Tuesday 18 October 2005

 

Calendar of Events

Last Week, 10/11: Doug Turpen: Anniversary of End of World War II

This Week, 10/18: Package Apple Run Bags

Next Week, 10/25: BOD Mtg (5:00), New Member Talk, Club Assembly

 

Coming Up:

10/25: City Mission

11/1: Stan Garrison’s Book, Veterinary Tails

11/8: Apple Pie Festival at the Senior High School

11/15 Saratoga American Red Cross

 

Invocation: Garry Morrow, Dan Stec or Bob Youmans

Rotary Minute: Need Volunteers

 

Suggestions for future programs may be given to Linda LeTendre
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How lucky we are and points to ponder
 
 

 

 

 


     If we could shrink the earth's population to a village of precisely 100 people, with all the existing human ratios remaining the same, it would look something like the following:
There would be:

- 57 Asians, 21 Europeans, 14 from the Western Hemisphere, both north and south and 8 Africans
- 52 would be female and 48 would be male
- 70 would be nonwhite and 30 would be white
- 70 would be non-Christian and 30 would be Christian
- 89 would be heterosexual and 11 would be homosexual
- 6  would possess 59% of the entire world's wealth; all 6 would be from the US
- 80 would live in substandard housing
- 70 would be unable to read
- 50 would suffer from malnutrition
- 1 would be near death; 1 would be near birth
- 1 (yes, only 1) would have a college education
- 1 would own a computer
The following is also something to ponder...
- If you woke up this morning with more health than illness...you are more blessed than the million who will not survive this week.
- If you have never experienced the danger of battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture, or the pangs of starvation you are ahead of 500 million people in the world.
- If you can attend a church meeting without fear of harassment, arrest, torture, or death...you are more blessed than three billion people in the world.
- If you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof overhead and a place to sleep...you are richer than 70% of this world.
- If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change in a dish someplace ... you are among the top 8% of the worlds wealthy.
- If your parents are still alive and still married ... you are very rare, even in the United States and Canada.

When one considers our world from such a compressed perspective, the need for acceptance, understanding and education becomes glaringly apparent, and Rotary’s mission so relevant.

Announcements & Doug’s Outstanding/ Moving Presentation
 
 

 

 

 


               

 

...received a thank you note from Houston Rotary for our donation…Nisky Rotary selling Christmas decorations/ wreaths…Mark said if the Cloverpatch work party is rained out Oct. 15, we will try again on the 29th…Mike W, Alec and Ron each announced that they have a new member joining…Ron thanked Gini for the outstanding job she did on the new club membership brochures…Paul said signups were going well for the Oct. 22 Apple Run and that “course monitors” need to report at 8:15.

 

A Great Presentation by Doug Turpen

            Doug gave us a very informative and moving presentation about his experience as the navigator that led the American fleet into Tokyo Bay on Sep. 2, 1945 for the signing of the Japan surrender that ended WWII. Doug provided us an excellent description of his ship, the USS destroyer Nicholas (which was the most decorated destroyer in the USN), the crew, what life on board was like, and some of his combat experiences including a near miss from Kamikaze attack.  We are lucky Doug is with us today.

            Doug provided details on what happened on Sep. 2nd. The Japanese provided a pilot, navigator and maps for each American vessel. However, Doug’s Captain insisted that Doug do the job without the assistance of the former enemy. The route into Tokyo Bay was heavily mined. Doug completed the passage without incident. Dignitaries at the surrender besides Gen. McArthur included Admiral Bull Hawlsey. Doug said released American Prisoners of War were also present. Some were in very bad shape.

            Doug also gave us an excellent overview of the ceremony he just attended for the 60th Anniversary of the surrender signing. It was held on the battleship Missouri in Pear Harbor. Two hundred and fifty veterans attended, one 104 years old.  Doug met four of his shipmates he had not seen for 60 years. Doug met some of the former POWs at the event and spoke of how they would not have been alive today without the help of their comrades.  Doug said he hoped that Americans recognize the sacrifice and efforts being made today by American service men and women. Thanks Doug for all you have done and a great presentation!

            Please go to www.ussnicholas.org and click on “First Person” to see and read about our own Doug T. Navigating the “Nick.”

Text Box: Serve with us – the world is waiting.          As reported by Steve Caine