Rotary Club of Charleston

A RARE PIECE OF HISTORY: The Ordinance of Secession

December 7, 2010: The original handwritten Ordinance of Secession, signed on December 20, 1860, was brought to our meeting by speaker Eric Emerson. In that a mere copy of the document recently sold for $30,000 in NYC, it was understandable that a security guard accompanied it. For decades the south felt that the north had threatened their way of life, but the election of President Lincoln on November 8, 1860 brought it to a head.

A special delegation of 169 SC residents, many of whom had served in the state government, met at First Baptist Church in Columbia to create a document of secession. Said document was unanimously signed and brought to Charleston by train, where a convention was held at 134 Meeting Street. The “Secession Hall” as well as St. Andrews Hall, where the final document was completed, both burned in later major Charleston fires.

The document was signed on parchment and later reproduced by the lithographic process with a copy given to each of the 169 signers. It was carried up the streets along with the large Secession Banner [now on exhibit at the South Carolina Historical Society in Charleston].

A subsequent document was formed to reinforce the Ordinance, noting:
1. A Justification for the Immediate Causes of War.
2. A legal framework for the Ordinance of Secession.
3. An emphasis that the true power of governance rests with the states.
4. An argument position that non-slave owning states had no right to permit escaped slaves to find asylum in those states.
5. A list of grievances noting that other states were seeking to negate the rights of the 14 states who would become the Confederacy.
6. An affirmation of the right to self governance.

On April 12, 1861 the hot war began with the firing on Fort Sumter. Before it was over 620,000 people died, property loss was in the millions and 4 million slaves became emancipated. No one can predict what might have happened without the war, but it is safe to say that the Ordinance of Secession set in motion forces which in later years led to the eventual civil rights movement and the re-emergence of Charleston as one of the finest cities in the world in which to see and live with unprecedented excellent historic preservation. Just imagine that Charleston could just as easily be an eastern transportation hub with dozens of glass towers and no historic homes and buildings!

Reported by Fred Sales, Keyway Committee

Rotary International Eradicating Polio

Nov. 30, 2010: The Historic Charleston Rotary Club was treated to an impressive and memorable review of how Rotary International continues in its time-honored work to combat and eradicate the planet of Polio.

Ed was at ease in his environment given his many connections throughout Charleston and South Carolina. Earlier in the year, he responded to the strong missionary call from within that took him to Nigeria in March 2010, where he helped in the distribution of polio vaccine and the education of the disease in remote parts of that nation.

As we all know, combating polio is the No. 1 humanitarian goal of Rotary. To remind us of the devastating effects of the disease, Ed shared images of polio sufferers from the 1950s and 1960s, enduring the crude support of the Iron Lung machine and those memorable leg-braces, wheel chairs and more.

In 1985, Rotary International launched an aggressive program, PolioPlus, with a goal to eradicate the planet of the disease by 2005. And, while we’ve not yet fully achieved our goal, the statistics of the battle are impressive:

* To date, $800 million has been raised under PolioPlus.
* More than 2 billion children in 122 countries have been immunized.
* In 2008, nearly 1600 cases were reported; in 2009 we counted 1,424 cases, and to date this year we count 799.

A new goal for Rotary is to raise $200 million by June 2012 that will match the $355 million grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

A HARSH REALITY
Ed provided us a brief tour of his travels through Nigeria, including stirring images of villagers, old and young, living with the disease. Many of us, I’m sure shared the chilling feeling of how easy it is to forget that most of us walk, eat, drink and work without a care for these basic abilities. Many of the sufferers live their lives on the ground, crawling about on their forearms.

He closed by reminding the rapt audience how powerful diversity within Rotary can be and is a signature for our success. Living in support of diversity helps us transcend political, religious and cultural boundaries.

Once again, during this wonderful holiday season, let’s remember those less fortunate in our gestures, generosity and prayers. Here’s to Service Above Self…

Submitted by Mark Danes, Keyway Committee

Martha Meeker – Joint Base Charleston

Nov. 23, 2010: Jim Geffert introduced the speaker mentioning that the base has over 21,000 employees and that Martha had been in the Air Force for 23 years. The base is one of only 12 joint bases in the world and that it is a model base around the world. Col. Meeker began by saying that: “It is our goal to not just be a presence in the community, but to be a part of the community.”

Some statistics that she quoted are that the base is 23,000 acres or 37 square miles in size. There are 38 miles of railroad and 14 miles of shore line. The base is the largest employer in the low country. They have 3 miles of runway. It is the Army’s busiest delivery battalion. 79,364 people are supported by the base. The payroll is $4.36 billion annually. Their budget is 172 million. They’ve done $373.1 million in major construction. She said that she sees herself and her role as much like that of a mayor … she promotes the base and gets to brag about it.

Four major organizations are under her leadership as well: The nuclear Navy training command starts here in Charleston at the old shipyard; They house the Navy munitions command center; They house the corrections facility, of brig., where they make an effort to re-habilitate prisoners; The average rate of recidivism in society is 70%, whereas at the brig. it’s only 25%; SPAWAR communications systems, providing advanced communications technology and logistics in every military vehicle used today. Those systems are installed here in Charleston.

Other stats. she quoted are that 35% of all military materials go through Charleston ports or the airport. Also, much of the military’s materials and supplies are stored in Charleston. We have the #1 airlift operation in the world. The C-17 was born in Charleston and more of those planes are located here than anywhere else in the world. Recruitment is up. Over 800 attempted to get into the Air Force last year and did not get in. They and others are attempting to do so again this year.

Col. Meeker said that she is dedicated to making the base the best that it can be. To do so, she has developed a three prong strategy: Develop a master plan for the weapons station; Award $100 million in contracts in 2011; Develop an enhanced use lease system.

Col. Meeker has also developed a program entitled: “Carolina Canines for Veteran’s”
* 30,000 veteran’s have been wounded in Iraq or Afghanistan.
* 200+ veteran’s with PTSD are on a wait list for a dog.
* Having a dog is considered to be a medical treatment.

Respectfully submitted by William Christian, Keyway Committee

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McLean tells “A Marine Story”

Nov. 16, 2010 – Bestselling author Jack McLean described to Rotarians how he started Harvard in 1968 as the college’s first Vietnam veteran following a tour of duty that had interludes of ferocious combat.

At Harvard just two weeks after being discharged, McLean found registration “simply manageable, almost quaint.”

Registration was in Memorial Hall, a building erected to remember Union soldiers who died in the Civil War.

“There didn’t seem to be any sentiment to remember those who died in Vietnam,” he recalled. “Few sons of Harvard would serve, let alone die, in Vietnam.”

McLean said he quickly learned how his combat service in a war increasingly unpopular was perceived.

“Few, if any people, at Harvard cared about military service. I barely mentioned it.”

After a successful business career, McLean got in touch with his company commander some 25 years after being discharged. The experience and emotion generated from the contact led to an effort put the war in perspective. He and his captain also decided to find surviving members of Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division.

Ten years later, McLean wrote “Loon: A Marine Story” to memorialize the company and his fallen comrades. Medal of Honor winner and Rotarian Jim Livingston, who introduced McLean and served around the same time in another Marine unit, described McLean’s memoir and his “baptism under fire.”

“‘Loon’ refers to the mountain landing zone where the climactic three-day battle of the book occurs, where, as Jack tells it, ‘for those three days in June 1968, Charlie and Delta companies were the war in Vietnam.'”

McLean, who answered several questions about the process that spurred him to write the book, signed copies after the meeting.

Prior to his talk, Peg Eastman of Military Assistance Providers asked Rotarians to support its “Be a Buddy” program to help active-duty service members, veterans and their families have successful reintegration into the community following their overseas duty. More: www.MilitaryAssistanceProviders.org.

Rotarian Tom Sweeny also told members that a Veteran of the Month would be honored on Nov. 30.

Submitted by Andy Brack, Keyway Committee

Play Hard and Play to Win – The Citadel Basketball Program

Nov. 9, 2010: Rotary member, Ed Vaughan introduced today’s speaker, the Citadel’s new head basketball coach, Charles “Chuck” Driesell with a brief personal and professional bio. Born and raised in Maryland, Chuck attended the University of Maryland where his father, Charles Grice “Lefty” Driesell, was the head basketball coach. Chuck was a four-year letter winner and Academic All-ACC. Ed noted Chuck’s coaching highlights including winning seasons at James Madison, Marymount University and Maryland.

Chuck began his presentation remarking on the 2 main differences between and Maryland and Charleston: the weather and the color blue. Charleston’s warm weather has been a confusing adjustment as cold weather always meant basketball season in Maryland. But with a closet of new blue shirts and elimination Terrapin red, there’s no question Bulldog basketball season is days away.

Chuck’s relationship with The Citadel began years ago as a high school senior weighing the options of Bulldogs versus Terrapins. Ultimately, the idea of uniforms and early mornings convinced Chuck to attend Maryland. 29 years later, he has inherited a team of uniformed, early rising basketball players. A team, he believes, has the discipline and skill to deliver a winning season.

The Citadel’s rising starts include Cameron Wells, a Citadel senior and “special player”, Zach Urbanus , the all-time leader in Citadel 3 point history and Austin Dahn, a “smart player” predicted to have a “break out year.” Chuck explained that with the combination of Wells, Urbanus, Dahn and “pick up players,” his “inside – out” system will deliver success. The “pick up players” are 5th year eligible transfer students who have the crucial size to play with their backs to the basket. Their addition to the team is invaluable as Chuck noted, “you can’t teach size.”

Chuck’s “play hard, play to win” mentality and excitement for the season and his players was evident as he encouraged the audience to attend their 13 home games and fill the Field House’s 6,000 seats. Chuck’s 16 players are only part of his team; his newly hired staff provides the discipline and role models each player needs to apply the “play hard, play to win” attitude for their lives on and off the basketball court.

During the Q&A session, Chuck answered the following questions:

Q: Best game you ever watched? A: When Jordan scored 61 points at the Boston Gardens.

Q: What will the team look like next season? A: 8 seniors lost in 2011 but 7 freshman gained in 2010

Q: Difference coaching military players? A: 1) Manage time; 2) Work around player’s schedules; and 3) Watch health and weight of players who have less sleep than the average college student

Q: Community involvement? A: The players and coaches are only “a phone call away” and are always willing to speak at schools, organizations, etc.

Q: Family relocated? A: Yes, living in Mt. Pleasant with one daughter at Wando and one at Laing.

Q: Difficult adjusting to a “football town”? A: No, you find out what you have and sell it hard, and I’ve been pleasantly surprised.

Reported by Teal Van Saun, Keyway Committee