The Wheel for December 13, 2018

by Dec 13, 2018The Wheel0 comments

Club Assembly

The Wheel


Club Assembly

Message From The President

Dear Rotarians,

This week we get to meet the airmen and woman who won this quarter’s Wetzel award. Many of us know the name Scotty Wetzel, but we do not know much about him other than the fact the Wetzel awards were named for him. Many thanks to Past President Dave Thorson who provided me with a bio of Scotty so that I could share some of his accomplishments with you.

 

Emery Scott Wetzel Jr., was born in Coronado, CA. His parents were stationed at Rockwell Field on North Island, now Naval Air Station North Island, where his father flew bombers. Scotty grew up as a “military brat” moving often. Scotty was a popular athletic kid with a good sense of humor. He graduated from Colorado Springs High School and attended Sullivan’s Prep School in Washington, DC. Scott entered West Point in 1950. Scotty was best known at the Academy for his help in stealing the Navy goat. After graduating Wet Point in 1954, he chose Air Force. Scotty was selected to be an air training officer for the first class of the Air Force Academy. He was stationed at Lowry AFB, CO, while the USAFA was being built. Scotty met and married Pat Holland. They had three children, the late Elizabeth Warfield, Holly Jones, Merry Judd, and Carol Wetzel.

 

As an Air Force officer, Scotty had multiple duty stations. He also served in the Vietnam War where he flew the F-4 out of Ubon, Thailand. Scotty flew 217 combat missions over Viet Nam with the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star, 16 Air Medals, and the Air Force Commendation Medal. Thereafter he had multiple tours in Europe and the United States including serving as the Wing Commander of the 50th TRW at Hahn AFB, Germany. In his last assignment, in 1983, he was Deputy Chief of Staff for Staff Programs and Resources at Headquarters, Tactical Fighter Weapons Center, Nellis AFB, NV. Scott retired in 1984, after serving 30 years of active duty, and the family remained in Las Vegas. Among his many accomplishments in Las Vegas, Scotty was a dedicated Rotarian who urged the club to support the enlisted airmen and women who serve at Nellis. Although the Wetzel Awards were approved by the Club, Scotty never got to see the award given as he died unexpectedly.

 

We remember Scotty with gratitude for his career of service and suggestion of one of our Club’s signature events.

 

Member Highlights

Scribe – November 29, 2018

Las Vegas Rotary Club Meeting: November 29, 2018 President Jim Kohl called the meeting to order. Jaime Goldsmith gave the invocation. Arlene Sirois led the club in singing My Country Tis of Thee , followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. The Sergeant at Arms was Kim Nyomi.
  • There were (0) International Rotarians, (1) visiting Rotarians and (5) Guests of Rotarians introduced;
  • President Jim encouraged members to share the live stream of our meeting on social media to share our message and our Club with others and asked for a moment of silence on the passing of PP/PDG Don Aiken;
  • President Jim announced a Club service project with Project 150 which helps homeless teens, packing food in December, following the direction of our District Governor John Chase to engage in joint projects;
  • PP Jim Hunt reminded members that volunteers are still needed for Santa Clothes at the Meadows Mall, that each child will be allotted $225 and that 365 kids are signed up to participate in the program (an increase of more than 10x from inception);
  • PP/AG Michael Gordon introduced the Club’s 2nd Peace Scholar, Florence Maher, who shared her experiences and accomplishments to date in Japan, one of the six worldwide peace centers;
  • PP Jim Tucker announced the results of electronic voting (96 votes cast) of Club Board of Directors: Francesca Gilbert, Rosalee Hedrick, Janet Linder, Howie Hopkinson, and Ted McAdams and a ‘thank you’ to Stu Lipoff for his efforts in the electronic process; David Thorson announced 4th Quarter Wetzel Awards had a nice turnout including attendance by Wetzel family members; Marie Walsh announced BWB scheduled for 12/11; Janice Lencke gave a reminder the Holiday Party is 12/6 at Treasure Island; Luci Parodi announced the results of the Canned Food Drive with the LVRC raising $9,159.50 which equates to 101,954 cans; and Michael Williams encouraged participation in the Magical Forest 12/20;
  • The weekly drawing began at $4,033 plus this week’s donations. The Ticket Winner was Francesca Gilbert, who received a prize of $10, and the Lawry’s Bucks Winner was Dave Lister;
  • President Jim Kohl introduced our program speaker, Ryan Wheeler, Sr. Project Manager for the Nevada Dept of Transportation. Mr. Wheeler provided an encouraging and full scope of current and future plans in the Valley, from Project Neon, to the Garnet design-build project, the Brightline High Speed Rail and upcoming I-515 downtown project, as well as work , dependent on financing, including Durango to Kyle Canyon widening of the I-95, I-11 North and the Tropicana Interchange;
  • President Jim presented our speaker with a “Share What You Can” award to benefit a veteran in need and then adjourned the meeting.


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