Inspiration: Andy Groeger gave the inspiration on D-day's 80th anniversary and honored the D-day soldiers with his medallion. The beginning of the end of WWII in Europe. Most of the soldiers were conscripts with <1 year of service and an average age of 20 years. Thanks to our soldiers, and their bravery in this battle, the war would end 11 months later.
IDEA Quote: It were not best that we should all think alike; it is the difference of opinion that makes horse races.~ Mark Twain
IDEA Quote: It were not best that we should all think alike; it is the difference of opinion that makes horse races.~ Mark Twain
Upcoming Programs: please see the side panel for upcoming speakers and be sure to invite your friends!
Guests:
- Beckie Wagner (guest of Bob Hau)
- Sheryl Lack (Rotarian from CA)
- Stave Lack (Rotarian from CA and Director of BREW Fellowship)
- Joe Wimmer (repeat guest of Brooke Cunningham)
- Bill Brayden (Foothills Rotarian)
- John Sheltren (soon to be a member)
- Dana Culler Laval (exchange student)
Welcome back John Trewartha, Krishna Murthy, Craig Campbell (members)
New Member Presentation: Tom Strause
- This week he found out he is cancer free after treatment!
- He met his wife at the insurance office they worked at together and have been married for 36 years. His wife has worked against insurance and corporate fraud.
- They have twin sons that live in Niwot and Brooklyn. They also have a Corgi who rules the roost.
- His career was spent mostly working for Progressive Insurance Co and saw exponential growth during his career. He opened the western region regulatory state compliance department.
- He retired on April Fool's Day in 2022 and has been able to join Rotary subsequently.
- He enjoys cycling and raced in high school and college and continues to enjoy long distance races/tours. He has set 3 world records for endurance racing. His sons also enjoy cycling. He estimates he has riden about 225,000 miles to date.
- He is an advocate for defensive cycling which has likely saved his life over time
- His credo for life is "Life begins at the end of your comfort zone"
Community ServiceCommittee Report: Brooke Cunningham
- Average grant size is $2000 with a range of $750 to 3.5K (Finally Home, Vegetable Connection, Mujeres de Colores, Project Self Sufficiency, Rist Canyon Volunteer Fire Department)
- Other recipients are Coats and Boots, Outreach Fort Collins, The Lauren Project, Disabled Resource Services, Food Band of Larimer County
- 2023 Field of Honor budget was $20,238 and gave $3K+ each to Platte River Veterans Flyfishing, High Plains Honor Flight (5 trips provided), Hearts and Horses, Health4Heroes, Healing Warriors.
- Grants were also given to Outreach Fort Collins, First Responder Trauma Services for the Peer Connect Program and Revital Colorado for mental health care for first responders
- The total impact was $45,742 for our community.
- Other ways we helped our community: 492 hours from 32 Rotarians, Meals on Wheels, Rendesvous Trail Cleanup among others.
- Feel free to join the committe which meets the 3rd Tuesday of each month.
PROGRAM Mike Griffith: Honor Flight Report
- The most recent honor flight to Washington D.C. was 4/28-29 and Mike went as a guardian
- 120 veterans went on this trip including 5 Korean veterans and veterans from Desert Storm and Vietnam.
- The journey left from Fort Collins Loveland airport to DIA with well wishers including fire trucks along the way. Sixty-one veteran motorcyclists were present.
- There were receptions and a chance to share stories and memories with the veterans. Stops included the WWII Memorial, Air Force Memorial. Arlington Cemetary, Iwojima Memorial, Vietnam War Memorial, Korean Memorial, Lincoln Memorial.
- There was a Changing of the Guard ceremony and a Laying of the Wreath ceremony for the veterans
- This was the first chance for many of the Vietnam veterans to be publically thanked for their service.
- "All gave some, but some gave all. "
Announcements:
- Pass the hat for Dana for her trip expenses for the exchange student west coast trip coming up next week! Thanks to everyone who has made this possible for her.
- Save the date for FCBR Pass-The-Gavel. Date: Jun 22, 2024 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM. Location: Red Barn, Rigden Farms, 2902 Rigden Parkway
- There have been only 3 cases of polio in Pakistan this year
- Krishna Murthy gave his medallions to Phil Murphy for his dedication to the Food Bank of Larimer County, Bob Williams for his coordination of Meals on Wheels, and Joe McCarthy for leading the IDEA committee and his networking to obtain global grants
- Lee Varra-Nelson will be heading the Peach Sales Committee and will be asking for volunteers in the near future.