By Ted Barber
Following another excellent luncheon meal and fellowship, Shane Collins opened the Lake Butler Rotary Club meeting for business. Art said the opening prayer, Jenny gave us the song and we all said the Pledge of Allegiance.
Our Program Chairperson Nancy Griffis introduced her topic as the “Remembering Our Heroes” (White Crosses with attached American Flags). Her enthusiasm for honoring our American Military Veterans was a very challenging project she witnessed in Macclenny, Florida. She was impressed by the outstanding display of White Crosses with attached American Flags that had been displayed for several years. She visited the organizers in Baker County and with that knowledge she was able to purchase enough materials for 50 white crosses with American Flags. She enlisted the help of the UCHS Vocational Staff to make and letter the crosses. The LBRC members were given the signup sheets and with the help of our Rotarians, Interact Club and the Supervisor of Election’s Office the first 50 crosses were made and positioned adjacent to Sprinkle Field on SR 121. The initial 50 crosses with Flags were put in place for Memorial Day on May 19, 2021. Based upon the lessons learned for the initial 50 crosses, the price for each cross with Flag for the twice annual 6-week patriotic displays, storage and maintenance went from $40 to $60. Veteran’s Day 2021 will have an estimated 300 white crosses with American Flags posted for the three-week period. The Lake Butler Rotary Club, our sponsored Interact Club, and all Union County Residents should be very proud of this American Patriotic Project that Rotarian Nancy Griffis initiated. The Rotary International Motto, “Service above self-one profits most who serves best” is exemplified in our county’s twice annual display of white crosses with attached American Flags honoring our American Military Veteran Heroes.
Nancy asked that the Rotarians that could help retrieve the crosses and Flags be at Sprinkle Field at 8:30 AM, June 15, 2021. Jody Read will be storing the 50 crosses and flags after the flags are laundered. Nancy is ordering a plastic composite to replace the labor intensive wood. The total cost for each cross and Flag will be about $50.
The “Did You Know?” question asked what was the name of a renowned author and lecturer born in 1880 and passed on this date in 1968 that was blind and deaf? Nancy gave the name Helen Keller (Nancy at one time worked in a hospital in NY State where Helen Keller frequented.
Upcoming program chairpersons: June 8- Dave Mecusker, June 15- Garrett Milton, June 22- Carlton Faulk, June 29- Jody Read, July 6- Mike Ripplinger, July 13- Jack Schenck, July 20- Joe Stephenson, July 27- Derick Thomas, and August 3- Russ Wade.
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