Robert called the meeting to order with 10 members present. Courtney Fisher, an associate with MacDougal & Company, Inc. real estate, visited with us. Welcome.
Courtney Fisher
ROTARY MOMENT:
George discussed the exchange of Rotary banners between clubs as a way to express each club’s individuality, and as a tangible symbol of Rotary’s international flavor. Thanks George.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
- Our participation in the Veteran’s Day celebration last Friday was a huge success and was well attended. Thanks to Craig, Gene and Dee for putting up American flags to celebrate our veterans’ sacrifices in past conflicts and present wars and also the personal and corporate sacrifices of their families. Many veterans made the ultimate sacrifice, which is a debt that can never be repaid. We, as a free people, must never forget and always celebrate and honor these men, women and their families.
- December 9: Rotary’s Lombardi Award, sponsored by the Houston Rotary Club will be given to colleges’ top football lineman.
- December 17: Wonderland in Westchase and our cookout fundraiser.
- HWRC’s Christmas party and celebration of 4 new Paul Harris fellowships. Date to be announced.
- Our thoughts and prayers are with Jatin’s mother who recently suffered from a brain hemorrhage. She is improving.
PROGRAM:
Fear and greed rules the commercial real estate market at present. Credit market freeze is and has been much of the problem and will continue to be a factor in the recovery. Investment sales and 1031 exchanges are down 85% from 2008 to 2009. One should probably not try to buy at the bottom but should get into the game.
Houston has a diverse, well-educated work force. We have increased our population 2 ½ times since 1980, and we continue to be the energy capital of the world. Joe expects a dramatic increase in commercial investment sales of properties in Houston under $10 million in 2010. An old Russian proverb: “Pray to God, but row for the shore”. Great program George. Thanks Joe.
MEMBERS ABSENT:
- Sarah
- Margaret
- Sam
- Susie
We missed you.
WISDOM:
- Fast is fine, but accuracy is everything. Wyatt Earp, lawman
- I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work. Thomas Edison, inventor
VETERAN'S DAY STORIES:
- On October 8, 1918, Cpl Alvin York, a reluctant, 30 year old soldier from Pall Mall, Tennessee was in France when his patrol stumbled upon a German company having breakfast on a French hillside. York's patrol was suddenly pinned down by machine-gun fire. Half the patrol was cut down in an instant, leaving York in charge. While the other men hugged the earth for safety, York calmly took aim at the machine gunners. One by one he shot more that a dozen machine gunners. In desperation, a German lieutenant led a bayonet charge against York. As if protected by an unseen force, York stood up and calmly picked off each man in the charge with his Colt pistol. Afterward, York noticed the underbrush around his position had been chewed by machine gun fire. A canteen nearby had 18 holes in it. York took the remaining men prisoner and headed for the Army's 82nd Division headquarters in Varennes. General Julian Lindsey greeted him. "Well, York, I hear you have captured the whole damn German army," he said. No, sir. I only got 132," replied York, who would be awarded the French Croix de Guerre, the Italian Croce di Guerra, the U.S. Distinguished Service Cross and the Medal of Honor.
- A little closer to home: Dr. Henry Jaehne, Robert's father, was awarded 3 Bronze Star medals for heroism crossing the Rhine River at the Bridge of Remagen during the World War II.
