Lynwood Rotary Meeting Update 02.25.2016
Larry was drafted during the Vietnam War Era, and he served in the Air Force full time for 7 years from 1968 to 1975. He was 20 years old when he started active duty. In 1989, when he was 40 years old, he re-enlisted in the Air Force Reserve, which required a two week military training session each year, and also required a 2 day military session each month. He was in the Air Force Reserve for 20 years until he reached 60 years of age in 2009, the mandatory retirement age.
While in the reserves, Larry went to college, using his military college benefits, and became a Chiropractor. He notes that now he plans to open up an office in Lynwood.
Larry's span of service both full time active duty in the Air Force and in the Air Force Reserves resulted in being stationed at a number of Air Force bases in the US, as well as in England and Germany. Shortly after he re-enlisted, Larry was a part of the military preparations and air transport operations for campaigns that are now an important part of recent military history. These activities include Operation Desert Shield, the 1991 military build-up in Saudi Arabia, and Desert Storm, the resulting war in Iraq- Kuwait. As Larry commented, part of our military history is President Bush's 100 Day War.
A final question from Daniel to Larry was: “How did you feel about being drafted during the Vietnam War era?” Larry's response was: “I just accepted it.” Daniel reminded everyone the great opposition to the Vietnam War, and especially by many young men who intensely objected to the draft and the possibility that they would be called through the mandatory provisions of the draft.
.Before the speaker, President-Elect Ramon Rodriguez presided, explaining that Club President Martina Rodriguez was out of town but would return for next week's meeting. He mentioned the positive impact of his attendance at the 3-day weekend training session for incoming club presidents (presidents-elect) who start in July 2016 through June 2017. Ramon said the president elect (PETS) training was even better than the previous PETS training he attended when he served as club president more than a decade ago. He noted the possibility of reducing the dues to attract members who cannot afford the present dues cost, in exchange for charging for the luncheon meals, which currently are free to all attendees.
Ramon Rodriguez also introduced three guests, starting with long time District 5280 Rotary leader Jerry Brown who is also a member of the South Gate Rotary Club. Jerry Brown introduced Angelo Sotelo and Adan Loya. They are both members of the Compton Rotary Club, and Angelo Sotelo is the President-Elect for the Compton Club. Angel introduced Cynthia Guerrero, also from the Compton Club, who is interested in meeting people from the Lynwood Club. Angelo suggested that the Compton, Lynwood and South Gate Clubs share some meeting dates, as a way of strengthening Rotary member leadership skills and encouraging community activities that the three clubs can do together. Angelo noted that Compton Club activities include its members interacting with various Compton events.
Daniel noted that while the Lynwood Club meets on Thursdays at 12 Noon to 1:30 pm, at Bateman Hall, Lynwood City Hall, the South Gate and Compton Clubs meet on Wednesdays, 12 Noon to 1:30 pm. For the South Gate Club the location is the auditorium building in South Gate Park, and for the Compton Club, the location is in the central offices of the Compton College Campus.
Daniel Miller / Omar Franco
Public Relations and Community Outreach for the Lynwood Rotary Club