This week's meeting was our annual salute to those Rochester Rotarians who have served our country. I love this tradition of tribute, not just because I am a veteran, but because it gives all of us a chance and a reason to reflect on our freedom and the common values we share in love for our country. It is a time for each of us to refresh our "story" of someone we know who may have fought and served and be moved to share it with others. How would we have ever learned that Beth Cross-Wilhem's grandfather was an Army Colonel who received a Purple Heart while leading an African-American Brigade against Rommel in North Africa? How would we have ever learned that Scott Anthony's grandfather was a Marine and fought in one of World War I's most famous battles, Belleau Wood?

It was a thrill to have The Color Guard from the NROTC unit at the University of Rochester with us. The four Midshipmen of the Color Guard are young adults of the highest caliber, and proof that in their hands our future is bright!

The Roll Call highlighting each Rotarian Veteran was filled with emotion and admiration as they stood with pride and humbly accepted the well deserved praise from their friends in Rochester Rotary. And what an honor it is for me to be associated with every member of our club who, without any military connection, serves our country now simply by thanking our service men and women, paying tribute to our vets, and reciting the Pledge of Allegience with just a little more heart than they might have before. God Bless each of you and God Bless America!

Did you notice that the Roll Call slide show was a "new and improved" version? We all owe a HUGE thank you to Heather Rossi for the energy, passion and talent that she put into the project of freshening up the slides. She took a 1 degree idea and turned it into a miles worth of results. Outstanding!

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Congratulations to Rochester Rotarian Captain Jeff Bartkoski, USN on being awarded a Paul Harris Fellowship. His service to our club, our community, and our country truly mark him as one who lives "Service Above Self". It was wonderful to present this to Jeff on the day that we celebrated military service. And, how would we have ever learned that his Navy service includes Commander of a helicopter squadron, Captain of the flagship of the 7^th Fleet the USS Blue Ridge, Navigator on both the USS Enterprise and the USS John F. Kennedy, and Deputy Commander of the U.S. Strategic Missile Defense Command. We Salute you Jeff!

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How about the Women of Rotary and their Fashion Show supporting the Sunshine Campus! Holy Canoli . . . what a fabulous event that was! If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes I could never have dreamed it would be such an elegant, well organized, fun-filled afternoon. I am hereby issuing a challenge to all men and women of Rochester Rotary to attend next year. Special thanks to Anna Pink, WOR President, and Pat Mitchell, Chair of the Fashion Show Committee. Oh yeah, our own Brandi Koch won the Grand Prize drawing for a 46" TV donated by Peter and Anne Kelderhouse. Truly a great afternoon for a great cause! Well done ladies!