President John called the meeting to order, welcoming 42 members and 6 visiting guests. Charlie Frair gave the invocation, which included a poem by Bob Schieffer entitled “Ode to Love.”
A child’s question asked of me, If I can’t see it, can it be?
I see my toy, I know it’s there. I feel my arm, I touch my hair.
These are things I know to be, but what of things I cannot see?
What of the wind, where does it go? Are there other things to know?
Oh yes, my dear, and soon you’ll find, they’re locked inside the heart and mind.
Sweet love’s desire, a mother’s prayer, more real than all you see out there.
More real than sun and moon and rain, at first much harder to explain.
The only thing that I can say, I say it now in just this way:
What is real and what is not? Love is real, the rest is not.
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PP Jim Willey (photo at left) spoke in reference to Pearl Harbor Day and noted that current club member PP Bob Traill served in World War II, as did member Earle Leavitt – who was actually stationed at Pearl Harbor and has memories of the attack. Earle recalls the Japanese planes flying so low overhead that he could see the faces of the pilots as they flew to the harbor.
The club sadly noted the passing of former United States President George H.W. Bush. The nonprofit organization Points of Light was launched by Bush to support volunteerism and has inspired millions of volunteers worldwide.
Lynn White and Susan Dudley Gold (photo at right, L-R) told the club about the Vet to Vet Maine organization which offers support, companionship, a friend to lonely and socially isolated veterans who are most at risk for suicide. Vet to Vet Maine’s trained volunteers (who are veterans themselves) visit fellow veterans at least twice a month in their homes. This is a wonderful program that has made a real difference in our state.
Justin Purvis (photo at left), from the United Way of Greater Portland, spoke to the club about the Starting Strong program and commended the 26 committed Rotary volunteers who assist young people in improving their reading proficiency.
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Charlie Frair and Paul Tully (photo at right, L-R) then spoke about the great success of the Veteran’s lunch and how they exceeded each and every one of their goals. They thanked those members on the Committee, as well as all 68 Rotary volunteers. They noted that 336 people were served meals – with 217 of them being veterans. The event rose over $15,000, a good portion of which will be able to be donated to Vet organizations. They noted the increased media coverage and read grateful letters by several vets that attended. Finally, they recognized Elise for all her hard work on the event and bestowed both roses and a gift card to a restaurant.
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PP Russ Burleigh noted that his wife has been hard at work all year making mittens with donated yarn from Rotarians and other sources. He proudly announced that she has made 145 pairs of mittens, which are being donated to three local schools for children in need.