Lexington Spoke - April 2, 2012

On a cool April day twenty‐eight Rotarians and one guest ascended to the 2nd floor of Waxy O'Connor's

for a lunch of spaghetti with sauce and meatballs (Irish restaurant ? right), salad and as always, cookies.

President Murry rang us in with the pledge led by PP Don S, Charlie V starting out the first verse

of America (Author's note, in my personal opinion, we are a bad choir group), and PDG Jack with

the invocation. A few tables were fined for no guests.

PDG Jack & PP Dave E for the outstanding club social that was held last week contributed happy

dollars. This was an excellent event, well attended by Rotarians, former Rotarians, friends, and

potential Rotarians. PP Dave E kicked in additional dollars for the event too, as did Sec Dave for

missing the event. Other happy dollars came from PP Dan B for his daughter Jenna becoming

gainfully employed at the Winchester Hospital, and PP Nick gave $10.00 because it was burning

a hole in his pocket. PP Dave E did get whacked for a few bucks for speaking out of turn.

Arlex Oil Company, Lexington Ace Hardware, Connie Neville, Charlie Vail and Walpole Co‐op

Bank donated raffle gifts. If you have some raffle gifts, please bring them in, PP/SAA John is

running low.

PDG Jack, Bob C, TR Donna, PP Dan O, and PP Don M picked up the swag this week with the

winning tickets.

Our guest speaker for the day was Rick Beyer. Rick, author of the book, "The Greatest Stories

Never Told", gave an excellent presentation on the Army's World War ll 23rd HQ Special Troop,

or also known as the "Ghost Army". This unit was assigned to deceive the Germans into thinking

that they were another attachment of an armored division. Using five different avenues were

they able to pull off these feats:

• Deception: 1000 men impersonated other units in the Army. They would change over

their patches, dress as higher‐ranking commanding officers, whatever it to fool the

Germans.

• Visual: The unit had inflatable full tanks. When fully inflated they were movable by 4

men into the position they were needed. The unit also used bulldozers to make the tank

tracks, for the perfect effect.

• Sonic: Over loud speaker systems they would play the sounds of tanks moving around in

the area at night, as if setting up a protection line of these tanks to ward off the Germans.

• Radio: Using the two way radios the unit would make phony radio contacts and

Communications to steer off the enemy as well.

• Special Effects: The 23rd HQ Special Troop was made up of many artists and designers.

They would create whatever graphics, scenes or artwork were needed to transform them

into someone or something they were not. Aside from doing the task at hand, these men

also took the time to draw and paint the areas that they were surrounded by. Whether it

was a bombed out building, a street, or people passing by, these men put in down on

paper in the form of art, showing through their hearts what they were witnessing. Rick

has published a book, "Artists of deception, The Ghost Army of World War ll" with over

200 images drawn or painted from this unit. After nearly seven years of work and more

than 20 interviews with the surviving solders, Rick has almost completed a documentary

film on the Ghost Army. Additional information can be found at www.ghostarmy.org.

April 9th: Joint Meeting with Concord at Waxy's

April 16th: Patriots’ Day, assignments have been sent out. Please contact Steve K if you have any

questions

May18: Comedy Night, PP Bob S is still looking for ads for the program book. You have till April15th to get them to him.

50/50 was won by Sec Dave for $80.00