JUN 12, 2012 ROTARY IN REVIEW:
MG Richard Nash
He called attention to the Wall Street Journal report that showed our local firm Mairs and Powers number 2 nationally in successful investment managers for small cap funds and multi cap funds. Sue Cammack and Alan Ruvelson greeted guests with warm decorum. Jerry Faletti led members and guests in singing God Bless America “acapulco” as is said when no piano is present to help carry the tune. Steve Nyhus gave the invocation focusing our thoughts on that which deserves importance in our lives. Jon Cieslak introduced guests.
Shelly Rucks reminded all to come to Joe Kovarik’s installation as District Governor next week on June 19th at the History Center, program to begin at 5 pm. Joe wants all to attend with a demonstration of their “investment” in Rotary – accomplished by wearing a “vest” of their sartorial choice.
Dion Powers spoke of the need for 5 families to host participants in the youth exchange program over the weekend of June 23 and 24.
Doug Hartford introduced new member Rusty Seltz, the Vice President for Advancement at Concordia University. Rusty comes from Valpariso but has lived in St Paul with a good posting to Denmark where he met and married his wife. Welcome Rusty!
Past President Carolyn Brusseau, a member of the first class of women to join Rotary, was given a Paul Harris Fellow presentation by Jerry Faletti, with special support from President Doug Bruce, whom she had introduced into the Club. Carolyn said it was wonderful to be a Rotarian and to support projects around the world through Rotary International Foundation which have such range, depth, and quality. Carolyn then contributed Happy Dollars for Doug having demonstrated such wonderful leadership during the past Rotary year.
Chuck Roach brought comfort butter for the bikers of last week’s fellowship outing and Claude Hone moved us all with a testimony in song to his late wife.
President Doug pointed out that we are still a few thousand short of our Foundation goals for this year and now was the time to give generously.
Jim Kosmo introduced Maj. Gen. Richard Nash, State Adjutant General, and former commander of the Red Bull Division. MG Nash had commanded Red Bull National Guard deployments to Bosnia and Iraq. In the latter assignment, the Red Bull unit of 1,200 Minnesota citizen soldiers provided command and control for 16,000 US Forces deployed in 9 of Iraq’s 18 provinces.
MG Nash brought members and guests up to date on the contributions of our National Guard – 14,000 airmen and soldiers. He noted first that St Paul is important to our National Guard, which spends $110 million per year in the city. The 334th Aviation Brigade is based in St Paul and the 133 Air Lift wing is close by at the MSP airport. The armony on Cedar Street is being renovated. On May 17th St Paul was named by Governor Dayton as a Yellow Ribbon City for its support of returning veterans. The Mancini family with friends have provided some 77,000 steaks since 2004, with 13,200 Mancini steaks sent to guard members serving in Kuwait assisting the drawdown of US Forces from Iraq.
The Guard has 63 armories across the state. MG Nash reminded all that since 9/11 the National Guard has deployed thousands. F-16’s from Duluth were on air patrol over the US right after the attacks that day. Army Guard units provided security for airports. Guard units served in the Balkans as stabilizers of the peace. They served in Iraq and Afghanistan. From 2003 some 8,000 Minnesotan citizen soldiers served in Iraq with 16 killed in action and 79 receiving Purple Hearts. A regimental combat team from the Red Bull Division was part of the 2006 surge deployment in Iraq and served away from home for 22 months. The 133rd Air Wing with its C-130’s has served numerous deployments.
In addition, our Guard units support the state government and local authorities in emergencies due to tornadoes, floods, blizzards, and fires. MG Nash affirmed that he never worries whether or not Minnesotan’s in the National Guard will complete their missions – they will. They are well-equipped and well led.
But he concluded help is needed for our returning veterans. Finding employment is a challenge. He expects that as many as 28% of soon to return veterans expect to be unemployed. To help Target, Best Buy, US Bank – Yellow Ribbon companies - and state counselors from MNSCU went overseas to provide training on interviewing skills and resume writing.
Veterans he said have the skills employers are looking for: trainable, self-confident, education, proven, mature, with an international perspective, accepting auth
ority, can be led and can lead.
They are “money in the bank” if you want to get a job done MG Nash concluded. He asked for help in getting the word out to prospective employers. The website to contact is positivelymn.com.
Steve Young, Scribe