Blair Rotary Newsletter
"Rotary Shares"
June 23, 2008

 

 

Reminder: attendance should be at least 60%, if you can't make a meeting you can do a make-up on the web at the following address: http://www.rotaryeclub7890.org/makeup.htm

 

Thanks to everyone who was involved with the annual Blair Rotary Golf Tournament which was held Friday, June 20th at the Rivers Wild Golf Course.  A special thanks to those who helped organize the event - Denise Dein, George Hall, Bob Hill and Dave Waite.  A very special thank you goes to Denise Dein who stepped in at the last minute to finalize the event.

We have received a membership application from Anne Steinberg, Administrator at Crowell Home.  Please contact a club officer if you have any reason Anne should not be granted membership.

 

Notes from June 17th - Program Chair - Dave Waite 

 

The program guests for the day were seven crew members from the USS Nebraska, an Ohio class ballistic missile submarine powered by a nuclear reactor.  The group was in Blair as part of a week tour of Nebraska to help build relationships between the sub and the state.  While in Blair the group visited the Ft. Calhoun power plant, Con-E-Co and several other Blair businesses. 

 

Lt. Comdr. Ryan Heilman, executive officer of the sub, address the club and stressed that the USS Nebraska is a deterrence against those who might contemplate doing harm to the US.  The sub acts as the police on the ocean's shipping lanes, protecting commerce and the movement of goods.  Another mission for the sub is to shape the environment by building relationships with foreign partners so that if support or assistance is needed during hostilities the  connection is already built. 

 

The sub works with two crews which rotate operation of the sub.  There is a period of cross-over between missions when both crews work on maintenance of the sub.  The sub is out to sea about 80% of the time. While not at sea a crew will have a period of R & R as well as do a great deal of training and certification.  Due to the reduction in forces most of the crew has to do double duty, serving in multiple positions.  The length of time the sub can be out to sea is limited by the provisions it can carry.  Heilman said that he had been out to sea for a nine month period.  Occasionally the sub will pull into a port to take on fresh provisions.

 

Heilman said the relationship between the sub and state of Nebraska is very important and unique.  It is considered one of the best among subs and sponsor states.  The "Big Red Sub Club" is an example of the relationship between the sub and state. If you would like more information on the organization please go to the following website: http://bigredsubclub.com/

 

Rotary Question of the Week

 

What is Rotary?

 

Rotary Fact of the Week (from the RI or District Website)

Rotary is a volunteer organization with more than 32,000 clubs in over 200 countries and geographical areas.  It initiates humanitarian projects that address today's challenges affective the world today, such as hunger, poverty, and literacy. Rotary club members represent a cross-section of business and professional leaders around the world. These 1.2 million men and women donate their expertise, time, and funds to support local and international projects that help people in need and promote understanding among cultures. Rotary International is the worldwide association of Rotary clubs united under a motto of Service Above Self.

 

Thought of the Week

"If you are out to describe the truth, leave elegance to the tailor." Albert Einstein

 

June Birthdays
Bob Schmoll 20th
Ellen Ryder 24th
Shirley Schmidt 24th

SERVICE Above Self!