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HEADLINES
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The Tri-Town RotaNews - December 1, 2004
President Linda called the meeting to order, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer from Joe Carroll.
Visiting Rotarians and Guests:
Visitors today included Janet Larson Branch Manager of the Middleton Sovereign Bank, Kirk Curley from the Lynnfield Club and our speaker, Dick Murphy, (he said it) but really his last name is Moody. Bob thought he had a long last cousin for a second
Make Ups:
There were no makeup cards this week.
Fines and Happy Dollars:
Sergeant at Arms, John "Whistle Blower" Plate did an early Christmas stroll and walked the floor with Spencer in search of donations. Someone please get him a bell. Dollars were lifted from all wallets.
Gary gave for the recognition of World Aids Day.
Linda blamed her husband for her pinlessness...is it the truth?
A reminder to all that the two dollars a week for sustaining membership should be given the Bill. The two bucks for John is for the taxman.
Eden Hutt gave two dollars, not because he wasn't paying attention, but because he "thinks" he was late (really it was Jen) and he was happy to see Dick Moody with us today.
Gretchen provided funds for her return from Florida,
Joanne Travers was happy about her upcoming venture to the Dominican Republic for a Partners for a Greater Voice training mission. 5 teachers and a photographer will be making the journey, heading up training workshops for teachers and parents.
Harry gave because someone stepped on a duck. Was it Julia, Jen or Marla?
Raffle:
Todd's number came up as did Joanne's, but the King of Hearts remains unfound. I still say there's a little Murphyism going on, Lindaaaa?
Announcements:
- Be sure to follow the Haiti Project Report's latest Headline link to find out about Obed John!
- Our Christmas party is Saturday evening at Four Mile Village. Thank you Peter for the wine, Chris for the hors' durves, Linda and Jan for the deserts and Harry for the tonic. I haven't heard soda called tonic since the 1970's. Thanks for the flash back Linda!
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Harry attended a meeting on St John, USVI and was presented a banner by that Club. Unfortunately our own banners are MIA and need to be found so Harry can forward a TBM banner to the island. Gary volunteered to bring it for us. What a guy!!
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- Please consider saving Harry some time this year and make your sustaining membership contribution on line. Talk about an easy exercise and you can see how close you are to getting PHF recognition. If you can't, Harry will still be happy to collect your check.
- Eden is collecting for his 7th annual Toys for Tots. Get a free exam and a massage for your donation. No multiple massages for multiple donations Gary.
- The Middleton COA sent us a thank you for our sponsorship of their annual Thanksgiving picnic.
- Next week is the BOD meeting for December.
Program:
Gretchen Marks introduced today's speaker, Dick Moody, founder of Operation Troop Support. Dick told us of the organizations good deeds. Dick and his wife started the organization as a result of their own children's involvement in the military. His daughter told them of the dire need for magazines and books for the wounded that came through her hospital in Germany. These service people had nothing to do while they healed their wounds. The word got out and soon the Moody's friend and neighbors turned the family home into a warehouse.
Their son, who was stationed in the dessert, expressed a need for toiletries and entertainment items. Again the word got out and nerf footballs rained down on the Danvers home along with toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap and the like.
Since inception OTS has sent over 8 and a half tons of goods to our military personnel stationed overseas.
Dick told of a heart-warming story of how a child's letter saved one soldiers life. The DOD had put a hold on the mail during the early stages of the war and troops were constantly on the move and logistically mail delivery was near impossible. After things settled a bit the ban was lifted but many people back home had no idea. Troops went 6, 7 & 8 months or more with no news from home. Dick received a letter from a serviceman in Iraq who told him how he was depressed and convinced that he would just kill himself and end the misery. And then a letter from home came. Not from the soldiers home but from a fifth grader who simply wanted to send his words of support and thanks for the sacrifices that the military personnel were making for us. The soldier realized that people back home supported him and all the men and woman serving with him. That letter turned a feeling of despair and emptiness into a new outlook on life.
Dick then reached out to the troops and began a Holiday gift drive. The seemingly overwhelming task of supplying over 3,000 gifts to the troops became a little easier when Fox 25 and local papers picked up the story. Soon gifts flowed in from all over the North Shore and the Country. Dick's warehouse, formerly his family's living room, overflowed with 6,100 items. Everything has been shipped. One military unit sent him a picture showing a Christmas tree with all the gifts below. They were waiting for Christmas day to open the gifts from home. No more gifts can be sent in time for the holiday but cards can still make the journey and the troops would live to hear for "home".
A family support group for the North Shore has also been started. They meet monthly at a local VFW. Dick is also acting as program manager for the reconstruction of Iraq in his spare time. He say's don't always believe what you hear on the news. Not enough of the good being done in Iraq is making the front page.
3100 schools been built or refurbished, 32,000 teachers have been trained, 20 labs have been built in schools, US, Australian and British Universities have established programs to further education in Iraq, vocational programs have been started, a Human Rights ministry has been established, hygiene programs have been introduced into the elementary schools, civic programs promoting woman's rights have been established, the husband are listening, the Iraq stock exchange has been opened, a small business association has been established and 15 employment centers opened. At the beginning of the war/the end of Sadam's regime, 6% of the homes had indoor plumbing. The number is now as high as 35%; a nursing school has been created. Remember when watching the news or reading the papers to read between the lines we are doing good over there.
How can you help? For more info please go to www.troopsupportusa.com
Upcoming Programs:
December 8: Brian Wagner - Inclusionary Medicine (Complimentary Medicine)
December 15: Masco Chorale
December 22: Club Assembly and Election of Officers
December 29: No Meeting
January 5: TBA
January 12: Joe Collins - Back from Baghdad
January 5: Club Assembly
Calendar:
February 23: Tentative date for a joint meeting with the Beverly Club.
June 18-22, 2005: Rotary Centennial Celebration in Chicago - where it all begin! Register early!
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