THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Subtle Mark, very subtle

As a warning to those with crazy ideas for our next TGITLFOTM, Mark Larks kicked off 2012 by channeling Mark Twain's "Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence on society."

GUESTS

Patt (yes that's two "t's") Schroeder of the Episcopal Senior Community

Kathryn MacBride 

Steve Isaacs 

Hays is going...how about you?

Regina Englehart, in cheerful Soroptomist role, encouraged us to claw up some tickets for their crab feed on February 11. At $40, it's a steal. Proceeds help them help the young women of our community and elsewhere! Don't let this opportunity boil away.

VISITING ROTARIANS

Polly Bernson (for the first 20 minutes of the meeting)

John Sherry, forever beloved member of Noon club

Re-pursing OF MARK ROBERTS & OTHER STUFF

Ware staged this little episode

Mark "sticky fingers" Roberts was awarded one of his alleged objects of desire! Previously caught on HOME Team video making suspicious gestures in close proximity to a handbag, he was awarded this morning with a lovely pink reticule.

In a preemptive strike, Walt Nelson

Nice try Walt

"volunteered" a small fine to commemorate his 29th anniversary, completely out of protocol. President Alex alertly recognized this breach and tabled the matter.

$10 a picture?

Thomas Black generously invited us to peek at his Smugmug.com site, where we'll find all of the club photos he's taken! He can be bribed to remove unwanted candid pictures from the gallery.

How relaxed can you get?

Speaking of Peeking, Thomas Peeks was recognized as being in unusually casual attire! This was to commemorate his official retirement and his uncharacteristic garb brought exuberant "recognition."

Then, finally a nervous Walt Nelson was aptly recognized for his clumsy efforts (see above) and also for his 29th anniversary, which he spent at Metro's, with Kathe and their granddaughter.

3/4 Century winner!

Bob Reigg today celebrates his glorious 75 years on planet Earth with Pat, viewing "The World is Big" (truly wonderful Bulgarian movie showing in Orinda). They are headed to Napa for lunch at Farmstead. 

CORONATION NEWS

Clad in all sorts of Rotary attire, Polly Bernson had her first moment in the LMSR spotlight, as George Chaffey and Ron Brown teamed up to officially

A hearty welcome Polly!

welcome her ascension from the Noon club, with appropriate pomp and some decent circumstance. She will make our winning teams stronger, as she has already contributed selflessly to the community over the years. Polly has recently made such a splash that Krysten took it upon herself to share just one of Polly's "above-and-beyond" stories! Rumor has it she also swings a mean club...golf, that is.

PROGRAM

Carla has a great message

Carla Goulart is the COO of Sentinels of Freedom whose mission is to provide life-changing opportunities for men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces who have suffered severe injuries and need the support of grateful communities to realize their dreams. 

Since 9/11, for every American who has died in battle, dozens more have survived, thanks to cutting edge military medical care. That means, unlike any other time in history, many more severely wounded are coming home, faced with the challenges of putting their lives back together. 

Sentinels of Freedom provides up to four years of "Life Scholarships" to help vets become self- sufficient. The vets are finding that once they're released from the hospital, they face the everyday hardships of finding a home, continuing their education, or going to work to support their families. Every American faces the same difficulties, but in the vet's case, the situation is much more difficult because of their sacrifice.

Based in San Ramon, they work across the USA. It all began when Army veteran Jake Brown accepted the first Sentinels of Freedom Scholarship in 2004. Crushed by a tank while serving in Germany, he was in a coma for 10 days and wasn't expected to live but now he is back in his hometown, thriving.

Winning Framework

Introducing vets being helped

Sentinels succeeds because whole communities come forward to help. Local businesses and individuals not only give money, but also time, goods and services, housing and transportation.

Carla elaborated on the process. Candidates are first assessed in personality, credit, and finances. Carla pointed out that drive and attitude are the hallmark of the people in the program. With no government funding, this program takes over after the service "drops them off."

The Sentinels are then mated with teams. These are people in their own communities who become close to the veteran. In one typical example, team members were with the veteran every day for weeks on end.

She shared a very touching video filled with examples of people whom they've helped. Sam Schoenheit was featured as he clearly illustrated the powerful way that Sentinels of Freedom is helping him rehabilitate his entire life, and he's not alone.

Carla closed by inviting us to participate in a bike ride coming up September 22nd, and hopes to see us there!

check out sentinelsoffreedom.org.

CALENDAR 

Friday 1/27 7am, Postino, Steve Isaacs, Education

Friday 2/3 7am, Postino, Dr. Barbara Personss, Plastic Surgery

HOME Team 

March 10, May 5, June 3