Rotary Gram

Durango High Noon Rotary

September 11, 2003, Noon

Mike Sandberg gave the invocation to the memory of the victims of tragedy two years ago

on September 11, 2001, especially the 418 first responders who died in New York City, by quoting

From Bible: “Greater love hath no man than to give up his own life so others might live” and

Remembering also “They shall find favor with me.”

“Let us pray that those first responders have found the special favor promised to them.”

Amen So Sayeth All.

Guests:

Guest introductions were lengthy due to our program honoring local heroes and first

Responders from the Colorado State Patrol: Chad Martin, Chris Cutrone and DHN Rotary’s own

Mike McGuire.

Guests from the Colorado State Patrol, introduced by club member and CSP Officer Ralph

Martin, were:

Sgt. Ann Robinson, Lt. Col. Gary Coe, Capt. Alan TeBrink and his wife Brenda,

Technician Chris Cutrone and his wife Cathy, Officer Todd Martin and his brother Chad and his

Mother Virginia.

Former Representative and now Commissioner Jim Dyer and Senator Jim Isgar were

introduced by member Representative Mark Larson as his guests.

Guests from the office of Congressman Scott McGinnis were Jan Zimmerman and Aaryn

Richardson, also introduced by Representative Larson.

Sara Olsen was introduced as the guest of Jill Bruce. Other guests were Sue Jackson,

Carol McGuire introduced by member and retired CSP Officer Mike McGuire. Pam Taylor, a

member of the Rotary evening club attended as a guest as well.

Announcements:

Plan seedlings for the “Rotary Park” at Vallecito.

Sept. 13, Saturday - Meet 9 AM at the Chamber of Commerce Building at Vallecito. Bring

gloves and needle point shovels. Lunch provided.

Contact Brian Kimmel: 259-4731 swlsinc@frontier.net

Oktober Fest

October 24, Friday - - Sign up for jobs at this all-day event.

Contact co-chairs Chip Lile or Paulette Church.

Durango - La Plata County Reads

Schedule of Events announced.

First Event

Sept. 12 7:00 PM.

Ed Quillen lectures at Ft. Lewis College, Noble Hall, on Cadillac Desert, Marc Reisner’s

classic work on water projects in the American West.

For other events, contact Durango Public Library 385-2970.

Rotary Pot Luck and Chamber Music at Fort Lewis

Saturday, September 20

Susan Sanders hosts a 5:00 PM “bring your own wine” potluck dinner before the group

proceeds to Ft. Lewis to listen to chamber music performed at 7:00 PM by the Eroco Trio from

New York City. Purchase your own tickets.

To sign up, contact Susan Sanders or Terri Lee

Kiwanis Club of Durango’s

$100,000 Hole-in-One Charity Classic

October 3, Friday

Dalton Ranch

4 Person Scramble with 10 AM Shotgun start

$195 donation includes cart, green fees, lunch.

Limited to 72 amateurs

Gobs of prizes and a silent auction.

Proceeds to benefit Children’s Miracle Network and local charities

Contact Greg Veatch @ 247-8762

150 Mentors Needed

Deadline: Sign up by September 29

9-R school children, chosen by their teachers, need mentors, tutors and study

buddies.

Contact ??????????

Fireside Chat

Will be scheduled by President Chessa Gill during October.

Redball Express

Volunteers Needed. The Committee assignments underway. Contact Chairman Bill

Cartwright @ 382-6695 or wmcfunding@aol.com

Snowball

Committee meeting immediately after lunch. Chairperson: Steve Govereau.

The WheelChair Foundation

Jeff Brown announced receipt of pledges for 100 wheelchairs, to be delivered through local

Rotary to Mexico or Central America. Contact Jeff to participate in this simply wonderful

international project, the topic of last week’s outstanding program. MAKE YOUR

PLEDGE.

La Plata Youth Services

Bert Holman announced this worthy program needs the donation of a couch. Bill

Hermesman of Northpoint Furniture responded immediately and satisfied the request.

Group Study Exchange

Participate in a potluck at the Railroad Museum to greet the Italian group study exchange.

Contact Pam Taylor

This Is My Life

Howard Wilson, his parent both teachers, attended the same school in a small town of

Northern Michigan from Kindergarten through high school. An accident while college-aged with a

tractor’s PTO belt left Howard injured and hospitalized for weeks, having learned the two valuable

lessons: “Read the Instruction Manual” and “Pay Attention.”

Howard obtained advanced degrees in physics from Indiana University before beginning a

career in nuclear testing, first at California’s Livermore Laboratory for four years and later with the

private company SAIE for 30 years.

Now we know DHNR has some members with serious brain power.

Sergeant At Arms

Vo-Tech Scholarship

Bud Deering announced his annual contribution for a scholarship to attend the VoTech

School (located outside Cortez). Beginning on his 70th birthday, Bud has endowed this

scholarship every year on his birthday. Bud turns 75 this year and paid $2,000 to the scholarship

fund. We all hope Bud reaches well into his 90’s — by which time he pledges to increase his

yearly commitment to $5,000.00 toward this worthy scholarship program.

Fellow Rotarians are most welcome to climb aboard with their augmentations for Bud’s fine

program.

Program

Our program honored Colorado State Patrol Officers Todd Martin and Chris Cutrone.

Each officer received recognition through the reading of commendations in the United

States Congress and the Colorado General Assembly.

In behalf of Congressman Scott McInnis, Aaryn Richardson recited the Congressman’s

commendation on the floor of the House of Representatives of Officers Martin and Cutrone.

In behalf of the people of Colorado, Representative Mark Larson recited the commendation

made offered to Officer Todd Martin for his commendable service and Senator Jim Isgar recited the

commendation offered to Officer Chris Cutrone for his commendable service.

The Officers were given U.S. and Colorado flags.

The Officers received standing ovations from Durango High Noon Rotary in honor of their

persons, their service, and their exemplary character.

The minutes would be incomplete without insertion of those commendations into our

records. No reporter can capture in this sterile set of minutes the emotion, the heroism, and the

example of “service above self” that came through in this program honoring these officers. Let it

be noted that the guests in attendance from the Colorado State Patrol added immensely to this

program even by their mere presence as we honored together their comrades.

The program concluded with the giving to Mike McGuire of the retirement ceremony he

attempted to circumvent. Lt. Colonel Gary Coe spoke and read letters from the Governor and

CSP’s chief commending Mike for his services. Mike received flags, his framed badge, and other

momentos honoring his service. This reporter admired Mike’s ingenuity as his managed to load

this trove onto his motorcycle after the meeting.

State of Colorado

The Senate and House of Representatives

Convened in the

Sixty Third General Assembly

Hereby extend sincere commendation to

Colorado State Trooper chris Cutrone

On the afternoon of May 8, 2003, Colorado State patrol K9 Technician Chris Cutrone,

accompanied by his dog Tucker, stopped a car with stolen Texas license plates on Colorado

Highway 666 south of Cortez, Colorado. As he approached the care Technician Cutrone was

shot three times. While being aided by medical personnel on the front steps of the Ute mountain

Ute casino, and before he lost consciousness, Technician Cutrone was able to describe the suspect

and car to Cortez Communication Officer Tamiro Osborne. This information was broadcast to

law enforcement personnel in the area and led to the apprehension of the suspect in the Towaoc

area. Technician Cutrone remained in critical condition for several weeks and continues to

undergo therapy for injuries received from his wounds.

The General Assembly is proud to honor Technician Chris Cutrone for his commendable

service.

On request of Representative Mark Larson;

and Senator Jim Isgar.

State of Colorado

The Senate and House of Representatives

Convened in the

Sixty Third General Assembly

Hereby extend sincere commendation to

Colorado State Trooper Todd Martin

May 29, 1998 was Todd Martin’s final day with Montezuma County Sheriff’s Department

before he was scheduled to attend the Colorado State Patrol’s basic academy. Instead of enjoying

a going away ceremony with friends, family, and fellow employees his life changed forever. At

(;24 A.M. three gunmen shot and killed Officer Dale Claxton of the Cortez Police Department.

Todd, along with numerous other law enforcement personnel from the area, responded to the area.

He soon saw a construction truck speeding toward him. The suspects opened fire, hitting Todd

in the left elbow and right knee. Todd lost about one half his blood supply and woke up in the

Cortez hospital after 5 1/2 hours of surgery. After months of grueling therapy Todd joined the

Colorado State Patrol on January 11, 1999. He graduated number one in his class and was

stationed in Silverton, Colorado where he and hs wife Carolyn live and work today.

The General Assembly is proud to honor Trooper Todd Martin for his commendable

service.

On request of Representative Mark Larson;

and Senator Jim Isgar.

State of Colorado

The Senate and House of Representatives

Convened in the

Sixty Third General Assembly

Hereby extend sincere commendation to

Colorado State Trooper Mark McGuire

After serving his country as a B-52 pilot, Colonel Mark McGuire retired from the United States

Air Force and joined the State Police in Durango. Since 1995, State Trooper McGuire has

served the Durango area and Colorado in a diligent manner ensuring the safety of the motoring

public. During his busy 8 year career with the Colorado State patrol, Trooper McGuire was

instrumental in implementing the Alive At 25 program, Gang Resistance Education and

Training (G..R.E.A.T.) program, and Victims Impact Panels in the Durango, Alamosa, and

Montrose Troops. Trooper McGuire participated in the local Mother Against Drunk Driving

(M.A.D.D.) chapter, and through them acquired equipment that aids in the detection and

apprehension of intoxicated drivers. Mike has distinguished himself within his community

through his significant volunteer service and membership in the Durango High Noon Rotary

Club, currently serving as President-Elect. Late in Mike’s career, and for reasons unknown to

civilians, the electronic gate guarding the Durango State Patrol parking area was dubbed the

“Mike McGuire Memorial Gate.”

The General Assembly is proud to honor Trooper Mark McGuire for his commendable

service.

On request of Representative Mark Larson;

and Senator Jim Isgar.