On Aniversary of D-Day Jylha Speaks On Normandy Trip
June 6, 2017
By: Stephen Kent
Eric Jylha
Normandy Beach - Tuesday - 6 June, 1944
The day that the Allies saved the world.
On the anniversary of WWII's D-Day Invasion of France, Eric Jylha spoke about his experiences when he visited that fateful site last October.
It was that simple and that profound. The largest amphibious landing in military history took place on the beaches of Normandy. During the first week, some 326,000 men and women on both sides took part; 50,000 vehicles were involved; 100,000 tons of supplies were required.
Rather than a travelogue, Eric talked about the experience, the emotions, the history of the invasion.
He talked about the generals and the men, the landmarks, and the events.
Eric related how three things helped win that battle:
First was the LCIL (Landing Craft Infantry Large), with their Bay City connection, which enabled the Allies to put men on the shore in great numbers.
Second was the ability to build a harbor quickly to enable the craft to land.
Third was "Operation Pluto", rubberized gas pipelines, extended section at a time, that kept fuel flowing to the front.
Numerous stories were related, including the first-hand accounts written by soldiers from both sides. Eric also talked the about the meticulous care of the cemeteries on both sides. He related the story of one woman on the trip who had contacted the cemetery in advance asking about her relative's burial place. She was instructed that when the rest of the tour turned one way, she was to turn the other and come to the office. When she got there she was escorted to the grave where a ceremony was performed to honor that fallen soldier.
The stories are too numerous to relate here. The talk was informative, interesting, and emotional. It made everyone think back to that day 73 years ago when history was made.
Eric noted that when he looked down at the beaches today, he saw people picnicking, sail carts racing on the sand, and others just walking. His first thought was that it seemed inappropriate on that sacred place. On second thought he realized that was exactly what our men fought and died for: they preserved the freedom to enjoy that place far into the future.
CLUB NEWS and ANNOUNCEMENTS
The board meets this week
June 13 at 11:00 before the regular meeting.
Meet at the Doubletree as usual
Everyone is welcomed.
Agenda, minutes, treasurers reports and other information
is in the member's area of the club web site.
Tim Holsworth spoke about the upcoming Golf Scramble. "So this is the time in the process or schedule where I start to panic." It happens every year. The time draws close and there are not many teams signed up. That always clears up as teams get their entry forms in. But the point is that it's time NOW to do that and take some of the pressure off Tim.
The ZOMBIE RUN is scheduled for October and work is starting now. The next meeting of the Committee will be held after the regular meeting this week, June 13.
A reminder that Deb Lutz is asking for volunteers to sign up for ticket taking and 50/50 ticket sales for the next month. If you want to help, see Deb.
Congratulations to Don Carlyon who announced that he has been married to his dear wife for 71 years. As most members know, the couple eloped to be married and returned to hear from "everyone" that it would never last. Don and all of the Rotary is pleased that those nay-sayers were all proved wrong.
A reminder that DUES INVOICES for the July to December 2017 term have been mailed. Please pay as soon as possible.
Current and past DISTRICT DISPATCH newsletters are available on the District site shown in the LINKS section below.
This past Saturday, June 10, the Club held a Family of Rotary Picnic at the Discovery Preserve on Euclid. It was a beautiful day. It was also one of the first heat waves of the summer with temperatures in the high eighties. But there was plenty of shade and a nice breeze (OK, make that an unrelenting wind) blowing. Everyone who attended has a good time and shared good fellowship.
Thanks to Brenda Scramlin for putting the event together!
Chris Girard shows off one
of the Rotary visors being sold.
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Good picnic food for everyone!
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DATES TO REMEMBER
Board Meeting - June 13 - 11:00 am before regular meeting.
- Everyone invited.
ZOMBIE RUN Committee - June 13 immediately after the regular meeting.
June 19 - Monday: Golf Outing
July 4 - NO MEETING. Enjoy the 4th
July 25 - July 26, 2017
District 6310 to Tour One Rotary Center.
Group to take Amtrak train to Chicago.
October 14, 2017 - ZOMBIE RUN Bigelow Park.
November 7, 2017 - Vocational Day
Upcoming Programs
(See the official schedule at
RotaryBayCity.org )
June 13, 2017 - 100 years of Scouting and still going strong Presented by Erv Hutter
June 20, 2017 - Bay City Players celebrates 100 years!
Kathy Pawloski will present the program.
June 27, 2017 - Team Paws Rocks Kind with Karrie Marciniak.
Rotary is an intimate affiliation of carefully selected business and professional people,
having as its objective the promotion of high ethical standards in private, commercial
and civic life, and dedicated to the ideal that the basis of all worthy endeavor is unselfish service.
Current and past DISTRICT DISPATCH newsletters are available on the District site shown in the LINKS section below.
Rotary Bay City on Facebook!
Click on the Blue Facebook to visit us there.
Remember! Check attendance sheets at the front desk.
LINKS
0202 nd 04-22-2024
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