The Rotary Club of Kirkland held its regular weekly meeting online on December 7, 2020.
Attending were James Nevers, Dave Aubry, Joanne Primavera, Rick Walter, Dave DeBois, Bill Taylor, John Woodbery, Terry Cole, Stefan Landvogt, Bella Chaffey, Patti Smith, Don Dicks, Brandon Honcoop, Jim Meniketti, Russ & Tricia Stromberg, John Pruitt, George Anderson, Rick Ostrander, Monica Fratita, Gary Cohn, Mike Hunter, Steve Shinstrom, Rich Bergdahl, and Bob Auslander. Let me know if I missed anyone.
We went to breakout rooms before the meeting started, giving everyone a chance to catch up socially with fellow Club members. My group discussed what was likely to occur over the next 6 - 8 weeks vis-à-vis the pandemic.
President James Nevers rang the bell at 6:21 p.m.
Jim Meniketti recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
Guests this evening were Jerry Cohn, Gary’s father, and John Cohn, Jerry’s twin brother, both of whom are WWII vets and served at Pearl Harbor, and Dee Woodbery.
Announcements:
Dave DeBois reported that he has sent an email to all of us on our Christmas presents-buying. He needs people to shop and wrap presents, and solicited additional funds from Club members. We are buying for 15 families, comprising 106 people. If donating money through the Club or Kirkland Rotary Foundation, or through the link in his email, be sure to use “Holiday Gift” to designate where the funds are to go.
Mike Hunter introduced Nelly Mex Canul, our very accomplished Rotary Student of the Month from Lake Washington High School. She is now senior. She came from Mexico 11 years ago, not speaking the language or knowing much about the U.S. She noted that there was a lack of services and of representation for Latinos at school. She is conducting a survey at Lake Washington about different forms of problems various ethnic groups face and how various organizations are helping students to overcome these issues.
Gary Cohn introduced our speaker, Bill Knudsen of Puget Sound Honor Flight, the local branch of a national organization that honors veterans, especially WWII, vets by flying them to Washington, D.C. to see the various monuments, especially veteran’s monuments. All expenses are paid, including the flight, hotels, tours, meals, etc.
Honor Flight has 100 chapters in 45 states. Normally there are four flights to D.C. per year from Puget Sound, but the pandemic has caused a temporary hiatus. Bill notes 97% of every dollar goes towards providing the trips for the vets. There are always people to greet the veterans at every stop, including landing back in Seattle. John and Jerry Cohn shared a few memories from their October 2017 Honor Flight.
There were several questions and comments for Club members.
We adjourned at about 7:20 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted
David Aubry - Acting Scribe