Our Korean War Hero & 10 Year Rotarian George Sousa drew a crowd of over 15 guests to hear him talk about his Korean War experience and watch an interview of him when he was in Washington DC as part of Honor Flight San Diego
Here he is with some of his family and friends who were there - Stacey Halboth with Honor Flight San Diego, friend and Snowboard Olympian Tessa, sons Jim and Bill with their wives
George was 21 when he was drafted into the Army 2nd Infantry Division & headed to Korea, leaving behind a wife of 2 months, pregnant with their first son. He is the only survivor of the tank attack on Heartbreak Ridge for which he won a purple heart.
Here, Stacey Halboth, who accompanied George on his Honor Flight, holds a newspaper article of George in the local paper upon his return from the war
George wants everyone to remember that this was a real war where over 36,000 Americans died; he is very proud of his unit saying the 2nd Infantry Division is 2nd to none; and wants people to remember to thank Veterans for the sacrifices they made for our country. All gave George a standing ovation (Pictured here: Akilah Templeton, CEO of Veterans Village; Alicia Foster, Jon Fish, Monica Stuck, Human Resources with the Hilton; Nancy Starling, Carlsbad Rotary; Charles Foster, Joe Kuhn, Hilton General Manager; and Suzanne Sutton)
Acting President/President Elect Malcolm Koll presenting George our certificate showing our commitment and work with OEF and the children of El Salvador
On a lighter note, Malcolm showed George dancing to the music in a Korean "Gangnam Style" video
Other Rotary news included Di Shimkus reminding members of the Nature Collective walk next Thursday, 3/30 at 9:00am & Rotarians at Work Day there on April 29; Paul Butler, Membership Chair sharing Susan's goal of going from 29 to 34 members; Sushandra Brahma updating us on the $32K Global Grant on organic farming that we are doing with her non-profit in Calcutta, India; and Nicole Mione-Green, Youth Chair, asking for funds to purchase business attire for our students who will be participating in Model UN on April 1 & 2.
