Vol. 17, No. 24, December 13, 2004

IN THIS ISSUE:

This Reveille Home Page | The Friday Program: An Eyewitness Report From Iraq | Giving Tree Wrap-Up | Fellowship Opportunity at Rock Bottom | We Get Emails | Friday Potpourri | Student of the Month: Dan Blaugh | New Members Inducted: Giner & Allen | Sergeant At Arms On the Road Again | Web Fun

The Friday Program:
An Eyewitness Report From Iraq

The War in Iraq came closer to home Friday when Army Captain Tymm Ozmer reported for duty at the BBRC. Holding jobs in the Washington National Guard for 17 years, Captain Ozmer was recently in charge of the Guard’s Distant Learning Project, which gives soldiers stationed in the far corners of Washington additional training closer to home. He first joined the Guard in Yakima and received the first direct commission from an enlisted rank to captain four years ago. His regular duty station was Olympia.

Captain Ozmer returned from Iraq in September, having sustained severe injuries when his vehicle was struck by a roadside bomb device. He was commanding a reconnaissance platoon when the bomb struck. One of the soldiers in Ozmer’s vehicle was killed, and the other four, including himself, injured. His injuries required surgery on his spine.

Captain Ozmer told his audience that when considering our country’s deployment to Iraq, “Maintain skepticism about what you hear and read. The media is hyping the negative. Do research, look up facts for yourself. Find the true story of what’s going on there.”

The Captain said the Washington National Guard has sent troops overseas for the first time since the Korean War. In this Middle Eastern hotspot, “10% of Iraqis are supportive, while another 10% are exactly opposite — they oppose the goals of the Coalition Forces. The other 80% of Iraqis are on the fence.” READ MORE

Giving Tree Wrap-Up

Members philled the Salvatori-mobile Friday to overflowing with the gifts for the BBRC Giving Tree. All ornaments were claimed, with additional members contributing to a fund which will be split between Hopelink and the YMCA, to support their holiday-enriching programs. Phil was enthused about the club’s participation in this year’s project, now entering its eighth year. Thanks to all who will make individuals and families that much happier this Christmas.

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Fellowship Opportunity at Rock Bottom

Just as the headline “Ear Drops Off Shelf” raised eyebrows, this headline ought to grab your attention, as the last thing we want is a Fellowship Opportunity reaching Rock Bottom. A new tradition begins this week, when President-Elect Steve Lingenbrink inaugurates a BBRC Monthly Social Hour at the Rock Bottom in downtown Bellevue (at the Galleria). Here is a chance to meet your fellow Rotarians in a purely social atmosphere. The event begins this Thursday evening at 4:30 and is scheduled for every third thursday of each month hereafter. Mark your calendars and join your Rotary friends at the Rock Bottom!

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We Get Emails

Brian Heimbigner fought as long as he could to find work in his field of engineering in the local area. The battle came to an end in September when he moved to Atlanta to begin a new job.

Unlike many regular BBRC members, he actually reads the Reveille each week, pining for his old club. Here is Brian's email report:

“I’m pleased with my new company, American Water. Can’t get much more patriotic than that! My colleagues are from all parts of the US and those I’ve met are just great. One thing about the South — the people are really friendly, even when I’m driving through their neighborhoods looking at homes for sale.

After being onboard for a month, I found out my company has a big project in the Seattle area! American Water’s main function is to either operate and maintain water and wastewater treatment systems for cities and counties or to buy them outright and become the local privatized utility (a more common occurrence in the eastern U.S.). The company operates Seattle’s northern water supply — the Tolt Water Treatment Plant — providing half of Seattle’s drinking water and to many cities on the eastside of Lake Washington.

So, if your water at the BBRC ever tastes off, let me know and I’ll get it fixed.” (Brian had a recommendation for giving the water a better taste, but we tried that once when another guy named Brian put champagne in our orange juice!)

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Thought for the Week

Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in natureÉ.life is either a daring adventure or nothing. ­ Helen Keller

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THIS WEEK'S EDITOR
John Mix

THIS WEEK'S PHOTOGRAPHER
Jim Kindsvater

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