Medal of Honor recipient joins ordinary people doing extraordinary things
By Jay Pennie
I had the pleasure of attending the Rotary Club District 7450 Conference this past Saturday at the Springfield Country Club with a few hundred members. In keeping with this year's theme, "Be the inspiration," many inspirational speakers presented including 30 year-old Dakota Meyer, Medal of Honor Recipient and Author of the New York Times Best Seller, Into the Fire. Sergeant Meyer, who received his Medal from President Barack Obama, gave account of the extraordinary battle in Afghanistan where he helped his fallen Marine comrades.
Most importantly, he addressed inspiration, leadership, courage, believing in yourself, and doing what is right. These are qualities that we all should aspire to incorporate in our lives, Rotarians or not. But you don't have to be one of the youngest living Medal of Honor recipients to display these qualities.
Other inspiration came from Rotarian David Forward, an author who published his 13th book, A String of Pearls, Inspiring Stories of How Rotary Peace Fellows are Serving Humanity and Changing the World, and founder of International Children's Aid Foundation. The all-volunteer foundation has its own orphanage, dental and medical clinics in Romania and has taught hundreds of abandoned children early childhood education, vocational training and life skills.
Another amazing Rotarian who spoke was Donna-Lee Young Rubin, CEO of Rotoplast International, an organization founded by Rotarians who volunteer with medical professional helping children and families worldwide by eliminating the burden of cleft lip and/or palate, burn scarring, and other deformities.
Rob Newman, District Chair of the Long Term Youth exchange presented Skype interviewed with several U.S. high school students currently studying in Europe and Asia. The program enables students learn a new language, discover another culture, and truly become global citizens. Exchanges for students range from ages 15-19 and are sponsored by Rotary clubs in more than 100 countries.
And finally, there were the leaders who inspire others in the audience who are members of the local community. My fellow Rotarians and attendees of the conference are all part of the premier international humanitarian service organization who tackle major issues facing the world today such as: eradicating polio (inoculated 2 billion children in 122 countries); maternal and child health, clean water and sanitation, literacy, economic development and promoting international peace through education.
I am so honored to be inspired this past weekend by so many "ordinary" people doing extraordinary things.
Jay Pennie is a management consultant dedicated to helping nonprofit arts, education, and cultural organizations achieve their full potential. He is also President Elect of the Rotary Club of Philadelphia. PhilaRotary.org
Photo credit: President Barack Obama awards the Medal of Honor to former Marine Corps Sgt. Dakota Meyer. White House photo by Pete Souza/Released