving a flurry of wind and the general’s notebook of top secret papers engulfed and scattered about by the winds of helicopters.
Lt. Col. Spain’s father, Bill Spain member of Sub-West, proudly listened to his son’s accomplishments and world vision. He received a standing round of applause and appreciation from guests and Rotarians as he ended his talk.
Ed Boywind, thanked everyone for attending this annual meeting.
A pat on the back to Jean Norman and the many volunteers who provided the Annual Day of Caring, benefitting more than eighty families and area programs. Several of our member firms made people available.
Be sure to watch Sandy Ray’s TV station (WSRE) on November 5th at seven o’clock for the initial showing of their documentary film showing our own Veterans Park.
See where new member Ed Meadows and Jim Martin are to begin a fourth PJC campus, near Navarre.
Susan O’Conner’s photo made the press at the IMPACT 100 meeting where member ladies voted on distribution of $563,000 to five worthy causes. Several other members are part of IMPACT.
Bob Rogers and the Waterfront Rescue Mission staff and volunteers are gearing up for a huge Thanksgiving feast for the homeless. The mission has been part of helping locally for almost sixty years.
Bruce Partington, November 11, Annapolis, MD, 9 years
Nigel Allen, November 11, Plainfield, NJ, 2 years
Britt Landrum, November 12, Montgomery, AL, 2 years
John Appleyard, November 14, Chicago, IL, 43 years
Robert Mills, November 15, Atlanta, GA, 10 years
Christina Littlejohn, November 15, Chapel Hill, NC, 7 years
Leslie Halsall, November 17, Memphis, TN, 2 years
Randy Jackson, November 17, Murfreesboro, TN, 2 years
NOMINATIONS FOR 09/10 YEAR:
Board Member Nominations:
Henry Roberts, David Stafford, Andrea Farage, Shawn Brantley
Secretary Nomination: Innes Richards
Treasurer Nomination: Ron Jackson Sergeant: Tim Kane
President Elect: Ray Jones
Elections will be held on Tuesday, December 2.
Announcement:
The Rotary Club of Pensacola will be collecting monetary donations on Tuesday, November 11 and Tuesday, November 19 for the Manna Food Bank. YOUR $10 donation can fill a bag full of groceries for one of approximately 2100 families that are in need this holiday season. Our goal is to collect $2000.