Some great things happened to San Jose Exchange since our my last
message. We've passed a budget for our project funds, we've inducted or are
about to induct 6 new members. Jerry hall and Jon Renson put together a fantastic
program for the dedication of a Freedom Shrine on 9/11 that included an appearance
by County Supervisor, Pete McHugh. Bonita Gibson and Brenda Biggs sent out press
releases and got Exchange news paper and TV News coverage on Channel 11. We
will show that footage at next week's meeting.
New Volunteers
One of our newest members, Ursula Joosten, volunteered to help Program Chair,
Jerry Hall, and the Captains of the Day prepare a program for every meeting.
In addition, Ursula, through her contacts at the San Jose Athletic Club, obtained
an agreement with KSBX AM 1500 to air our club brochure this Sunday, September
22. It could be any time during the day so tune in and leave the radio playing.
Ursula also indicated we would have a guest speaker from the station at one
of our meetings.
Grant Application
I just filled out a grant proposal for our Mobile Freedom Shrine for submission
to national for a $500 grant for the project. The purpose of the program is
to: "renew in our school children a new appreciation for those great principles
of our foundation and of the sacrifices Americans have made to preserve our
legacy of freedom." The program requires a name. I need some tasty suggestions,
something with "uummmph." something snappy. Any member submitting
the winning name will get 2 free raffle tickets at one of our meetings. I have
to submit the application by October 31, 2002, but I want to have it in long
before then. Please send your suggestions to me at pgriego@mindspring.com
or 408-293-6341.
Orientation Meeting October 8, 2002
All recent inductees are invited to an Orientation meeting October 8, 2002 so
that members can review the goals and history of Exchange and how we can best
assist them in assuming volunteer or leadership roles within the club that meets
their interests. Please contact Lori Formusa, Education Chair, with any suggestions.
Some areas we need assistance include, Sunshine Special and Distinguished Citizens.
These are programs that we have not been able to do because of lack of people
power. Education, assisting Lori in helping new members become acquainted with
Exchange, our programs of service and where they might be helpful. Hospitality,
chaired by Lynda Brown, not only acts as liason for our club with our meeting
facilities but arranges and coordinates our intraclub activities, like our Mini
Pearl Socials.
Speaking of which.....
Next mini Pearl Social, wine, play and dessert at City Lights, Thursday, October
10. Heavy appetizers, wine, cheese a performance of "Comic Potential"
and dessert for only $25 per person. We need a minimum of 25 people. City Lights
Theatre is offering this special package to Exchange.
Directed by Ross Nelson, this deliriously funny comedy from Britain's comic master takes place in the not-to-distant future, where actors have been replaced by robots, and an aspiring soap-opera screenwriter gets more than he bargained for when he falls in love with is robotic leading lady. "If you are going to see only play in your life, make it Comic Potential! A spectacular achievement!" --New York Magazine.
Please contact Lynda Brown with your reservations, the more the merrier. What a perfect opportunity to introduce a potential member to Exchange.
-- President Phillip Griego, San Jose Exchange
TopCovenant of Service
Accepting the divine privilege, of single and collective responsibility as life's noblest gift, I covenant with my fellow Exchangites:
To consecrate my best energies to the uplifting of Social, Religious, Political and Business ideals;
To discharge the debt I owe to those of high and low estate who have served and sacrificed that the heritage of American citizenship might be mine;
To honor and respect law, to serve my fellow men, and to uphold the ideals and institutions of my Country;
To implant the life-giving, society-building spirit of Service and Comradeship in my social and business relationships;
To better serve in Unity with those seeking better conditions, better understanding and greater opportunities for all.
These are the remarks of SJ Exchange Club President, Phillip J. Griego, at
the 9/11/02 dedication of the Freedom Shrine at the SJ Jose Convention Center.
The ceremonies included addresses by the Hon. Pete McHugh, Santa Clara County
Supervisor, Steve Cushing, Undersheriff, Santa Clara County Sheriff's office,
the National Anthem sung by Officer Robin Tokiwa, San Jose Police Department,
and the Song of America sung by the Lifescan Diversity Choir. The dedication
was made possible by donations from the Golden Crest Insurance Services, Inc.
Goldsmith Seeds, Bruce and Joanne McGuy, Jack Vallejos and the San Jose Convention
Center.
One year ago, on September 11, 2001, a new and terrible enemy savagely attacked our nation. This mysterious new enemy hides in darkness but there is no mistaking its intent or objective. It is nothing less than the destruction of our entire western tradition, our devotion to justice, and truth and freedom and liberty to be replaced by a tyranny whose capacity to suppress body and spirit rivals and surpasses the cruelest dictatorships of our modern era.
But our enemy made one critical mistake that dooms their effort. Our enemies assumed wrongly that our strength resides in our wealth and our prosperity. They thought they could destroy us if they destroyed our banks and our business. It was no accident therefore that among their targets that dastardly day, was the World Trade Center, the financial center for much of the world and a symbol of what our enemy believed was the source of our power.
But they were wrong. Our strength, and the ultimate guarantee of our victory, lies not in our wealth but in our faith, our faith in each other, our faith in our laws and institutions, our faith in liberty, and in the simple truth that all human beings are equal before God, and that any government that fails to honor and preserve that truth ought to be replaced by another that serves the people, rather than makes servants of the people.
We have achieved all that we are because we found the way to unleash the human spirit as no regime in the history of the mankind ever has. But unless we remember the source of that spirit and keep our faith we can yet lose all.
That faith resided in Todd Beamer, you may have heard of him, he’s now famous for those notable words, "Let’s roll." As you know many on flight 93 called loved ones, family and friends to let them know what was happening. But for some reason Todd’s call did not get through to his wife and ended up with a airphone operator. That operator later called Mrs. Beamer and told her of what transpired. Calmly and quietly in a business like fashion he described what had taken place, the number of passengers in coach and first class, three highjackers, two knives, five attendants. The passengers were discussing ways to overpower the highjackers. "It’s what we have do," Todd said. Todd talked about his family and asked the operator to call his wife if he did not make it home. "I don’t think we’re going to get out of this thing," he told the operator. "I’m just going to have to go out on faith." Todd asked the operator to pray with him, "Our Father, who art in heaven, . . . " they prayed together. "The Lord is my shepherd. I shall not want." "Jesus, help me," he said. Then the operator heard him say, "Are you guys ready? Let’s Roll." A phrase he used often with his boys ages 4 and 18 months.
Sounds of a struggle, then, . . . nothing. The Beamers third child was born January 9 four months after Flight 93 crashed into the Pennsylvania countryside.
No, our strength did not lie in the world trade center, but two short blocks away in St. Peter and Paul's Church where Mayor Guliani eulogized those who lost their lives on that day. It was most appropriate they chose that place, so near the valley of the shadow of death, to answer those who would destroy us. It was a way of telling our enemies that they had missed the mark, that our faith is intact, strong and prepared to pay any price and bear any burden to preserve freedom not just for us but for the world.
And so we who are left standing today dedicate this shrine to freedom as a reminder and a promise. A reminder that freedom is not free but requires of us a willingness to lay down our lives, if need be, that the blessings of liberty not perish. It s also a promise to make certain that those who pass through these doors will read and be moved by these great words, moved in spirit, and in faith in our traditions and institutions and in the God who left to us the awesome task of preserving the blessings of liberty for all mankind, that He will give the means to complete our task.
We here dedicate this shrine to the people of San Jose, so that the Faith of our Fathers may become the faith of our sons and daughters, that the last best hope for freedom in this world shall yet endure for generations to come."