Lexington Spoke

On a crisp, sunny autumn equinox Monday, Pres. Dave welcomed 30 Lexington Rotarians, 2 visiting Rotarians, and 2 guests.  Tasty fare included prime rib, mushroom sauce, mashed potatoes and green beans.  Appetites, however, were not Ravenous following the Patriots’ last minute loss around midnight.

Steve M. led the Pledge, yours truly the first verse of America, no wonder it sounded so good!  Bob C. gave as short an invocation as possible, choosing not to use his Lexington Ace shovel, and, instead, donated it as a Raffle gift.  Warmed up and in a zone, we sounded like birds in the trees with the Welcome Song, Charlie V. as maestro.  Julianne D. was a bit late, but she looked a lot better than PP Bob S., who was even later and in disguise, although some questioned a disguise at all.

Happy Dollars included PP Doug H. for 16 days in Switzerland as he took Swiss 101 pass/fail; PP Spencer B. for a 5th anniversary to Block Island, “baby-free.”  Hot air drifted in from the Lexington 300th Anniversary celebration opening events Saturday at Hastings Park, where the Club passed out 500 helium balloons and 200 bottles of water while “running out of gas.”  It was hard to believe that any of that contingent of Club members could ever run out of gas, except maybe Arlex Oil, or unless it was a matter of professional courtesy.  Pres. Dave said, all told, a great Rotary and community event, much good will derived.

PP Nick C. asked PP Dan O. in front of him to stand up, to emphasize that even when PP Dan O. was sitting, we still couldn’t see PP Nick, who was standing.  When he got up, PP Dan O. offered instead of a fine to give PP Nick “pituitary growth hormones.”  For the next meeting we will have him tested at Gillette Stadium.  Not to be outdone, Bob C., post-invocation, was fined for playing video games on his cell phone.

Raffle Gifts:  Lexington Ace Hardware, TD Bank, Vail Studios, Lexington Alarm.

Announcements:  September 26th is the District Membership and Foundation Forum, see Pres. Dave for info.  November 3rd 8:30 am all-member event, Veterans’ Breakfast at St. Brigid’s Church, details to follow.  The Club sent remembrances in honor of the passing of Priscilla Eagle’s mother, Ruth Caie, who lived a remarkable 103 years.

Julianne D. introduced our speaker, Ryan P. Lennon, who is the Town of Lexington’s first full-time Veterans’ Service Officer.  Ryan started six months ago; grew up in Groton, and obtained a degree in Comparative Economics from Northeastern.  He then joined the U.S. Army in 2004, 82nd Airborn Division, Special Operations and as a Lieutenant served in Iraq for 16 months as an Infantry Platoon Leader.  He completed a four-year tour including a medical discharge, and his injury prevented him from continuing on in Special Forces.  His wife Adrian and he have a 10-month-old baby and live in Newburyport.

Since becoming VSO, Ryan has increased the Chapter 115 veterans’ benefit cases for Lexington veterans by 50%.  His duties also include VA claims for medical benefits, and he is receiving 100 calls/month ─ as many as 20/day.  He spoke enthusiastically and with conviction for this important work.  It was a pleasure and privilege to hear about this young man’s distinguished service, dedication and community values, and what he has accomplished as VSO already.



Steve M. was found in rarefied air as he scooped the 50/50 ($80) for a second time in a month as a new member. Rotary membership brings Beginners’ Luck: Pass it on.  

Cheers 
PP Ed G.