Happy New Year!  Today was our first meeting of 2017!  Our speaker today was fellow Rotarian, Phil Murdock. Col. Murdock served as the Vermont Air National Guard Commander and he spoke to our Club about the recent deployment of Vermont Air Guard troops to the Middle East.  He indicated that this recent deployment was like no other in that troops had a mere 30 days-notice to prepare for their departure as opposed to the full year they are usually given.  All 300 of the deployed troops volunteered for the mission and the spots were filled in less than 24 hours.  Phil indicated that the Air Guard provides a great deal of support to troops and their families during the pre-deployment stage. The actual deployment occurred in stages with an advance group going over with many of the supplies that would be needed.  Phil also described the manner in which the ammunition and the planes themselves had to be reconfigured for combat after arriving in the Middle East.  When asked why this deployment occurred, Phil explained that it was done to fill a gap as the aircraft carriers that usually house planes needed to return for servicing.  For more information about the mission and the deployment process, please visit the following links:

 

 

 

 

 

 

            As many of you already know, longtime Rotarian Ray Cota passed away in December. Ray was very active at both the Club and District level and will be dearly missed.  In recognition of Ray’s many contributions to the Club and the community in general, the Club will be naming one of our annual scholarships after him and we will also be making a donation to the Rotary Foundation in his honor.

 

 

            We are once again gearing up for the Essex Rotary All-Star High School Hockey Classic!  Not only is this our Club’s second largest fundraiser, but it is a great opportunity for several of the best hockey players in Vermont to showcase their skills in one last game. The event will feature a men’s game and a women’s game and it will be held at the Essex Skating Facility in March.  Stay tuned for more details on the event itself and how you can help out!

 

 

            The next opportunities to volunteer at the Heavenly Food Pantry will be on January 26^th, February 23^rd and March 23rd.  Please contact Sharon Dettenrieder if you would like to sign up for shifts.

 

Upcoming Meeting Schedule:  January 11, 2017 – The Public Relations Committee will be delivering a presentation on the navigation and use of our Club’s website.

 

For the complete list of upcoming speakers and information about the Club, please go to our website at www.essexrotary.org   Be sure to also visit us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/EssexVermontRotary

 

       Yours in Rotary,

 

Jason Ruwet