Friday, November 11, 2005

Ketchum-Sun Valley Rotary Club salutes veterans


Ketchum-Sun Valley Rotary Club members who are also military veterans were honored Tuesday at the club's weekly luncheon.

As part of the program, singer, songwriter and musical teacher Helen Hudson-Weaver and her daughters, Grace and Amy Jo, delivered a beautiful rendition of our national anthem.

President-elect Torene Bonner read the names, branches of service and last rank of each veteran in the club. Those recognized for their military service were Lloyd Betts, John Caine, Bill Cassell, Rick Davis, Dennis Hanggi, Tom Lenze, Floyd McCracken, John McDonald, Jim McLaughlin, Ed Redman, Pete Stommel, Bob Stone, Rick Uberuaga, and Sam Yost.

Rotarian Suzanne Hazlett coordinated the luncheon. The mother of a United States Marine Corps captain, Hazlett offered "it's a small gesture, but one made from the heart. Rotary is an international organization with a 100-year history of giving to the community. A fundamental tenet of the club is "service above self." I can think of no greater, selfless commitment than the one these veterans have made."

Idaho native and former fighter pilot Bob Holland was the featured speaker. Holland and four other veterans co-authored the recently published book "We Pushed the Limits: Reflections of Five Old Fighter Pilots."

It is tradition at the club's weekly luncheons to bring the meeting to order by reciting the Pledge of Allegiance followed by a prayer. John Caine, a veteran of World War II who served as an Army corporal in the European Theatre Operations and then later in the United States Army Reserve until 1958, delivered the prayer at Tuesday's meeting. Affectionately known as "Coach," Caine recited an emotionally moving prayer acknowledging those who have served their country and those who are serving today. Coach's prayer is included here.

A Prayer for Veterans Day

Father, as we celebrate Veterans Day on Friday, may we first go back to the year 1776 to the beginning of our great nation and marvel at how far we have come as a country from an English colony to the most powerful nation in the world.

Just as you did in those early days of our great nation, show us how to defeat our enemies of today with as little loss of life as possible.

Help our current leaders to make the right decisions to overcome all obstacles to victory!

Just as in the past, may we, as Rotarians and citizens of this wonderful country, offer our complete support to those brave men and women who today are willing to put their lives on the line to serve our nation now as in the past!

These things we ask in thy name.

Amen




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