President Clent Walker presided over a very special Veteran’s Day Program and guided us in prayer, Harry led us with the pledge to our flag, John Stewart with the Four Way Test, and Art Harrington led us in song It’s a Grand Ole Flag. Congratulations to Harry for taking the pot.
Our guests included prospective new member Bill Mosher, Assistant District Gov Ron Williams, and we welcomed Laura’s husband Steve, an EOD Naval veteran.
Thought of the Day by Glen: “The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him.”
Matt Greenlee was the Sergeant at Arms and immediately fined Greg Raskin for having a dominating voice on Zoom. He spun the wheel and all those who did not suck up him paid a buck. All veterans were recognized and non-veterans paid a fine. Art Harrington informed us that the training seminar for District Governors and the House of Friendship were both switched to virtual formats. Donna celebrated her birthday and honored Tony Shaw. Katheryn Tuberty reminded all that we have our Holiday Party on Dec. 9. Lots of happy bucks for our veterans and elected officials.
The arrangement for today was to honor our veterans on this Veterans Day. The format began with a dazzling performance by the Honor Corps from Embry-Riddle, consisting of four drill teams: Sabre Drill Team, Rifle Drill Team, Unarmed Drill Team, and Color Guard. Bud Ackerman put together a slide show to honor each or our veterans in Sunup, and each veteran stood up and briefly talked about their respective military backgrounds.
Phil Goode introduced our guest speaker Jerome Welna, a WWII Navy combat veteran and author of A Destroyer Sailor's War: The True Story of a Destroyer Sailor's Life at Sea During World War II. Jerry presented our club with a fascinating account of his experiences aboard the destroyer USS Barton, from bomber and E-boat attacks during the D-Day invasion to kamikaze attacks in the Pacific Ocean Theater of WWII. Jerry took us aboard the USS Barton to his battle station on the bridge for a grandstand view of the army Ranger assault on Pointe du Hoc, located at the west end of Omaha Beach, 6 June 1944.
The Barton provided artillery support for the army Rangers until target number one for the Omaha Beach sector was taken out and all German resistance eliminated. Jerry provided personal eyewitness details of the nineteen-day naval battle with naval artillery support for invasion troops at Omaha Beach, which ended 24 June with the bombardment and capture of Cherbourg. He detailed the problems encountered by assault forces advancing through the German mined defense system, outlining how dangerous it really was for the soldiers to advance up the beach to the base of the cliffs, which afforded their only protection from accurate German shell fire. The Normandy invasion could never have been attempted without the support of the U.S. Navy.
During the latter part of his presentation, Jerry described to our club the many battles with the kamikazes for the liberation of the Philippines, and the final battle of Okinawa. A true American hero and a true honor for our club to hear him speak.
Jean J. Gurga was appointed Medical Center Director at the Northern Arizona VA Health Care System effective August 2, 2020.
Ms. Gurga has over 23 years of VA health care experience in Quality, Ambulatory Care, and Occupational Therapy. Since December 2017, she has served as the Associate Director (AD) at the VA Long Beach Healthcare System overseeing facility operations for Engineering, Fiscal, Health Administration, Human Resources, and Supply Chain. She also serves as the executive in charge for Information Technology and Contracting services for the facility.
Ms. Gurga previously served as the Chief, Office of Quality, Safety & Value (QSV) at VA Palo Alto Health Care System. In that role, she was responsible for leading the operations and strategic direction for QSV with programmatic responsibilities for Quality & Safety, Infection Prevention & Control, Patient Experience, Process Improvement, and the Office of Education. In addition, Ms. Gurga worked closely with executive leadership in building Palo Alto’s continuous improvement infrastructure and the deployment of their Lean management system. For several years, she coached and facilitated improvement projects at the local, network, and national level. Ms. Gurga formerly served as the Assistant Chief of Ambulatory Care Service and was as an occupational therapist for ten years with her last clinical position being Chief of Occupational Therapy at Palo Alto.
Ms. Gurga is a member of the American College of Health Care Executives. She holds a master's degree in Occupational Therapy from Tufts University - Boston School of Occupational Therapy and a bachelor's degree in Business Economics from Mills College. In 2017, Ms. Gurga graduated from VHA’s Health Care Leadership Development Program and in 2011 she graduated from the Partnership for Public Service's Excellence in Government Fellows Program.
Thanks to everyone who was able to make it to the Veteran’s Day Program, and also to those who were able to make it to the Parade. Both were great, and thanks to Bud for putting together a fine slide presentation.
Thanksgiving approaches and we celebrate the many things we are grateful for, let us not forget those who have lost so much this year. I’m so glad that Sun Up has been able to help make a difference here in the Prescott Area. Enjoy your week and have a great and Happy Thanksgiving.
May the words you speak today be gentle and kind because you may have to eat them tomorrow.
performance by the Honor Corps from Embry-Riddle, consisting of four drill teams: Sabre Drill Team, Rifle Drill Team, Unarmed Drill Team, and Color Guard. Bud Ackerman put together a slide show to honor each or our veterans in Sunup, and each veteran stood up and briefly talked about their respective military backgrounds.
Sailor's War: The True Story of a Destroyer Sailor's Life at Sea During World War II. Jerry presented our club with a fascinating account of his experiences aboard the destroyer USS Barton, from bomber and E-boat attacks during the D-Day invasion to kamikaze attacks in the Pacific Ocean Theater of WWII. Jerry took us aboard the USS Barton to his battle station on the bridge for a grandstand view of the army Ranger assault on Pointe du Hoc, located at the west end of Omaha Beach, 6 June 1944.
Ms. Gurga has over 23 years of VA health care experience in Quality, Ambulatory Care, and Occupational Therapy. Since December 2017, she has served as the Associate Director (AD) at the VA Long Beach Healthcare System overseeing facility operations for Engineering, Fiscal, Health Administration, Human Resources, and Supply Chain. She also serves as the executive in charge for Information Technology and Contracting services for the facility.
