Rotary Log for Meeting of July 20, 2017
by Richard Greulich
Photos by Tube Loch
President Ben opened the meeting with a surprise announcement. Our very own Judy Ringer is scheduled to sing the National Anthem at Fenway Park on July 31! The Boston Red Sox home game starts at 7:00 PM.
Judy led us in song in a test run of the National Anthem. A fair conclusion was drawn that Judy will sound better solo than accompanied by 70+ vocal Rotarians. Greeter Justin Finn led the Test. John Rice invoked God’s blessings.
Guests and Rotarian hosts.
Yvonne Leppo (Richard Lyons)
Mary Gail Sycamore (Susan Gold)
Katie Duncan (Madeline Warren)
Nicole Locore (Madeline Warren)
Bruce Arend (Priscilla MacInnis)
Chelsea Rogers (Leo Gagnon)
Visiting Rotarians.
Russ Smith (Durham-Great Bay)
Stephen Kniez (Durham-Great Bay)
Dick Parker (Exeter)
Colleen Westcott (Nashua). Colleen was placed on seven day notice. Congrats!
Birthdays.
There seems to be a bumper crop of Rotarians with birthdays in July. President Ben recognized all 17 celebrants. Of particular note was the upcoming 60th birthday of Ted Alex.
With John Pappas’s help and upon Dan Hoefle’s recommendation, Ben awarded Ted an unused package of “Depends.”
The presentation was made in absentia. Perhaps Ted was in (another) continent.
Fines, Happy Dollars, Raffle Results.
FineMeister Neil Ouellett levied fines on five recently new members for being, well, new! Of the five, only Lindsay Hery was in attendance!
Surprisingly President Ben announced that past President James Petersen has joined the merry ranks of FineMeisters. And we had thought so highly of James!
Happy Dollars were here again. Judy Ringer was happy to be a Fenway Park soprano. Tom Decker returned from Alaska. Justin Finn celebrated 17 years at Secure Planning. He credited Rotary’s “Blue Sky” program for his good fortune. James Petersen was eagerly anticipating a London vacation with his wife. Leanne Spees is preparing for her two day Pan-Mass. bike ride for cancer victims and survivors.
Bob Davis won the raffle, netting $132. No match ensued.
The program: Matt Mayberry
David Holden introduced our guest speaker, Matt Mayberry. Matt has been active in N.H. politics and government. He is a past Dover city councilman and recent past vice chairman of the N.H. Republican Party. Pertinent to our meeting’s talk, he is also an Air Force veteran. Matt’s cause celebre is the plight of active and former service men and women, especially veterans.
According to Matt, current service men and women endure relatively low pay scales. As a result, 25% of service families rely on welfare just to make ends meet. Pending legislation would result in a 2.5% pay increase. Matt encouraged support of that legislation.
The primary issue addressed by Matt was the mental and emotional instability of many veterans today. Lack of financial means, lack of self-worth and PTSD are all contributing factors. Unfortunately often the end result is suicide.
Matt was all too familiar with the topic on which he spoke. In words that left our nerves raw, Matt described in detail his own past suicidal attempt. At the time he was beset by several stressful events. Loss of his home, financial distress, feelings of inadequacy and worthlessness all contributed to his downward spiral.
His ending plan was to deliberately crash his car onto a guard rail post. At the last moment before impact his hand on the steering wheel was nudged over a few inches. It was just enough to escape a fatal impact. Matt attributed that saving hand movement to God and acknowledged his strong faith. Afterwards he sought help and found it in several people.
Matt emphasized that veterans who similarly suffer need to say the words, “I Need Help.” Being willing to say that turned his life around. His mission now is to ensure that other veterans will seek and find similar help.
Matt concluded by noting that all of us can do our part. Especially by empathetically listening and attending to veterans in need.
Our meeting ended with a standing ovation of applause for a talk well-intentioned and well-delivered.
Respectfully submitted, Richard Greulich
.
