On the thirteenth anniversary of the Islamic extremist attacks on the World Trade Center Towers . . .

New Canaan Rotary Club Bulletin                                        September 11, 2014

 

On the thirteenth anniversary of the Islamic extremist attacks on the World Trade Center Towers, the Pentagon, and an aborted plane flight in a field in Pennsylvania on September 11, 2001 President/Pastor Eric started us off with a responsive prayer which affirmed that "We remember."  This on the heels of the President's speech to the nation last evening stating that the threat we hoped to have defeated has morphed into the ISIS organization and must be degraded and destroyed.  Apparently we can't just all get along.  Today's Pledge was recited with a little extra feeling.

 

The audience quickly filled four tables when, to everyone's amazement, Kevin McLaughlin appeared on time and initiated the "Hooligan Table" in the space normally occupied by the choir.  Will wonders never cease?

 

Rob Avery's weekly update on the Lobsterfest rapidly degenerated into a Methodist/Catholic/Episcopal scrum over whose Boy Scout troop would be most active as stand-ins for the Homecoming-distracted SLOBS.  That argument will be decisively settled two weeks from tomorrow when boots either will or will not be on the ground.  Rob was finally able to gain control over his ecumenical message which included instructions to autograph the work sign-up sheet early and often, to get checks for your tickets in to him asap, and to take and fill 30 dessert shells or contribute $25 for a store-bought sheet cake.

 

Steve then stood straight up and entreated those members who wanted an excuse to skip the District Governor's visit next week to purchase individual tickets for the NC Chamber of Commerce Golf Outing next Thursday at Woodway for $350 or a foursome for $1,200.  President Eric urged those members able to resist Steve's pitch to wear their District Governor 2014-2015 pins to the September 18 meeting.

 

Eric then mentioned that the Wilton Club has been active for several years in the Stop Hunger Now effort which will occur this year on October 25 at the Wilton Presbyterian Church compound .  Volunteers are needed for our Club to surpass the Wilton contribution.  Talk to Eric.

 

Sergeant Scott got to his punch line before anyone realized he had started his weekly observation on the human condition and then totally surprised the back corner table by arriving with outstretched hand gripping the collection basket.  Apparently this was a new and unexpected concept for the denizens of that dark corner.  Ed came up with a happy to be back from Minnesota where it is already getting cold; President John Adams for his anticipated appearance at Norwalk Community College; Fireman [a high encomium on this day] Fred a sad for the unfortunate introduction of his dog to the neighborhood skunk; and Scott a happy for encountering the tan and mellow Dr. Steve "Spider" Sovich during an appointment with Steve's old partner.

 

Today's speaker was the lovely Amy Curran from our old friends at HALO.  Our Club has been supporting this worthwhile organization since 2003 to the tune of a total of $20,000.  They operate in 16 countries with 7,000 employees, most indigenous citizens, getting rid of land mines and the other lethal detritus of war.  They were founded in Afghanistan in 1988 by two former British Army officers who were horrified at the potential damage the abandoned mines, weapons and ammunition left over when the Soviets retreated from that country would cause if not removed.  HALO's profile was raised considerably when Princess Diana named it her favorite charity and the family commitment has been carried on by her son Prince Harry.  Clearing the land allows the former residents to return home and the land to be returned to productive uses.  The work is painstaking and slow and dangerous, but the results are dramatic.  Few mines are being sown these days and the demining continues, so it is possible to imagine a future without them.  Inspiring program.

 

Rambo