The February 28, 2024 meeting opened on Zoom (33 members on zoom) and in person at the University of Michigan’s Anderson Room.  Zoom etiquette was provided by Sara Maddock .

At 12:29, President Elect Joyce Hunter called the meeting to order in President Foster’s absence.  Tom Strode led us in “The Star-Spangled Banner”. 

Inspiration was provided by Carolyn Hiatt who used Rotary rule 4 – Will it be beneficial to all concerned?” She referenced this rule by showing how she is using more sustainable practices including utilizing sustainable dish cloths/towel.  She said the EAG has made it fun to learn new things and appreciates their efforts on sustainability. Don Devine led us in song with “I’ve Been Working on the Railroad ” followed by “Let Me Call You Sweetheart”.

President Elect Hunter welcomed guests and visiting Rotarians including Greg Stejskal’s wife Pat. Leo Shedden introduced Bob & Nancy Harrington. There was a guest from the Rotary Club of Detroit. Ken Fischer introduced a guest. John White introduced his daughter, Jen Doom. Linda Kentes also introduced another guest from the International House of Ann Arbor. David Ufer was introduced by Rob Shiff. Don Duquette introduced Karie Slavik who is Associate Director of the U-M Biological Station. Volunteers for today’s meeting were recognized along with birthdays for the week.  

There was a remembrance of Jim Miller who passed away recently provided by John White and Roy More. Jim was an Eagle Scout, Navy veteran, was a Paul Harris Fellow multiple times, and a trustee of the RCAA endowment. He was sponsored for Rotary in 1986 by Jack Hollowell & Wilbur Pierpont. He had an ever present smile and was a good friend to all. Roy More shared Jim’s accomplishments with the local Boy Scout Council where Roy served with him. Jim loved life, community and family and these values were exemplified with how he lived his life.

Todd Kephart shared information about the upcoming Rotary Fights Child Hunger campaign. RCAA is partnering with Food Gatherers to fight hunger where we live and this is our 20th year participating in this program which runs March 4-15. Food donations will be collected at local businesses. Monetary donations of $25 or more will be matched by a local donor. Todd has served as chair of these efforts for 15 years and welcomes anyone who would like to join the committee and/or take over as chair. Thanks, Todd, for your service!

Next up were announcements. President Elect Hunter said that the EAG announced that this is the last week for pick-ups for recycled items. She also asked RCAA Committee Chairs to submit budget requests for next year as soon as possible. 

Dan Romanchik introduced today’s speaker, Greg Stejskal, RCAA’s very own G-man. Greg was born in Omaha, Nebraska, played football at the University of Nebraska, and obtained his JD from the UNL College of Law in 1974. Greg joined the FBI in 1975, was assigned to the Detroit division, and has lived here ever since. He retired in 2006. After retiring from the FBI, Greg turned his talents to storytelling. He has written for Tickle the Wire, a federal law enforcement blog and the Ann Arbor Observer. He has also appeared on many podcasts and NPR shows and has spoken to many groups about his experiences with the FBI. He is also the author of the book “FBI Case Files of Michigan: Tales of a G-Man”. Greg is, of course, a very active member of our club. He joined us in 2006 and served as president in 2018-2019. He has served on the GPO committee, Rotary Fights Hunger, and was on the board for two terms. Greg’s wife, Pat, is a retired kindergarten teacher, and they have two adult children—Taryn and Andy—both graduates of the University of Michigan.

Greg started his presentation by mentioning that the militia movement started in Michigan. He had a number of encounters during his career with Mark Koernke. Koernke, a militia activist was known as “Mark from Michigan” on his short wave radio broadcast which had a national following. Koernke was arrested north of Kalamazoo and charged with assault with a deadly weapon. Stejskal was called since there was a federal warrant out for Koernke. When Stejskal arrived, Koernke was claiming to be Mark Kern and denied being Koernke, but Stejskal asked him to sign a form and Koernke used his real name. Koernke’s extremist views involved believing that a cabal is going to replace white anglos with non-whites to take over society and an undercurrent of anti-semitic rhetoric. 

The Oklahoma City bombing occurred as a result of these militia views. There was another Michigan connection to the militia activities with James Nichols from Decker, Michigan who was listening to Koernke’s broadcasts. Timothy McVeigh was an acolyte of this philosophy. McVeigh didn’t join the Michigan militia but joined the KKK.  Stejskal was involved in the investigation at the Nichols’ farm in Decker as the rental vehicle used in the bombing had the Decker address which is how the FBI was able to track down the perpetrators. The FBI didn’t yet know who all was involved in the bombing until they searched the farm and found evidence. This search occurred 2 days after the bombing – a quick turnaround.

A book which is commonly referenced in militia movements is “The Turner Diaries” by Andrew MacDonald (pen name – William Luther Pierce). It’s racist in nature and talks about starting a race war by blowing up FBI headquarters in DC. This book was found with McVeigh when he was arrested. 

Stejskal showed a picture of the Michigan militia outside of Whitmer’s office protesting mask mandates during COVID-19. This group is known as the Wolverine Watchmen – a subgroup of Michigan militia that possessed a map of Whitmer’s summer home. They follow the same propaganda that other militia groups follow. The militia movement is similar to libertarianism in the respect that both groups do not want government involvement. The FBI had infiltrated this conspiracy group and Stejskal shared a photo of a militia member taking a picture of Whitmer’s summer home. Many of the conversations were recorded and used during the trial. 

The Confederate flag is a symbol of the militia movement and was used by the Wolverine Watchmen. The Confederate flag was on full display during the Jan 6 insurrection. The leadership of the Oathkeepers and Proud Boys were convicted of seditious conspiracy which means to overthrow the government, So far 1200 people have been charged with various crimes and over 700 have been convicted. The Turner Diaries references the “day of the rope” which means that when they win the race war, they will hang enemies en masse. There was a hangman’s noose on display on Jan 6. References to 1776 is also part of the militia mindset with a “new revolution”. The investigation into the Jan 6 insurrection is the largest investigation that the FBI has ever done. 

Next week’s speaker will be Gregory Dill, Washtenaw County Administrator who will provide an update on the County’s four-year budget.

Quote for the Day: “The Four Way Test” 

Of the things we think, say or do: 1) is it the TRUTH? 2) Is it FAIR to all concerned? 3) Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS, 4) Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

President Elect Hunter adjourned the meeting at 1:30.

Respectfully submitted by,

Jennifer Fike