Meeting Opening: David Dix played God Bless America; Pledge of Allegiance was led by President Randy Smith, and Debbie Krutz provided the Invocation blessing for military personnel.
Guests: Asad Kahn introduced potential members Bill Myers and Dr. Marcela Castano.
Announcements:
Mary Beth Harper updated the club on the shoe box project that has benefited children of the dump in Nicaragua for many years. Due to Covid and political unrest in Nicaragua, no American was able to go for the distribution to the children this year which normally occurs around Christmas. While the Kent Club did not participate last year, the boxes from other clubs are still being held in customs hoping for a release late summer. Hence, no boxes will be collected this year. If the project restarts, Mary Beth said she would chair the project.
President Randy noted that our cereal box challenge with Stow-Monroe Falls and Kent, Washington Rotary clubs was featured last week in the Akron Beacon Journal.
Amanda Senn announced a plan to start monthly social gatherings of Rotarians, spouses and potential members beginning June 23 at the Kent State Hotel patio. Kent Rotary and guests will be the only group that evening at the 1910 bar and patio. More details to come.
Kathy Myers said a committee is completing our district matching grant proposal that needs to be submitted this weekend. The proposal would expand Main Street Kent's Extravagant Story Walk to three times a year. The materials prepared for the three books would be shared with other clubs in the district. The project supports literacy, a focus of Rotary International and the Rotary Club of Kent. Kathy is looking for a member to chair the project.
David Myers is looking for an AV team to support the new hybrid format of the weekly meetings when Rotary returns to the United Methodist Church's gymnasium. The church has extensive technology to support the club but needs members to make it work. If interested, contact David or President Randy.
100th Anniversary Moment: Jim Myers shared historical moments from 1943 when the theme for Rotary International in St. Louis was Rotary Serving in War & Peace and the club began having the "church ladies" provide lunch. Details below.
Program: David Myers introduced U.S. Navy Commander Mike Sargent, Operation Officer at Fleet Logistics in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Commander Sargent is a 2001 graduate of Kent Theodore Roosevelt High School, the Naval Academy with a degree in system engineering, and a masters in business administration from The Ohio State University. He is married to his high school sweetheart Elizabeth and they have three sons, Jack, Will and Walter.
Commander Sargent said there are 350,000 people in the Navy and 2,300 supply officers. He said logistics and supply chain work has been exciting, especially during the pandemic. He said he works closely with the Army and Air Force and recently oversaw 2,000 pieces of large equipment being transferred in a 24 hour period.
He then responded to questions sent in by Rotarians in advance of his talk:
Navy's humanitarian role: 2 hospital ships with 1,000 beds on board can quickly assist with disaster relief for hurricanes, earthquakes and the pandemic. Part of each deployment includes community relations projects such as construction and reading to children. Being agile and mobile makes the humanitarian efforts doable.
Why the Navy? He said he was drawn to the Navy by a sense of adventure and the ability to be near water. He said the Navy has greatly exceeded his expectations.
Dangers facing the Navy every day: mental health issues from high stress jobs need to identified and get the personnel gotten in touch with the available resources. He also said sexual assault, domestic abuse, and other societal issues as Navy is a microcosm of society.
Chinese threat: He said the Chinese are very strategic and focus on long term goals as they pursue economic and social domination in the Pacific arena. The U.S. response is called Pivot to the Pacific with the goal of ensuring the ability for rapid deployment.
Non wartime activities: training, maintenance, community projects and readiness activities. He believes we are at war with cyber attacks, election interference and social media influence. He said it is a dynamic environment and the country doesn't want to be caught off guard.
Staying in touch with Kent: strong ties going back to high school, Boy Scouts and Kent schools academic and sports programs.
Commander Sargent has served in diverse logistics roles during his 16 years including on aircraft carriers, submarines and central supply. He has served in D.C., Columbus OH, Norfok VA, Italy, and Bremerton WA as well as Hawaii.
His tenets are: duty, integrity and respect. He approaches his job and life by enjoying the journey, keeping perspective and finding good balance between work/life.
Response was by Amanda Senn, a neighbor of Commander Sargent's in Kent, who said it was good to hear about the Navy's humanitarian efforts for the global good.
Respectfully submitted by Anita Herington
