A
Thanksgiving Volunteer Tradition
Once again
this year, PP Don St Louis is coordinating Utica
Rotary's Thanksgiving Day meal delivery effort. Don will
need volunteers to meet at the First Presbyterian Church
at 1605 Genesee St. in Utica at 10:30 am on Thursday
morning. Please give Don a call (736-7073) if you can
help.
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Serving
Others on the Other Side of the World
PP Dave Jones Reports from Cambodia
November 15
It was another day of a
long jostling ride in the land cruiser over bad dirt
roads at a fast moving pace. Perhaps it was also one of
the top `10 most significant days of my life. We got a
7AM start out of the Halo compound in Thona Puok. It
rained briefly the first 1/2 hour which left a long
stretch of recently rolled dirt a quagmire of deep red
mud. Children were walking their bikes to school, moto
riders extended their legs to the ground to keep
balance, and care fishtailed as driving in a CNY March
slush storm. My vehicle (the last of 4)skidded and
stalled in the middle of the road and did not restart.
After a failed attempt to push it we were left stranded
in the middle of this busy road with the 90 degree sun
baking down. To complicate things a pickup truck was
just off the road with a overturned cargo of bagged
fish. Children were recruited to reload the truck which
was uprighted by the time of our dilemma.. Within 30
minutes a Halo cruiser came back to jump start us and we
moved quickly to make up for lost time. We got to the
exterior halo compound, in Banteay Meamchey Province,
where the deminers live and plan the daily strategy for
the day. A quick lunch and 10 more minutes to the
minefield on K5 bought us to the Lvea Village , zone 3
and 4 which Utica and Seattle 4 Rotary clubs funded.
Over 300 APLs (anti personal LM) were removed since
their start on zone 3 June 1st. We were briefed on
safety for 30 minutes and then donned Kevlar bib jackets
and shielded helmets to walk off (2 Rotarians w/ 1
deminer specialist). I was fortunate to get Makara which
we nicknamed "Big Mack"". His parents and siblings were
killed by the Kmer Roughe when he was 6 and he survived
with a long story of it's own-simply amazing!!. Within a
minute we observed diminers busy and within 20 minutes a
APL was found. Mack exposed it for viewing. A Russin PMN.
I shot photos within 2 feet. IN all 5 APL were found
that day. Kurt Chesko selected me to detonate one from
40 meters away. Psyched I cranked up the box attached to
the wire sending a current to the charge attached to the
LM. I hit the button and BOOM! Mackra said ""there's
another one back to Russia"". For me it was a proud
moment representing my club who has supported me on this
important endeavor. This LM will never be a treat to the
villages living only 1/4 mile away. 3PM is quitting time
for the deminers where we got group photos and drove the
1/4 mile to a house where the children were anxiously
waiting. The children stood still and quiet not really
knowing what to expect. Some were in rags, all barefoot
and layered with the red dirt of their environment. I
cut the ribbon with the pins we collected in 6 pieces
and gave them to my team members. Children proudly
selected their pin and were honored have us place them.
Clothing, books, crayons all got distributed with 30
minutes and then they sang us a song that bought tears
to my eyes. I have no idea what they said but it was
beautiful! This made the trip for me.
Off to Phnom Penh today were I will meet with Cambodia
Trust (A NGO who trains orthotic/prosthetic technicians.
Home on Sunday to arrive on Monday.
I look forward to sharing the whole story on my return.
Yours in Rotary service,
PP Dave
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Holiday Bash
is On
by Rick Holohan, Utica
Rotary Party Animal
The Holiday party is on
Friday 11/30 at the Ft Schuyler at 7pm. There will be
wonderful hors d'oerves, music, some dance floor and
some karaoke. Thanksgiving will be over and it will be
time to relax with good friends and that is our purpose.
I'm sure that when you get back from your travels or
send those wonderful kids home that you will want to
take a break for yourselves and join us. The problem is
that we do not have a meeting on the 23rd due to the
holiday and the 30th is too late for the Club to order
those wonderful hors d'oerves. Tickets will be available
Friday, but I need a count even if you cannot make it
Friday. If you are coming, please respond to this e-mail
so I can book you reservations ------ and I would like
to hear from everyone who plans to attend- officers,
board members, committee people etc. It is not enough
for me to assume you are coming since the Ft Schuyler
needs a real count. I hope you can make it. It will be a
good time On behalf of Andy Alessia, Steve Gassner and
the Fellowship Committee, we wish you and your families
a Happy Thanksgiving and a Wonderful Holiday Season. See
you on the 30th
