Posted by Editor: FDBobko
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The FOGHORN 
ROTARY CLUB OF HALF MOON BAY
November 11, 2021 - Veterans Day
          
Patrick Hall
Veteran and President of the Rotary Club of Pacifica
  
Article by Susan Kealey      
Photos by Dianne Bobko
 

“The History of Veterans Day and What it Means to Me” — Patrick Hall is the current President of the Pacifica Club, he is also Past President of that club, 2004. Patrick was an Air Force pilot during the Viet Nam war and is an attorney. 

In 1919 Armistice Day was established the 11th hour on the 11th day in the 11th month, it was a State and Federal holiday. It was changed to Veterans Day in 1954. In 1968 it was changed to the 4th Monday in November. President Ford changed it back to November 11. France, Britain and Canada have similar holidays. 

Regarding the significance of the red poppies, The Flower of Remembrance:  “In Flanders Fields” was the poem written by World War I Colonel John McCrae, a surgeon with Canada's First Brigade Artillery. It expressed McCrae's grief over the "row on row" of graves of soldiers who had died on Flanders' battlefields, located in a region of western Belgium and northern France. The poem presented a striking image of the bright red flowers blooming among the rows of white crosses and became a rallying cry to all who fought in the First World War. 

Patrick graduated from Santa Clara where ROTC was mandatory. Upon graduation, he volunteered for the Air Force and went in as a Second Lieutenant in 1969. Prior to joining up, he had an epiphany while at a concert—realizing that his friend was engaged in battle at that time. As a result, he volunteered for pilot training, a one year course which included a four commitment. He considered making a career out of the military and remained in for six years. He flew refueling planes and did three 90 day tours in Southeast Asia. He also flew DC3s to carry intel officers for a year in Viet Nam. He met his wife, Marilyn, when he got back—she is from Belgium. Patrick is proud that our country reconciles with former enemies. 

Patrick’s Rotary story starts in 1995 when Marilyn was finishing her first year as President of the Pacifica Club. They attended the Rotary International Convention in Nice, France. Marilyn, who speaks French, was thanked by a woman on the street for our Veterans’ help during WWII. The Halls have hosted exchange students from Albania and Germany as well as Muslim students. On a trip to Germany for a Rotary  conference, they were able to visit with the family of one of their exchange students. 

Final thought—perhaps we should change the name back to Armistice Day to focus on peace. Patrick appreciates that peace is a priority for Rotary.

Q and A

Why did you leave the Air Force?    -   He couldn’t get past the rules, like the length of one’s mustache. He and a fellow officer had to do an emergency landing at another base, they couldn’t make it to their own base due to a mechanical problem. While checking in with he base commander, the other officer got a lecture about his mustache. The nonsense was off-putting. Also, while airborne, there’s nothing to do. It’s like driving a bus. 

Did you fly off carriers?  -  No, that’s for Navy pilots. Apparently Navy Pilots and Air Force pilots have a rivalry about who has the most difficult land challenge. Ships face into a headwind leaving the pilot with no crosswinds to contend with. On land, there’s 10,000 feet of runway. 

Where were you stationed?  -  On the coast during 1971-72, then he was stationed in Da Nang. Da Nang was interesting, the weather and conditions were difficult. He was flying above the fray doing intelligence work, one of the safest jobs in the war. 

Patrick was warmly thanked for his service and for sharing his experience with us. He was given a certificate acknowledging our donation to Polio Plus in his name. He headed off to a dedication for a memorial to Pacificans who served in Viet Nam. 

 
Club Meeting - November 11, 2021
 
Past President Mary filled in for President Joe this week.  
 
Pledge of Allegiance - In keeping with the Veterans Day theme, Mary started things off by asking Veteran John to lead us in the Pledge.
    
                   
Inspirational Thought - Mary provided our inspiration by sharing a picture of her Mom and identical twin sister Aunt in their Navy uniforms and thanking all veterans. Mary’s mom is 97. 
 
Later in the meeting there was additional focus on Veterans Day.  

John wanted to acknowledge Past President Greg Miller. Greg served in Viet Nam at the same time as John. Greg was a gunner in a helicopter. Agent Orange eventually killed him. Greg connected us with the IDES. RIP Greg.  John served here in California as part of the war effort. Greg and John and their families were very close friends. 

 

  

Warren apologized for being late. Warren was scheduled to provide our inspiration today. He consulted Irwin, and Irwin had his brother-in-law, Joel Wolfberg, call with a Veterans Day quote. Joel said he was proud to serve. He did go back to Vietnam to do service projects. That was the best healing for him. Joel is also dealing with the effects of Agent Orange. 

Announcements
 
Rose reminded us of our Adopt a Family opportunity. An email was sent. Renee and Linda have volunteered to shop again. Donations can be made through our Square account—there is a link on our website. You can also send a check to our post office box—P.O. Box 31, Half Moon Bay, make it payable to the HMB Rotary Foundation. Get your in ASAP. We will be adopting some Seniors again. If there are sufficient funds, we will also buy toys for Coastside Hope. 

ALAS needs volunteers and donations for their Thanksgiving Dinner event. Rose will send us an email with the details. 

Mary reminded us that next week is our delivery week for Coastside Hope, she could use some help. 

Dianne announced that the Foundation Investment Committee will meet next Tuesday to review our investments. A year end report will be prepared to be included with President Joe’s annual report. 

Mary announced that the Past Presidents will meet Tuesday evening to select the next President, after Krystlyn, email to follow with log in instructions. 

 Happy/Crappy News yescrying
 
Mary commented that the social last week was nice and hopes we will have more. Fifteen people showed up, including new member Joaquin. 
 
Warren led a discussion about events—some of the items included:
•The joint meeting with the Pacifica and Millbrae clubs, volunteers are needed to assist with the planning. Warren took a poll and those in attendance preferred an indoors event on February 14, a dinner…see Warren if you’d like to help with this event. Some people were talking red food for this event, PLEASE help!  
•Our 50th Anniversary event. Again planners needed.
 
Pres. Joe's Weekly 'States of the Union Quiz - ​​​​​​​New York
 
It is the 27th largest state geographically, the fourth most populous, NYC has 8.8 million people making it the most populous city. New York became a state in 1788 and the common snapping turtle is the state reptile. 
 
Stacy found New York and Broadway memorable, a great experience. 
 
Rosie visited NYC and took a Circle Line Tour and saw a Broadway play “Come From Away”—a shout out to Bay World Travel and Ginger for making the arrangements for a great trip. 
 
Dianne got engaged in New York ❤️. Bo is from New York, daughter went to college there, son lives there; so it is part of their life. Dianne’s favorite things—the food, the general air/feel and Broadway. 
 
Mary fell in love with New York when her son was in school there. While she was working in Boston, she was able to take the train to visit. Her son lived in Harlem. While standing in a Broadway theater bathroom line, she met someone from the Bay Area—small world. 
 
Dianne had one more NYC adventure to share—when they became engaged, she flew in on Christmas Day, pre cell phones, during a storm…Bo’s parents had made a couple of trips to the airport to pick her up, but her plane had been delayed. Since they were’t the at the airport, our plucky adventuress decided to take a cab. Unfortunately all the cabbies were from Brooklyn, and she couldn’t understand them with their thick accents. Compare to today with cabbies from all over the world and cell phones. 
 
Coming Events

The December 16 Christmas meeting and District Governor visit will be at the Oddfellows Hall. 

Marble DrawEd won the marble draw; alas he pulled a green one. coolsadwink