Los Altos Rotary Club Home of the Annual Rotary Fine Art Show December 9 2010

So, what were you doing in the Summer of 1942?  Not born yet, you say!
It is easy, and I suppose natural to dismiss any part of history that "was before my time."
While I was born before 1942, I was just a kid and certainly didn't have any feeling about the war (WW II for you really young) other than how it affected me, with blackouts, air raid drills, and rationing.

But a lot was going on that I didn't know.  Just like today, but for a different reason.  Today with the internet, we know, or I should say, we can know, virtually everything that is happening now.  I am not talking about the Kardashians, but things like Darfur, or Haiti or the Middle East.  Most of us choose to limit the topics to things that are interesting (maybe like the Kardashians, I don't know) or things that affect us personally.  The rest is noise, to be filtered out, so we can remain happy. 

But history really tells us a lot.  People interested in history are called History Buffs. Somehow this seems a bit demeaning.  Maybe history buffs are people who are interested in specific times, specific battles, political movements, etc.  But we all should be interested in what went on 'before our time.' We weren't there to experience it.  You never know, it might have been interesting and even important.

Our speaker today was a man who was part of a group of men who 'made history.'  Lawson Sakai was a member of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team of the United States Army.  More on Mr. Sakai talk later.

Our meeting opened with newly minted Red Badger, MARK JOHNSON, leading the pledge.  CRES MCFALL gave us several thoughts to keep us for the week, and then, and THEN KENDRA GJERSETH did something that no one in our club has ever done.  If it was, it was before my time.  There are 12 tables set up for lunch.  Approximately 8 people for each table.

Got the picture so far?  Oh, and it is the Christmas Season.  So what could be more natural than break down the group in to 12 groups (tables) and have each table sing part of the Twelve Days of Christmas?  It was so natural, and wonderful, and fun I wonder why no one has ever thought to do it?.  Everyone (except table 10 - 'On the tenth day of Christmas..." you know who you are, really got into it.  Table 5 was a bit over the top.  I say that because I wasn't part of table 5. 

Look at it this way, has any Rotator spent this much ink talking about the song?  I can't remember ever. Thanks KENDRA for your creativity. 

PE MONA ARMISTEAD introduced Visiting Rotarians and we had two, John from Palos Verde, a repeat visitor from the week before, and Jackie Paleologos from Freedom Rotary Club (Watsonville area).  Jackie presented our club with a $1,000 check for our Child AIDS project.
 
In addition we had several guests of JEAN MORDO and SANDY WHIPPLE.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

• President DENNIS YOUNG mentioned that Alotta's Deli will cater once again for this coming week's meeting.   They catered two weeks ago.   Incidentally, if you plan on bringing a guest to hear the Main Street Singers this coming week, please let Dennis know so we can have sufficient tables set up.  It is somewhat disruptive to have to do this after the fact.
• President DENNIS also mentioned about the Rotary Foundation push: "Every Rotarian Every Year."  What this means is that Rotary would like to receive a donation from every member of our club every year.  Any amount qualifies under this banner.  However, $100, $200, $500, and $1,000 levels have specific names:  Sustainer, Double Sustainer, Super Sustainer and Paul Harris.  PP CINDY LUEDTKE will put a smiley face on your badge for ANY donation. 
President DENNIS is looking for 100% participation.  According to the thermometer, we are at 51%.  Let's get with it and get a smile from Cindy.

• On December 3rd, ROLAND PAYNE, and PP SAM PESNER received the Joint Community Service Awards sponsored jointly by the City of Los Altos and the Town of Los Altos Hills. Duncan MacVicar, spouse of JEANNE MacVicar was also honored.
• Polish your boots.  Dust off your Stetson.  Save Sunday, Jan 2nd to go to the Saddle Rack.  RI President, yes, Ray Klinginsmith himself will be at the Saddle Rack in Fremont for a party.  Full details are here.  Signup form here
• KENDRA the Party Lady GJERSETH, gave her last reminder about the Holiday Party this coming Wednesday, at 6PM at the Jesuit Retreat House, El Retiro.  As of this meeting, not a lot of Red Badgers had signed up.  KENDRA made a strong appeal for them to sign up as it is lots of fun and a great way to really meet and get to know fellow Rotarians.  Food's great, venue is spectacular, fellowship is unbeatable.  Experience - priceless.
• SANDIE WHIPPLE made an announcement regarding obtaining volunteers to assist in delivering books. The need was for last Friday, and no longer relevant.  But thanks for whomever volunteered.
• NANCY SIMON reminded everyone about the CSA holiday gift drive.  She particularly wants pajamas because CSA tries to give every member in the family one pair each.  Think about what you are getting/giving to your family.  We should all get behind this drive.  This coming Thursday (Dec 16th) will be the last chance to make someone's Christmas a little better.  You can also drop off your gifts to Nancy at Diversified Capital at 30 Whitney St. (650) 917-6688
• BAIDRA MURPHY emphasized the need for pajamas for CSA, and that the Carters Store in the San Antonio Shopping Center has great prices, so you can pick up several pair to donate. Then she mentioned that the Red Badge meeting will be held tonight (was held last Thursday).  Incidentally, see our website for all club committee meetings that are scheduled. 
• PP DICK BLANDING brought to our attention the wonderful train layout currently at the History Museum.  I saw it last year, and will definitely see it again after Christmas with my grandchildren.  Thanks Dick.

Email From ALART LIGTENBERG:

Hi Matt, As we discussed at LARC yesterday I am forwarding you Sasha Cramer's winter newsletter from Haiti, reporting on the inspirational and untiring work of Sasha and her SOIL (Sustainable Organic Integrated Livelihoods) team in devastated Haiti. Sasha has spoken at LARC several times.

We are partnering with Palo Alto Rotary in a current Matching Grant project on sanitation, health, human waste composting, agriculture, plus a “Looking Through Their Eyes” photo empowerment project (where kids take pictures of bad and good things in Haiti and then discuss how to solve the bad problems).

To view the forwarded e-mail in a browser click on: http://hosted.verticalresponse.com/793713/ea3a9f4179/1470889033/7fc1edfc9f/

Sasha also requested me to see if Rotary would be interested to support SOIL?s 2011 Calendar fundraising drive.

The calendars are featuring the best photos from the “Looking Through Their Eyes” photo empowerment project.

Details in: http://www.oursoil.org/content/soils-2011-calendar-out

To get things going I ordered/paid for 20 calendars, 15 $ each, and hope to find Rotarians to relief me of some of the calendars.

Proceeds from calendar sales will directly benefit SOIL's ongoing relief work.

SOIL website: http://www.oursoil.org/

                                           Best, Allart Allart Ligtenberg aligtenber@aol.com 650.948.8294

ALLAN VARNI - 10 MINUTE TALK
This is one of the problems of trying to get a sense of what went on by reading the Rotator if you didn't make the meeting.  I certainly wasn'table to capture the fun and joy we all had with Kendra's song.  And I doubt I can capture the essence of a person, by noting several things about him from a ten minute speech.  You don't come close to 'knowing' someone from a ten minute autobiographical presentation.  But here goes:

Allan is an Education Coordinator for UCSD.  He was born in San Francisco, moved to Belmont when he was 8.  Father was part owner of DiSalvo trucking, was driving 18 wheelers at 17 (albeit in the DiSalvo parking lot);married his high school sweetheart after wooing her on his motorcycle; never wanted to go to college, but future father-in-law insisted; became a teacher but was laid off every year for the first eight years of their marriage. 
Oh, there was something there about the Village of Varni, Italy, where Allan’s family was rooted (Before his time).  See, I told you, you should have been there.

IT’S A FINE LIFE - KURT HUEG's emphasis was the Season of Giving, and give people did.  Most of Kurt's givers were volunteers.  There were 15 to my count, several President Clubs and lots and lots of $20ers.  PP BOB ADAMS broke with tradition with $10, but then he is a member of the President's Club already. 

SPEAKER OF THE DAY - GEORGE ESTILL introduced Lawson Sakai to our club.  

Mr. Sakai  was a member of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team of the United States Army.  He spoke to us about how and why he got involved in the 442nd Infantry.  If you want to learn more about the service of the 442nd, I suggest the internet.  Specifically this article in Wikipedia.  There are over 30,000 references to the group, so have at it. 

But having Mr. Sakai talk to us gave us a unique window into the men of the 442nd.  I think most of us have heard of the 442nd, their bravery and some accomplishments, but never had a face placed on it.  Sakai said that on the day that the Japanese attacked the US at Pearl Harbor, he said to his parents:  "Your country has attacked my country." 

He also said that the same day, Dec 7th, 1941 the FBI came knocking on their door; a frightening experience.  All Japanese-Americans were classified as 4c "enemy aliens.", which meant that they could not be drafted.   In February,'42, President Roosevelt signed Executive order 9066 which in effect, classified California, Oregon and Washington as a war zone, putting the Japanese-American population under curfew from sunset to sunrise, and gave way to the relocation camps throughout the US for Japanese-Americans.
 
Eventually, (and you will have to get the history elsewhere - as I was so fascinated in the talk that I quit taking notes for awhile) the 442nd was established to group the Japanese-American volunteers.  These were the first generation sons (called nisei from the Japanese word for 1 or 1st) of Japanese immigrants.  Originally there was tremendous resentment from these young men held in the camps.  Why should they volunteer?  "Let us out.  Let us go home, then, we will volunteer." was the initial attitude.  Eventually they saw it as a way to prove their patriotism, and to free their parents.
And prove it they did.  The 442nd is the most decorated unit it US history.  The unit was comprised of about 20,000 soldiers, 10,000 initially and 10,000 replacements.  There were 9,486 Purple Hearts, 21 Medal of Honors, 52 Distinguished Service Crosses, 1 Distinguished Service Medal, 560 Silver Stars, 22 Legion of Merit Medals, 15 Soldier's Medals, 4,000 Bronze Stars.

There is so much history here, it really is a disservice to write about it in such minor detail.  I urge you to look at other sites for better accounts.  Start with the Wikipedia article and branch out from there.  There are a number of books and films about this great history.  We certainly thank Mr. Sakai for his service and sharing his story with us.  At the end of his presentation, he was honored with a standing ovation. 

THIS THURSDAY'S PROGRAM:
The Los Altos High School Main Street Singers is the longest running High School choral group in the Mountain View – Los Altos High School District. Since its inception in 1984, Main Street Singers has been committed to excellence, and this dedication can be seen and heard in every performance and recording.

Main Street Singers comprises 34 voices auditioned from the many members of the Department of Music's choral ensembles including: Concert Choir, Girls 21, Girls Ensemble, Chorale, Varsity Men’s Glee, and Girl’s Glee. These young adults are from diverse backgrounds, yet they all have music as their common passion.