The Program:
Veteran's Day Program

Guest Speaker: We had one scheduled, we really really did. But, no show, so ...

1. First alternative was: a spoof on Proposition 1 and the surrounding controversy in Seattle this election week.

2. Second alternative was: since your editor ran out of time and creativity, he took the liberty of thinking, “Hey, this week is Veterans Day, so I’ll offer them a copy of my speech at this weekend’s Bellevue Veterans Day program at Sunset Hills on Saturday. So, here goes, with special recognition to the 20 or so BBRC members who have served in our nation’s military services:

Veteran’s Day Remarks
By Lt Col Tom Smith, USAF Retired
Commander, VFW Post 2995

Veterans Day celebrates the anniversary the of the day that ended World War I — at the 11th month, the 11th day, and the 11th hour. One year later, President Wilson proclaimed it a day of remembrance, and in 1926, Congress officially named it Armistice Day. In 1954, President Eisenhower signed a proclamation that changed the name to Veterans Day, so that veterans of all WWII and Korea could also be honored. Now, America uses Veterans Day to honor veterans of all wars.

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Friday Potpourri

Bob Bowen gave a stirring reminder to the BBRC that November 12th is Veterans Day. The club had special recognition for the members who are veterans, and Bob added thoughtful remarks about those who are still serving, as well as those who served in the past.

Wendi Fischer welcomed our visiting Rotarians and special guests. Visiting from the Bellevue (Noon) Club were both our semi-regular, Frank Young, and a long-time BBRC friend, Kemper Freeman.

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Sergeant at Arms SCHTICK

Andrew Face began his routine with a bit of ribbing to Larry May. Apparently, Larry, the seller of not one, but two winning tickets in previous raffle years, had decided this summer to hit the ground running with season pre-sales. Unfortunately, Larry made two mistakes: he hadn’t been at a recent meeting, and he hadn’t read the recent Reveille issues (a point of major concern to we editors — why the heck do we write these things if you aren’t going to read them, Larry?) As a result, poor Larry didn’t realize that the traditional raffle had been seriously dead for several months already. We’ll be looking for that kind of enthusiasm in Rotary Walk this spring, Larry. Thanks for taking the hit with such good nature.

Andrew continued his “stretch” appearance (as President Jim nervously alternated glances between his watch and the door, beads of sweat appearing on his furrowed brow, hoping and praying that the guest speaker would show). Andrew played “Name the Rotarian.” He flashed a picture of a toddler on the screen and challenged the crowd to name that Rotarian, with only a handful of very obscure hints. The fact that it wasn’t in color ruled out the 35 and under crowd. The fact that it wasn’t a daguerreotype probably ruled out our first five or so club presidents. By process of elimination, most of the group narrowed it down to the correct president: Jim Zidar.

You’ve got to get up a lot earlier than that to fool this crowd, Andrew!

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Rotary Walk

Hal Teel gave a brief talk about the April 28th BBRC Rotary Walk. We’re in the team recruitment phase — we need additional members to step up to the plate for the team recruitment committee. Also, we need to start setting expectations: we need 100% participation from BBRC members, and each member needs to average signing up 20 walkers. We’re looking for a minimum of 2200 overall.

The Rotary Walk committee needs your help: write checks, volunteer, and help recruit walkers from other organizations.

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BBRC Foundation

Don Deasy conveyed that committee member Don Deasy sends his regards to the club. Don reported that Don is still undergoing therapy and rebuilding his strength.

For Foundation business, Don reminded us of the importance of “every member, every year,” and the BBRC goal of $300 per year per member. Please contact the committee members if you want to know your current donation status or if you have questions about making a donation or commitment.

To contribute, there are many ways to donate: credit card, quarterly pledge, checks, cash, etc. We are currently over 50 percent for the year. Know what your intentions are for when and how much. The committee’s bottom line is that they need to hear from you now to know what to expect and when from each member so they can plan accordingly.

In closing, Don quoted Paul Harris himself: “Money alone does little good. Money and service together are a godsend to civilization.”

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The Program :
Guest Speaker: We had one scheduled, we really really did.
But, no show, so ...

1. First alternative was: a spoof on Proposition 1 and the surrounding controversy in Seattle this election week.

2. Second alternative was: since your editor ran out of time and creativity, he took the liberty of thinking, “Hey, this week is Veterans Day, so I’ll offer them a copy of my speech at this weekend’s Bellevue Veterans Day program at Sunset Hills on Saturday. So, here goes, with special recognition to the 20 or so BBRC members who have served in our nation’s military services:

Veteran’s Day Remarks
By Lt Col Tom Smith, USAF Retired
Commander, VFW Post 2995

Veterans Day celebrates the anniversary the of the day that ended World War I — at the 11th month, the 11th day, and the 11th hour. One year later, President Wilson proclaimed it a day of remembrance, and in 1926, Congress officially named it Armistice Day. In 1954, President Eisenhower signed a proclamation that changed the name to Veterans Day, so that veterans of all WWII and Korea could also be honored. Now, America uses Veterans Day to honor veterans of all wars.

Those of us who are veterans thank all of you today for remembering. We thank you on behalf of the veterans who are no longer with us, who would thank you if they could.

You see, we veterans all remember: I don’t think I’ve ever met a combat veteran who fails to remember something about their war experience every living day afterward. The experience of war irrevocably changed every one of us — some for better, some for worse. Some cannot forget the horrors. Others cannot forget because their bodies are forever broken.

My personal view is one of appreciating that I may never have come back. I can remember landing after my first combat mission over Iraq — how alive I felt, because I was so aware that I easily could have died. As I joined the other members of my flight on the tarmac at a remote Saudi air force base, we were in disbelief that not one of the many surface to air missiles that had been fired on us that morning had killed any of us.

There was a momentary sensation of “whew, we did it.” That was followed by the reality of “ok, now go back and do it again, and again, and again.”

We took a deep breath, collected our thoughts, and then went back to work flying more than 40 more missions over hostile territory in the weeks that followed.

The significance of the service of our veterans is not that they faced the terror once. Any fool can do that. It is that knowing the terror after facing it once, they go back again, and again, and again — until the job is finished, or until the job finishes them.

Combatants go to work every day with at least a background thought that this could be the day. Coming back after having lived through many days like that, I often feel like I’m on borrowed time. As a result, like many veterans, I choose to look at life a little differently. After having your life given back to you, you can’t help it.

Veterans throughout American history are the ones who fought for and gave us the freedoms we share today. At crucial times throughout our history, military men and women have put their lives on the line, literally saving our entire way of life.

Tom Brokaw wrote of the World War II era as “the Greatest Generation.” When I look at what they endured, on the beaches of faraway places such as Anzio, Normandy, the Philippines, and Iwo Jima, I am amazed how so many ordinary young troops had the courage to openly face such intense hostile fire. This is equally true for the airmen over Europe who faced very slim odds of survival, or the Navy that faced difficult foes in both the Atlantic and the Pacific.

Yet, I look at the men and women who came after me in the military with the same awe: the men and women serving today in Iraq and Afghanistan are every bit as impressive as those who fought in WW II.

They are fighting what the polls and our recent election have indicated is becoming a very unpopular war, yet their courage and dedication to their mission do not waver — they approach their risky missions with a singularity of purpose and a very professional level of excellence.

Like those who preceded them, they willingly put their lives on the line for the “mission.” Like many who served before, too many of them are never coming home.

But, as I told a local high school assembly on Wednesday, this past week we witnessed a miracle: that an entire branch of our federal government changed hands from one ruling party to another, without a drop of blood being shed and without a single bullet being fired. This is not a statement for or against any political party or belief — it is a simple observation.

Before this historical experiment called the “United States of America,” such bloodless transitions were almost unheard of.

But, we are a democracy, founded on principles that were delivered to us by the bloodshed of our forefathers, and preserved for two and a quarter centuries by the sacrifices of generations of veterans.

Nobody who reads the news or watches television could have missed the events of this election — how many more times could you have stood hearing “I approve this message”?

However, most Americans missed the essence of the miracle, that despite the huge rift between political philosophies, our democracy is one of law rather than force. Such bloodless transitions of power have become so routine that Americans take them for granted. We should not.

To paraphrase the bumper sticker, if you love your freedom, thank a vet. If you appreciate the miracle of all the rights you enjoy under this democracy, be thankful for all of those veterans who preceded us, who built and maintained our way of life with their service and sacrifices.

I am honored that all of you joined us here today to remember veterans. In celebrating the sacrifices of those who served our great nation, we help to preserve the traditions and values that make us great.

Let us give thanks for those sacrifices as we celebrate this special day.

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