Thank you to Greg Anstrom and Bill Sweeney for their Veterans Day Program, and thank you to all of those who have served our country so bravely.
In addition to recognizing each person for their service in the American Armed Forces, Greg and Bill gave an overview of the recently declassified Operation:Downfall, and what it would have meant for American troops had the atomic bombs not been dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945. Operation:Downfall was to have a been a strictly American operation that aimed at the heart of the Japanese empire. It would have seen troop involvement from the entire Marine Corps, the entire Pacific campaign. Navy, the 7th, 8th and 10th Army Air Force and the American Far Eastern Air Force. Casualties were expected to be heavy. Meanwhile, Japan was quietly working on underground hangars, sea plane bases and suicide takeoff air strips as part of their One Hundred Million Will Die for the Empire and Nation Campaign. However, in early August, President Harry Truman gave the verbal go-ahead to drop the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, with the empire surrendering just a few days later.
The Rotary Foundation is holding a drive during the month of November. As part of a district-wide contest, for every $20 that a Rotarian donates, his or her name will be entered into a drawing for a Paul Harris Fellowship. Jay distributed the envelopes at the Nov. 17 meeting. Please return them with your donation by the end of the month.
The Rotary Clubs of Austintown, Boardman, Canfield, Poland, Struthers and Youngstown invite you to a special holiday luncheon on Thursday, Dec. 10, featuring keynote speaker Jennifer Jones, Rotary International Director. The Luncheon will be held at the Holiday Inn Boardman, 7140 South Ave., Boardman, 44512. A meet and greet will begin at 11:30 a.m. with a luncheon to follow at noon. The cost is $15 per person.
For more information, contact Assistant Governor Scott Schulick, 330-727-8507, srschulick@gmail.com, or Shannon Tirone, 330-720-2056, stirone@ysu.edu.
Shawn Golden announced that participating clubs in District 6650 raised nearly $67,000 for Operation Warm, far exceeding the goal of $50,000. The Boardman Rotary Club raised an additional $500 during the Oktoberfestival to go toward hats and gloves for Boardman students. The coat distribution will be held at the Salvation Army on Saturday, Dec. 5, 2015, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Reserve your space for the annual Boardman Rotary Christmas Party on Friday, Dec. 4, 2015, at Michael Alberini's. The cost is $25 per person plus a cash bar. The night will include raffles, entertainment, Steve Fazzini, mystery, intrigue and much, MUCH more!
