Our Public Heroes

Tuesday was a very inspiring and humbling day for me...  I seem to have been in a funk lately, not sure why - maybe just a bit tired and burned out...   truth be told, almost didn't make it to Rotary...  shame on me - what a selfish mistake that would have been!!!  Our meeting was such a special treat!!!   First I want to thank all of you and especially you Gregg Kaufman for making me feel so loved and so appreciated!!!  I feel like "I'm wired" to do what I do...  I truly love being that "indian" that people can turn to when they need help!!! (bless all you "chief's" out there - I don't know how you do it) and today was just that shot of adrenalin I needed to pick myself up from the mat and get back out there!!!  So again, you'll all never know how wonderful today made me feel - all I can say is thanks from the bottom of my heart!!!

That leads me to today's program and a thank you to John Weiss for introducing this inspirational Hero Hour to us. For those of you who may have missed it - here's a recap that's worth the read...

John Weiss was proud to recognize John Kersten - an elementary school teacher at Monarch Grove who loves what he does...  he loves seeing the light bulb go off in a child's head after they've struggled to understand a concept...  all he wants is to be able to see kids succeed - at all levels...  he teaches, he's coached, he's a father (to 3 wonderful sons), he's a husband (to a wonderful woman), he's a mentor, and he's incredibly humble...   I understand he plays a mean game of basketball too...  Thanks John for what you do...

Judy Salamacha and Jude Long were proud to recognize Linnea Thomas - owner of our local bookstore and wedding chapel - Coalesce Bookstore & Garden Chapel...  we have been privileged to have Coalesce in Morro Bay for almost 40 years...  Linnea has so much love for Morro Bay and we for her!!!  She is host to so many wonderful events...   She believes in the power of books to change lives...   As a testament to Coalesce, while box stores have seemingly "taken over", Coalesce thrives because of the "Service Above Self" attitude that permeates in all that Linnea does... Thanks Linnea for what you do...   

Steve Knuckles was proud to recognize Father Ed - as a past Morro Bay Citizen of the Year, we shouldn't be surprised at how Father Ed really helped out the Fire Department in their time of need when follow Rotarian Graham Pask passed away so unexpectedly...  he always has the right words, does the right things, has a wonderful sense of humor, and has the ability to be real...   the Fire Department as well as the rest of us say Thanks for what you do...

Kasey Watson was proud to recognize Vilma Balcita - is one of the Lead Aides at the Garden House...  She is dedicated to providing everything to the Residents from overseeing household and Resident care, to managing medications, to administering first aid, to working directly with families, home health and hospice agencies, to cooking most of the meals...  she brings her fun loving and kind-hearted attitude to work everyday, she even sings and dances for the Residents which they adore.  Vilma is also a Rotarian from the Philippines who daily demonstrates the Rotary Service Above Self...  Thanks Vilma for what you do...

Matt Franklin was proud to recognize Mrs. Harper - 1st grade teacher at Del Mar Elementary who has made a difference in h is son, Colton Franklin's life!!  Fellow Rotarian and Father, Matt Franklin can't thank Mrs. Harper enough for the time and effort given to Colton...  he is so thankful for Del Mar and the wonderful teachers that are there...  Thanks Mrs. Harper for what you do...

Dan Reddell was proud to recognize Ken Vesterfelt - words that fellow Rotarian and Police Chief Amy Christey used to describe Ken are "inspiring", "works tirelessly", "fun", "friendly" and I could go on...  Ken is a giver of himself, pure and simple...   and he's somebody who doesn't consider himself as a hero, instead he says we should be looking to young cancer patients - his real hero's...   or those who wear the uniform with pride - also his hero's...  Thanks Ken for what you do...

Dan Reddell was proud to recognize Si Tenenberg - is a unique individual who actually says that our very own Dan Reddell is his hero for helping him deliver over 10,000 care packages to the men and women in Afghanistan over the years...  He is so pleased to see Morro Bay play such a vital and passionate role in trying to help our troops - a mission that he holds so dear...  he promises to continue this as long as we have men and women in harms way...   Thanks Si for what you do...

Mary Leizear was proud to recognize Diane Moore - has maintained the Mutt Mitt Program for the last 7 years...  she works tirelessly to ensure that this program continues, as it is vital to our City's and eco-system's well being...   she is honored to be thought of as a public hero and wanted to thank Rotary for all we do to help her keep this program going...   Thanks Diane for what you do...

Dan Costley and Chuck Clarke were proud to recognize Bill Houston - a Military Chaplain with the Navy for so very many years...   has seen so much, has been through so much...   and as such, has helped our troops through so much!!!  He continues in his efforts stateside volunteering most recently with the Cayucos Lost at Sea Memorial.  He wanted to reiterate the efforts being made by Si - the troops overseas appreciate the care packages that get sent more than we can ever know!!!  Thanks Bill for what you do...

Gary Owens was proud to recognize his wife Marlene Owens - Gary's wife for almost 56 years and is such an amazing person!!!  She works tirelessly on her many, many projects including Camp Hapitok (since 1977 no less) and Quota Club in all capacities from Indian to Chief to the Chief of Chiefs...  she's an incredible wife, mother, grandmother and friend...  Thanks Marlene for what you do...

Bryan Millard was proud to recognize his wife Monica Millard - an RN at Sierra Vista for the last 12 years and an inspiration to nurses as well as those aspiring to be nurses...  she not only cares for her patients but realizes how important it is to comfort them as well...   she hopes to impart that knowledge to our future nursing corp as she will also be teaching at Cuesta this fall in their nursing program...  LUCKY students!!!  Thanks Monica for what you do...

John Weiss was proud to recognize Jack Smith - an avid skateboarder and local business owner (go see our local Skateboard Museum) spends much of his time raising money for a variety of very worthy causes, his most recent being Skateboarding Across the Country (literally) to raise money and awareness for Alzheimers.  He gives of himself so unselfishly for the betterment of others - something we can and should all aspire to... 

I was left today with a sense of gratitude for all those doing so much for others and it made me realize that we can all do a bit more...  spend a bit more time...  be a bit more positive...  be a bit more proactive to those in need...  just be a bit better of a person tomorrow than we were today...   and above all else - continue to appreciate service above self!!!    thanks for listening...