For the second straight Friday, we had a full house on hand with an interclub from the Cape Fear Club and many guests who came to hear our great program presentation to include several members of the Fayetteville Independent Light Infantry (FILI). Jim “The Hammer” Ammons brought his entire staff to include 3 law interns, all of whom he made do the Shirley Malzone Splashpad Challenge. Speaking of the Splashpad Challenge, we got off to a great start with about a dozen taking the plunge on the inaugural Friday. We also had visitors from the Methodist University Circle K Club who gave a brief report on their activities this past school year. Glad to see Lee Warren back. Lee is hoping to get a new hip in July as Sue continues her own recovery from shoulder surgery.

 

Kirby White was back in full voice next to his designated driver and better half, Jennie.  What I want to know is where was Jennie when Kirby was trying to get the Silver Alert Brigade safely to Benson and back?

 

President-Elect Jay called up Diane Parfitt and Russ Jones for special recognition for leading the largest Terrific Kid Program in the world to another successful year.

 

Jim Ammons brought us yet another stellar and timely program the day before the 82^nd Anniversary of the launch of Operation Overlord, better known as D-Day, June 6, 1944. The roughly 160,000 Allied troops who landed in Nazi-occupied France not only successfully executed the largest air, land and sea invasion in history, they did so amid daunting obstacles, terrible bloodshed and stakes that couldn’t have been higher.

 

Doug Stephens, owner of Arsenal Appraisal and longtime chaplain of FILI, told us the story of his Uncle Johnny Grimes, proud Gillis Hill farm boy. Uncle Johnny had spent 4-years training with the 30^th Infantry Division, known as Old Hickory that landed on the beaches of Normandy on D-Day plus 5, June 11, 1944.  Sadly, Uncle Johnny at the tender age of 30 was among the 53,000 Allied Casualties in the Normandy invasion listed as killed in action just 61 days after he landed.  The family was given the option of having Uncle Johnny buried at Normandy or bring his body home. The Grimes family wanted him home and his body was returned to the family four years later in 1948 where he was buried at Galatia Presbyterian Church. Great pictures, and a great story of a member of The Greatest Generation, Johnny Grimes.

 

The fourth annual Kiwanis Fun day is in the books and what a great day it was! The earlier morning start this year brought us mild temps and a nice breeze. Good move, Felicia Smith!  Despite competition from other community events like Pondomania at the Botanical Garden, crowd-size expert, John Malzone, estimates 1200 in attendance. This we do know, Grace McGrath, Steve Brotherton, John Harbison and Shirish Devasthali dispensed between 500-600 snow cones!  

 

Ad Winters and I were the Bounce House Bouncers keeping the kiddies safe and directing them to the age-appropriate bounce house. I have never seen so many people lie about their age since I was at a college bar in the 70’s!

 

The Kiwanis Club has done many great things in our over 110-year history, but the funding and support for the Kiwanis Recreation Center and Park I believe is our greatest legacy. So many parents approached us and thanked us for providing this wholesome, and most importantly, completely free, family-friendly outing. In today’s tough economic environment it felt good to provide so much food and fun for so many. Thanks Felicia, Worth and all the Kiwanians who participated and supported this!

 

 

Til Next time….

 

John F. Holmes

988-8040