Veterans Day started as Armistice Day to honor the end of WWI and to salute those who served in the Great War. In 1954, President Eisenhower signed the bill changing it to Veterans Day to honor all veterans who have served, or are serving our country in wartime or peacetime. Regardless of the day of the week, Veterans Day stays to its tradition of being recognized on Nov. 11th.
This year, in rapid-fire succession, we recognized our club members who have served:
- Rodney Niswander, US Navy-Vietnam
- Tyler Benson, US Coast Guard
- Chuck Drake, US Coast Guard
- Stan Smith, US Navy
- Dave Thomas, Marines (Noon Club)
And we honored these family members:
- Donald Thomas, Dave's Brother, Vietnam
- Walter Rowan, Carrie's Dad, Vietnam
- Ray Wagner, Brian's Dad, WWII
- Ledward Smith, Carlin's Dad, WWII
- Charles Johnson, Chuck's Dad, WWII
- Walter Parrott, Grace's Dad, WWII
- Jack Marshall, John's Dad, Korea
- John Seely, Dave Meyer's Father In Law, WWII
- Karl Buettner, Dave Meyer's Uncle, WWII
- Thomas McLain, Jim's Dad, Korea
- Ronald Hoekman, Sue's Dad, Vietnam
- Romaine (Jo) Attick-Brower, Jenny's and Bill's Mom, WAC
- Bucky Brower, Jenny's and Bill's Dad
- Courtney Pace, Lindsey's Sister, Iraq and Afghanistan
- George Pulakos, Kathy's Dad, WWII
- John Kamp, Randy's Father-In-Law, WWII
- Scott Shuman, Steve's brother, Vietnam
- Francis Barlow, Mark Fralick's Great Grandfather, Killed in Action, Oct. 17, 1918, WWI
It was a morning filled with compelling stories of service, bravery, and heroism. As Dave Thomas put it, some people served, and some are heroes, but all contributed to our freedoms. We extend our humble gratitude to all who served our country.
The newest Rotarians in the world are Brian Ewbank (sponsored by Lindsey), Kirk Swabash (by Chuck J.), Julie Joles (by Grace), and Jim Powell, Heather Huffstutler, and Mike Thibideau, (sponsored by Carlin) Missing were Andy and Jennifer Kolp.
