Many thanks to our own Don Hunter for arranging Wednesday’s speaker. Lieutenant General Rhett Hernandez, former Commander of the U.S. Army Cyber Command, West Point graduate, and native son of Palmerton, PA, engaged all present with his account of growing up in a single mother family in small town Palmerton. He told of carrying the values learned at home and his community to West Point, where he played basketball (after being recruited by legendary coach Bob Knight) and then stayed on for a successful thirty-nine year career in the army, rising to three star rank. After years in Germany, Saudi Arabia and elsewhere around the world, he was chosen to head up the strategically important task of fighting the ‘cyber’ wars in protecting the security interests of the United States against potential enemies and malevolent hackers. General Hernandez was joined by his wife Pat and credited her with supporting him in multiple ways on their incredible journey. After Rotary, they were off to see Army play Lafayette in basketball at the Kirby Center in Easton (Army won, by the way).
General Hernandez has lived an extraordinary American life and clearly embodies many of the values that Rotarians cherish. We were honored by his presence.
Other News
We don’t have the ‘poundage’ yet, but based on a glance at the table near the registration desk, several Rotarians donated food to help “Rotary Relieve Hunger.” We’ll be collecting food, dry goods and other nonperishables again on the 10th. A note of clarification: the foodstuffs and other products will be donated to the New Bethany Ministries Food Pantry. I mistakenly identified another recipient at Wednesday’s meeting. We’re planning on making the donation on or near Valentine’s Day.
Buck Jones announced that our Fun and Fellowship event at Revolutions Bowling Center on February 18th is approaching fast. We have several Rotarians and spouses already signed up, and there is room for several more. Please come out and join us for an evening of bowling, food and an overall good time. Thanks to Buck for his leadership in putting this event together.
We will continue to solicit volunteers for the Cops and Kids Celebration of Reading Day on Saturday, April 23rd. We are looking for Rotarians willing to staff a table at the event and distribute books to the children who attend. It would be a one hour commitment. We have already received some books for the children. Thanks to all who have volunteered or donated so far.
Our next meeting on February 10th will be our annual Foundation meeting. George Mowrer will lead the discussion about the importance of the Bethlehem Rotary Foundation’s good works and opportunities for all of us to contribute.
Until then, continue to be a gift to the community.
Actress Sharon Stone joined experts from around the world at the Rotary World Peace Conference in California, USA. The two-day event was the first of five presidential conferences this year that will highlight Rotary’s commitment to promoting peace, fighting disease, providing clean water, supporting education, and growing local economies. Read more about the peace conference and plan to attend one of the remaining four.
)