President Dan Coons opened the meeting by introducing himself and reciting the 2020-21 Rotary International theme - Rotary Opens Opportunities. He then recited the Rotary Vision Statement:
Together we see a world where people unite and
take action to create lasting change -
across the globe, in our communities and in ourselves
Dave Brauchler offered the invocation, and Warren Williamson led the pledge of allegiance.
Rotary Minute - Greg Okonowski
Greg talked about his Rotary experience. He was one of several who joined Mesa West the year Pam Cohen was President in 1997-98. He said he was right out of college, and Rotary has been his family - not only in Mesa West - but Rotarians he's met from all over the world have treated him like family because of all we have in common. He was kind of intimidated when he heard about the expectation of Every Rotarian Every Year (EREY) giving $100 to The Rotary Foundation. He didn't have a spare $100. Keith Deering encouraged him to give $2 each week to the Treasurer so he could accumulate his $100 for the year and it worked. One of the things that he loves about Rotary is that if you dream it, you can make it happen. Someone dreamed of the need for a fight to end polio and look where we are today. (only two cases of wild polio virus have been reported in 2021 - one in Afghanistan and one in Pakistan). When you dream something and can help make it happen it creates a contagious passion. He thought he was joining to get business leads and network. A former member, Mike Whalen, who was in the club at the time took Greg to every networking event possible. Greg is proud that our club does things close to home that help the community. Accepting officer positions taught him how to delegate. He encouraged our newer members to "Get involved - it will change your life!"
Introduction of Guests
- Tom Yuzer - attending via Zoom
- Assistant Governor, Lee Holmes - attending via Zoom
Ace of Clubs Raffle - Chuck Flint
Chuck explained that the holder of the ticket drawn would win $65 and the opportunity to try to draw the ace of clubs from the ten remaining cards in the deck. Should they draw the ace of clubs, they would win the big pot of $1,722. Don Boucher was asked to draw the winning ticket. The ticket he drew belonged to Frank Rosenberg. After Frank shuffled the cards, he drew the nine of spades, which was destroyed. Next week the odds and the potential winnings will both improve.
Happy Bucks - Greg Okonowski
- Frank Rosenberg contributed. He was happy to have finished his first two weeks of the Nurse Practitioner program he will be participating in at NAU for the next three years. He was also happy he would be heading to Flagstaff for the weekend.
- Don LaBarge added to Greg's Rotary minute by adding that when Greg was Club President in 2008-09, Rotary International President D. K. Lee came to Arizona to see the District Governors. Greg had the opportunity to attend a private dinner party with the RI President while he was in town.
- Pam Cohen contributed because she loved Greg's Rotary Minute.
- Wendell Jones contributed. He would be marrying his sweetheart, Sandra, Friday, June 11.
- Jeane Crouse made a $10 pledge to Guaymas, paying for the right to share a story about her family. On Sunday evenings her family including grandchildren and great grandchildren get together and one of their fun traditions is to learn more about or more about how to correctly use a word. Recently they talked about the difference between lie and lay. Only an inanimate object can lay. She asked Wendell Jones if he could point out an inanimate object. Wendell pointed to Ray Smith, then the two of them sang Pistol Packin' Mama to illustrate the proper use of the word as in "lay that pistol down..."
- Ed Koeneman contributed because he is really glad to be able to meet and have lunch with his Rotary friends, and share that "there are only 923 days left until the next Star Wars movie comes out."
- Darl Andersen contributed. He had traveled to Peru recently where he ate nothing but beans and rice, and he was really looking forward to his Rotary lunch and felt like he had returned to Peru when he saw what was on the menu for the meeting.
- Wayne General contributed - he was happy to be at the meeting and see everyone.
- Wendell Jones contributed in order to inform everyone that the most used phrase in 2020 was "You're on mute."
- Shelly Romine explained why she had attended via Zoom rather than in person the prior week. She had to go to the airport to pick up three high school friends who came to Arizona to see her for the weekend and they enjoyed a ton of fun! She contributed for the fun, but also for the members who had contributed to our food drive to benefit Paz de Cristo.
- Dick Myren was happy about the Phoenix Suns' playoff performance.
- Ron Thompson contributed and tried to give Greg a bad time about the Rotary Minute. He was concerned that all the praise Greg was receiving would go to his head.
- Jay Stuckey contributed - he was happy that Melissa's membership application had been approved by the board.
- Dave Brauchler asked for the significance of "Guaymas" to Mesa West. Ray Smith briefly explained our (before COVID) annual Gift of Hearing mission to provide hearing aids and treatment mostly for kids, but for some adults each year as well. It is a project started by Bob Jensen, who is an audiologist, thirty years ago. When it is possible to do the project, a team of medical professionals and logistical volunteers travel by bus to Guaymas for a long weekend of service. Bob's project eventually became a project of Mesa Baseline Rotary Club. When the Mesa Baseline club merged into Mesa West, they brought the project and their foundation funds to support the project with them,since the merger of the two clubs, the Guaymas Gift of Hearing project is a signature international service project of Mesa West Rotary. In 2020, Bob Jensen received Rotary's coveted "Service Above Self" award for his service and commitment to this ongoing project.
- Chuck Flint had received some photos to share when he received a letter of appreciation for the Mesa West Rotary Foundation donation sent to Sleep in Heavenly Peace - a project which provides beds and bedding for children who do not have their own bed. He passed them around the room so all would have a chance to see them.
- Pam Cohen was really happy to have Ed Koeneman's technical assistance.
- Bob Zarling from Zoom pledged $8 for the Milwaukee Bucks playoff performance.
- Lee Holmes pledged $10 - he's missed attending meetings recently due to stuff going on with his family, but wanted to pitch the big year-end District 5495 celebration coming up on July 10 at the Wigwam. All Rotarians are invited and encouraged to attend. See separate article in this newsletter.
- Chris Krueger was sorry to have to attend via Zoom. Sometimes "stupid work" interferes. She was excited to hear John Pennypacker's program.
- Juli Kelly- pledged $5. She was sorry to have missed some recent meetings.
Announcements
- Save the date - July 1 Installation Event
- June Service Projects
- Food drive at all in-person June meetings - food collected to be donated to Paz de Cristo.
- United School for Autism hands on project moving classroom and library to new locations on their site.
- Special request from Jack Rosenberg who would like to attend our in-person meetings, but would appreciate being able to sit at a table reserved for those who are fully vaccinated against COVID. It was announced that the table nearest the door would be designated as such going forward.
Program - My Story as a Veteran - MAJ J E Pennypacker, Jr, US Army, Retired
When it was time for the program, those at the meeting were surprised to hear a knock at the door. When they turned around to see what was going on, John entered the room wearing fatigues he had last worn in October, 1985, announcing in a voice that commanded attention, "Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen, I am Major John Pennypacker, US Army Aviation, Retired. My presentation today falls between Memorial Day where we remember those who gave all and Flag Day.
In the United States, Flag Day is celebrated to commemorate the adoption of the flag of the United States on June 14, 1977, by resolution of the Second Continental Congress. It is the flag flown outside my home.
John asked how many veterans were in the room, and saluted them. He asked rhetorically "What is a veteran - just someone who served his country?"
He showed a photo of Colonel Galusha Pennypacker of the Union Army explaining he commanded the 97th Pennsylvania Infantry. He lead an assault on Fort Fisher near Wilmington, NC on Christmas Day - an assault which failed. COL Pennypacker rallied his men. They believed in him trusted him and followed him a few weeks later when he again led the assault. The second time, the assault was successful but at a price. The unit color-bearer was mortally wounded. COL Pennypacker picked up the colors and continued the assault. The banner had over 100 bullet holes in it. He too was severely wounded. Because of his intrepid leadership he was promoted to Brevet Major General. He was 22 years old and remains today the youngest general officer in the US Army. He was later awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his actions at the battle of Fort Fisher.
John introduced another veteran, Captain John E. Pennypacker, US Army Air Corps, WWII. He served with the 8th Air Force, 576th Bomb Squadron. He flew out of Wendling England near Sussex. He was a flight leader on D-Day. He once told John that he climbed into the upper turret in his B-17 and, as he looked to the north, south and west all he could see were planes filling the sky. He flew oer twenty-five missions, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters. John's dad was a veteran and John's hero.
John was proud of what his father - a young man from a small country town, Winchester, Virginia had been a part of in serving his nation. John pointed out that the most famous person to have been born in that little community was Patsy Cline.
John asked if anyone might remember Wallace Warfield Simpson - the twice divorced woman for whom the King of England abdicated his throne to "marry the woman he loved." He then asked if they had any idea what she, Patsy Cline, and the little cherub pictured here might have in common.The answer was that all three were brought into this world by the same doctor.
Winchester, Virginia is also known as the "Apple Capitol of the World." Yeach year, the Apple Blossom Festival is celebrated there with a coronoation of a queen, and queens to have courts even in Virginia. The celebration included a grand parade. In 1951, the year that John was a Junior Blossom, Esther Williams was the Grand Marshall of the parade.
John noticed the men about town were standing straighter and taller and "sucking it in" whenever they saw her.John was an average kid growing up on a farm. He gathered eggs, got his hands pecked unmercifully, milked the cow, churned the butter, weeded the garden and helped his dad herd cattle. He didn't have time to get into too much mischief.
His parents and grandparents thought it would do him good to go to military school as his father had done many years prior.
John entered Staunton Military Academy in Staunton, Virginia which was about 100 miles from home. He entered as a freshman. He said he was a RAT, which he defined as lower than whale stuff at the bottom of the ocean and you were treated as such. He said it was a rude awakening.All students were assigned to companies just as in a military unit. At that time, John's Company Commander was Cadet Captain Robert E. Lee, III, a direct descendant. John though he was a god and that the sun rose and set at his command. His voice echoed in the halls and on the parade field.
John adapted to his new way of life since he had to sink or swim. He did well academically and thrived in the military environment. Three years later, as a senior, he emerged as the Commander of E Company.John said it was easy to decide to become a veteran. He was drafted. A few months after being drafted, he found himself in Viet Nam.
John showed the meme about water as it reminded him of an early important lesson learned in Viet Nam.He had been in-country about two weeks in early 1955. He was on one of his first combat patrols when they were attacked. It was early in the morning. The attack - fortunately - did not last aver long. John explained that when you get a little scared, you get very thirsty. It was only about 8:00 a.m. and he drank every last drop from his canteen. They were not going to be resupplied until late that afternoon. It was hot and humid.
There was a soldier in his squad named Jefferson. He was from Alabama or Georgia. He too was thirsty and was drinking from his canteen. He looked at John and said, "Hey, white boy, you thirsty?" John said "Yeah!" and Jefferson handed him his almost full canteen. John has never forgotten that lesson of humanity.
John spent about nine months in the jungles and learned to carry four canteens. He set a personal record that he would not encourage anyone to strive for. They spent 56 days on patrol marching through jungles, rice paddies, and dusty roads. They did not have a shower with soap and water that entire time. It did rain. They did have a few opportunities to soak in a creek. Unfortunately, after those soaks, would have to get a buddy and their cigarette lighter to get the leaches off his body.
It didn't take John long to realize here had to be a better way to make a living. In late 1966, he was off to helicopter flight school. He graduated mid-August 1967. He reported to his first duty assignment at the Aircraft Maintenance Officer course at Ft. Eustis, Virginia. In the photo, he pointed out the necessary accoutrements for an aviator that he has - sunglasses and a Seiko watch.It was Labor Day weekend. It was hot. He was a red-blooded American helicopter pilot. He had a fist full of money in his pocket and he headed off to Virginia Beach in search of girls. Late one evening, he met a beautiful girl. Her name was Betsy. She didn't want anything to do with John. Her friend who worked for the Fairfax County police department gave John Betsy's telephone number and address.
A few weeks later, John called Betsy. They had a few dates. The went skiing. He took her to an Army Christmas Ball. Her name tag for the ball read "Mrs. Pennypacker." She tore it up.
In late January, 1968 when John was leaving the next day to return to Vietnam, John bravely asked Betsy to marry him, and she said, "Yes."
Harry Reasoner explained the difference between airline pilots and helicopter pilots, "Airline pilots are open, clear eyed, buoyant extroverts, and helicopter pilots are brooders, introspective anticipators of trouble. They know if something bad has not happened, it is about to."
John showed a picture of A Company 227th AHC, 1st Cavalry Division at Camp Evans, RVN 1968, saying, "this is where I learned to really fly and we all learned in a hurry." He soon became the Maintenance Officer and test pilot for the unit. He continued to learn a lot. Some really great mechanics and SGTs helped him learn.
John said he could dance then, and he still does.
"What did you do in the war daddy?"
"I just took the boys to work."
John said he never forgot his roots, adding, "the aviators only exist to help the ground pounders."He showed a photo of two real American heroes. Neal Heape and Clyde French were their mainstay flight leaders on combat assaults inserting troops. During the battles around Hue, Khe Sanh and the A Shau Valley they individually displayed their mettle and each were awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and numerous other awards. John said, "We would follow them anywhere, anytime." They were only twenty years old. Both have recently passed but both are well remembered.
While in Vietnam, John was able to go on R&R to Australia over Christmas 1968. While there, he was invited to a family's gathering on "boxing day."
He was asked what he was going to do after he returned to Vietnam. John answered he would be heading home in late January 1969 to get married in February. The lady of the house disappeared and when she returned she handed John a 3 pence coin and said to have his bride put it in her shoe for good luck. John said it worked, he considers himself a very lucky man.
In 1982, John and Betsy made their first home purchase. It was in Yorktown, Virginia, not far from Virginia Beach where they met. Their second home is where John still lives today. When they moved in in 1986, it was their 24th move in 19 years of marriage.
John said there is no doubt that flying the Ch-47 Chinook helicopter was the highlight of his flying career. He flew them all over Europe and up and down the east coast of the United States. His last duty assignment was Chief of the Army's Helicopter Maintenance Officer Course and the Army's Helicopter Test Pilot Course.
Thirteen years ago, John's world was turned upside down when he lost his Betsy. She is buried in Arlington National Cemetery. In the photo, he is walking with his grandson and John is proud to note they were marching in step.At Christmas, Arlington National Cemetery is bathed with wreathes on every headstone as part of "Wreaths Across America." It is a most beautiful sight and a fitting tribute for veterans and their families.
The Pennypacker family goes on. The top left photo below, is of John's son Jay with his family. The little boy marching with John thirteen years ago is now fifteen. He is taller than John and has beaten his dad in golf from the same tees. The top right photo is of John's daughter, Katie. The photo was taken of Katie on TV hill overlooking Kabul., Afghanistan. John is not the only veteran in his family.
October 13, 2013 was a wonderful day for daddy and daughter. John's entire family was at Katie's wedding. The photo on the bottom right is of Katie's boys, Owen and Will. It was taken a couple of years ago.
John shared some statistics from the Vietnam war.
Just under 40,000 soldiers killed were under 22 years old.
997 were killed on their first day
1448 were killed on their last day
8 nurses are listed on the Wall.
John was able to attend the dedication of this memorial at Arlington National Cemetery with his daughter, Katie.
John wrapped up his presentation saying sometimes
memories sneak out of his eyes and roll down his cheeks.
CLICK HERE to watch a video John shared titled "God's Own Lunatics" by Joe Galloway
Editorial note - I am not this good. John shared his notes and images with me.