The eight southwest metro Rotary clubs hosted our annual Rotary salute to veterans on Friday, Nov. 11, at Bearpath Golf and Country Club in Eden Prairie. Greeters for our club were Shelly LobergScott MacDonald and Brad Hepp. Helping sign in guests and members at the front desk were San Asato and Marty Kupper. 
 
District 5950 Governor Mark Hegstrom welcomed the more than 250 Rotarians and guests and introduced Edina Rotarian Brigadier General Dennis Schulstad (Ret) as the emcee for the program promptly at 11:30 a.m.

After the Presentation of the Colors by the Chanhassen American Legion Post No. 80 Color Guard, our emcee led the Pledge of Allegiance.  The Rotary Brass Quintet, led by Edina Morningside Rotarian Mary Brindle, accompanied us in our National Anthem. Chaplain Lt. Col. Jerome Fehn then gave the invocation. 

Following lunch, our emcee introduced Sen. Amy Klobuchar, who gave a salute to our veterans. She noted that while we have just finished one of the most difficult elections of our time, we must focus on things that bring us together, not what divides us. Patriotism is a good example—it is the love of country that brings us together. 

Emcee Schulstad asked all of the veterans present to stand as their service song was played. The highlight occurred when he asked the four WWII vets to stand and be recognized. That quartet included our own Edina Rotarian Harold Hanson.  They were greeted by a standing ovation from everyone in the room.  
 
 
 
He then introduced our keynote speaker, Brigadier General Sandra Best. She is the first female general in the history of the Minnesota Air National Guard, and comes from a family of service veterans. Her grandfather served in WWI in1918.
 
General Best emphasized several key points:
 
  • Service in the military parallels our Rotary motto—Service Above Self.
  • We need to also recognize our veterans’ families.
  • Many more women are now serving in the military.
  • 22.8 percent of Minnesota Air National Guard and 17 percent of Minnesota Army National Guard are women.
  • We work to separate the politics from the participants.
  • Memorial Day is a time for somber remembrance.
  • Veterans Day is a time of triumph.
Our emcee thanked the speaker and ended the program at 1:05 p.m. after the Colors were retired.