Pre-meeting chat began on the Zoom platform with lively discussion amongst members and guests.  Some attendees showed red, white and blue backgrounds displaying their respect for our veterans and our grand old flag on this Veteran’s day meeting date.

Lori Walters began our meeting at 12:27. She reviewed Zoom etiquette and reminded everyone to use the Chat feature to make note of their attendance.  Our President Joann Pierson officially called our meeting to order at 12:30pm with an invitation to sing along as our talented in-house pianist, Tom Strode, played the National Anthem, our Patriotic Song.

We were inspired by a prayer led by Amy Ruhf, a Chaplain with the U.S. Navy and a Pastor at the First Presbyterian Church of Ann Arbor, who humbled us to give thanks for the service and sacrifice made by our veterans to defend the liberties and values on which our nation was founded.  She invited us to pray for peaceful resolution of conflict and to offer community to those who are suffering from isolation during this pandemic.

We were then treated to an outstanding line-up of performances of Anthems of the Armed Forces by our superbly talented local Rotarians.   From the stage of Kerrytown Concert House, patriotic songs representing each branch of our armed services were sung by Richard Ingram “Anchors Away,” Joe Diedrich “Air Force,” Deanna Relyea “Army Song,” Kathy Waugh “Coastguard song,” Steve Pierce “Marine Hymn”, accompanied by our talented pianist, Tom Strode.    You can replay this clip by clicking the link:  CLICK ON LINK HERE

President Joanne welcomed all attendees and thanked those who served at the meeting, including John White and Lori Walters who managed set up, Lauren Heinonen who managed attendance, and Fred Beutler who took photos/video, and Marlena Studer who served as Reporter.  She thanked the Social Committee for organizing a successful gathering at Gallup Park to celebrate our Club’s wonderful playground project.

We were reminded of the upcoming BIRTHDAYS of Club members and acknowledged esteemed Guests.

We were then treated to a “Salute to Veterans” video presentation prepared Don Deatrick. Joe Diederich and Shelley MacMillan read the names of members of our club who have served in U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Marines, U.S. Navy, and U.S. Public Health Service.  If you would like to enjoy a rendition, please click the following link: CLICK ON LINK HERE

Humbling us with an inspiring reflection on the sacrifice made by veterans who served in June of 1944, Joe Diederich shared “The Boy on the Omaha Beach,” which can by seen if you click on the following link: https://pinearts.smugmug.com/The-Boy-on-the-Beach-Omaha-Beach-2014/i-vPVMh5F/A

Don Deatrick introduced today’s speaker, Col. (Dr.) Kevin Bohnsack, State Air Surgeon for the Michigan Air National Guard.  After attending Albion College, Dr. Bohnsack completed medical training at Northwestern University and family medicine residency in his hometown of Marquette. After 10 years of active duty service around the globe including deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq, he returned to Michigan where he is a family physician with IHA Milan Primary Care.  He also serves as medical director for the Southeast Michigan Clinically Integrated Network with Trinity Health Michigan.  As the State Air Surgeon for the Michigan Air National Guard, Joint Force Headquarters, Col. Bohnsack oversees the medical qualifications, accessions and fitness for duty determinations of over 2,200 personnel statewide.

Col. Bohnsack’s presentation was entitled, “COVID-19’s impact on Michigan and the Michigan National Guard.”  He spoke to us via Zoom from his office in Milan, where he was masked and in uniform, reminding us to protect ourselves and others by wearing masks and washing our hands regularly.  With informative Power-point slides, Col. Bohnsack gave us a visual overview of our national and state military assets in the Active Duty (Army, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard), Reserves and National Guard.  It was interesting to learn that the Michigan National Guard falls under the Executive branch of government and reports directly to Governor Whitmer.  Through sharing photos and stories, Col. Bohnsack demonstrated that the Michigan National Guard has played a critical role during the pandemic by organizing COVID-19 testing, managing packing and distribution from food banks, mobilizing warehousing of medical supplies/equipment and setting up alternative care facilities.  The National Guard has also provided essential support to Michigan Veteran Homes where many Veterans have felt isolated during this COVID-19 crisis.  To close, Col. Bohnsack shared several lessons in leadership with us, reminding us to “Seek first to understand, Then to be understood,” and that we will benefit most by collaborating and remembering that we’re all in this together.

President Joanne closed with a quote by Elmer Davis, “This will remain the land of the FREE as long as it is the home of the BRAVE.”

Our meeting was closed at 1:30pm