The weekly meeting was called to order at 12:05 pm by President Randy Hendricks. Eunice Currie led with the Prayer and Pledge. Everyone sang a beautiful rendition of “God Bless America.” Visiting guests and Rotarians were introduced by Tommy Thompson.
Randy reminded us to report volunteer hours and to sign up to lead the prayer and pledge and to be greeters. Additionally, Randy encouraged us to utilize social media to report on our club’s activities and reminded us that there will be no meeting on November 27.
The following announcements were made:
- Please Adopt an Angel from the Salvation Army Angel Tree and support this very worthwhile opportunity. 50,000 children from the FWD area have signed up for this charity.
- The Christmas Party is December 7, 2025, beginning at 5:30 p.m. at the UPAC Dance Studio. Cost is $45. Contact Karina Cassell for more information.
- The Rotary Foundation raised $569 million in 2025. The Rotary Foundation is a nonprofit corporation that supports the efforts of Rotary International to achieve world understanding and peace through humanitarian, educational and culture exchange programs.
- Opera Arlington will present Hansel & Gretel in Mansfield at the Farr Best Theater on November 29 and 30, 2025. The shows will begin at 7:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m., respectively. The presentation will also be performed on December 6 and 7, 2025 at 201 West Main Street, Arlington, Texas. Times for the shows are 7:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m., respectively.
- Rotary will be attending Holmes for the Holidays at Theatre Arlington on Thursday, December 18, 2025, at 7:30 p.m. The address for Theatre is 305 West Main Street, Arlington, Texas 76010.
- The 43rd Annual Arlington Margarita Ball will be held on Saturday, November 22, 2025, beginning at 7:00 p.m. at Live! By Loews Ballroom. This is the 43rd anniversary of the Margarita Ball and admission is a gift for Toys for Tots.
- The Arlington Historical Society presents the Hometown Holidays Tour of Homes on December 7, 2025. The family-friendly self-guided tour highlights Arlington’s holiday charm, architectural beauty and festive spirit.
We inducted Rebecca Barksdale as our newest member. Tommy Thompson presented Rebecca with her Rotary badge and pin. We extend a very warm welcome to Rebecca.
Mac led us in singing “Let There be Peace on Earth.” Harlene Wood and Sy Miller wrote the song in 1955. They initially wrote the song for the International Children’s Choir in Long Beach, California.
Randy announced birthdays and anniversaries. Celebrating birthdays are Sheri Quick, Kris Landrith, Scott Hendricks, Shirley Cox, Blake Wade and Chris Church. Celebrating an anniversary is Cindy Salter.
Stacy Bridger announced the program, “Arlington Veterans Memorial Park.” The program was led by Clete McAlister and Joseph Carpenter.
Clete is a proud graduate of Arlington High School and UTA. He is a Marine Corps veteran who served as a combat squad leader in Vietnam. Clete had a long and distinguished career in local government in Houston and Tarrant County. Clete volunteered with the Arlington Planning and Zoning Commission and the Arlington Parks and Recreation Board. Clete was instrumental in legislation creating the Tarrant County 9-1-1 Emergency District in 1985.
Joseph Carpenter is an oral historian and documentrian with the UTA Department of History and Geography. He served eight years in the United States Air Force Medical Corps and is a veteran of Desert Storm. He holds a B.A. and M.A. in history from UTA. As an oral historian for UTA and Texas Tech University’s Vietnam Center and Archive, he has documented the experiences of U. S. veterans and presented award winning research at major historical conferences.
Arlington Veterans Memorial Park was established in 1967. The park consists of 103 acres with open land and wooded areas. Lt. Colonel James W. Persons, a Vietnam veteran, and Bronze Star recipient was responsible for creating The Arlington Veterans Park Foundation along with the Great Southwest Rotary Club. Mr. Persons was the first president of the Foundation and raised funds to design and create memorials for veterans of the numerous wars and conflicts of the United States.
The first phase of the memorial was to raise three flag poles. The second phase was to create the park’s first memorial. The third phase was the creation of a fountain, colonnades and emblems for each branch of service. In 2007, the flag poles were erected. In 2008 the first memorial was completed. This memorial was a bronze statue of a WWII soldier designed to honor all veterans.
Albert Ross became the second president of the foundation after the passing of Lt. Colonel persons in 2009. During Albert’s tenure as president, a memorial was constructed to honor South Vietnamese soldiers and was dedicated in 2016. Albert passed in 2018, and our own Clete McAlister became the third foundation president.
A Korean War memorial has been constructed in the park. Additionally, a Memorial to the Fallen has been installed in the park. It contains 105 names of people from Arlington who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. 50 names from WWII, 28 names from the Vietnam war, 9 names from WWI, 6 names from the Korean war, and 12 names from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. A memorial for women that have served in the military is under consideration.
The Arlington Rotary Club has had two major fundraisers to support the foundation. The Arlington Heroes’ Run and the Arlington Field of Honor. The Field of Honor displays 911 American flags at the park and seeks individuals to sponsor each flag. This event has raised significant funds for the foundation.
The current president of the foundation is Colonel Jim C Quick. For more information and to view the video presentation, visit the Park's web site.
We donated a book to the Webb Elementary Library in honor Clete and Joe.
Kris Landrith provided the last laugh.
Our next meeting’s program will be on December 4, 2026 with the Martin High School Show Choir.
The quote for this week: “War is a racket. It always has been”. – Major General Smedley D. Butler.
Randy thanked the special guests and everyone else for coming. He then led us in the Four Way Test, and we were adjourned.
