Awards Night and Social - Tuesday, Oct. 30. At the Edgewater, starting, we are now told, at 6:00, in the Rigadoon Room. Hors d’oeuvre buffet, social time, cash bar. Program will be, as the title suggests, awards, possibly a few committee reports about what we’re up to, and the Lion Birthday celebration led by PP MICHELLE VETTERKIND. Lots of veteran Lions have their Lion service anniversaries about now, and this is one way in which we recognize their service. Spice (plural of spouses) and prospective members welcome. A sign-up sheet has made the rounds, but if you’re coming and weren’t able to sign up, call JODI BURMESTER and let her know. We need an attendance count for the food. The Club is paying the bill.

Lion Birthday celebrants and their years of service: MELISSA ABBOT 4, DAVE WEINBACH 7, CHARLIE LIBERTY 11, ART TAGGART 12, MARSHALL FLAX 13, WALT PRIDHAM 26, BILL WILCOX 31, HAL OTTERBACK and DALE ST. JOHN 38, GLENN SCHAEFER 39, ARNIE LAMBERG 40, DALE MUELLER 42 (2 clubs), ED NEESE 52 YEARS! Besides being Club Secretary for some years, ED held the prestigious post of BULLetin Editor. A stream-of-consciousness writer, and the originator of displaying members’ names in capital letters. Never said “plethora,” tho.

At our last meeting, the TT welcomed DAWN JOHANKNECHT back with some contrived scheme or other, which apparently cost her some money. Glad to see you, DAWN, anyway! He also said he had collected so much change he’d have to take it for the bank to count. Must not be able to count above 20. Treasurer MELISSA ABBOTT hit us with timely quarterly bills - please pay up, we need the $$.

Pres. DON opened the meeting, LINDA BERGREN led the song, and SCOTT GROVER gave a timely invocation. LINDA said the order for Holiday Treats was going in - if you need to add to yours let her know, and she’ll try to fit yours in. Has to order in case lots, so there will be some product available in addition to what’s on the order sheet, but hopefully not much. No fun selling fruit cake in February.

BOB BOHN once again has heard bells in his head. This year, we’re scheduled to ring them for the Salvation Army at Sentry Hilldale, on Wed. Dec. 19. This is a good spot - inside, warm, lots of foot traffic. Not only do we help those in need, it’s a good feeling to watch people send their kids up to put something in the kettle. A signup sheet is coming, or if you have a favorite spot call BOB. We need two Lions for each shift, and one of the perks is that you get to wear a Lion vest. (If you want to.) PHIL STOWITTS has only about 5 Bucky Books left. A chance to save on a lot of golf and a lot of eating out, and the Club makes some money on the sales as well.

Pres. DON reminded us of the Service Club Luncheon on Nov. 14 (see him for ticket) and the Fall workday at Lions Camp on Sat. Oct. 27. A chance to lend a hand, and see your Camp if you haven’t.

MICHELLE VETTERKIND, after commenting that if all goes according to plan she will graduate from UW in December and no longer have to go to school on Tuesdays, introduced our speaker, Capt. Shannon Kilcoyne of the Wisconsin Army National Guard. Shannon enlisted in the Guard at age 17, from Darlington, and in nine years has worked her way up to the rank of Captain, and the role of Company Commander. Her Civil Engineering Company builds infrastructure - roads, bridges, buildings and fortifications, and she has 187 soldiers in her outfit. Hers is a full-time job, and certainly she redefines the term “citizen soldier.” However, the ability to lead certainly stood out, and some of the old rules, such as taking care of your troops first, obviously still apply. She spent a year in Iraq, after a 3-month train-up period on the mission, rules of combat, and Iraqi culture. Her troops were all heavily armed, and they lost 3 soldiers to IEDs during their tour. They had a lot of big, slow convoys to run because of their heavy equipment, but could call in air and ground support if attacked. The TV news is not what she saw, but is true in the worst places, like Fallujah. She found most Iraqis grateful for the American presence, and the children very appreciative of gifts - shoes, candy, school supplies.

There are still many instances in that society where women are still second-class citizens. In answer to a question, she said that American troop morale, and feeling supported from home, is volatile, depending on how well things are going at the time. Progress is being made, and they feel good about that, but there are still days when things go bad, and that makes it hard. She noted that female soldiers are welcome in support units like hers, but not used in combat units like the infantry. The fact that all of her ID, rank, and other insignia were velcroed to her uniform indicates the danger that goes with the job. She’s a good speaker, and it was a good program. Always good to have first-hand information.

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