ROTARY INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT 6760
District Governor International President
Larry Boyd Dong Kurn Lee
Brentwood, Tennessee Seoul, Korea
Today, we welcome a man who is well known to all of us, as a fellow Rotarian and our State Representative for the 77th district of the Great State of Tennessee. Phillip Pinion has held the representative’s seat for our district since 1988, and as all of you know he is not seeking re-election to another term.
Phillip has served his district well, as he has been a part of many accomplishments over the past 20 years, and has many more projects on the table for the near future.
Today Phillip is expected to fill us in on the accomplishments of the 105th General Assembly, which adjourned on May 21st, 2008. We can also expect to hear from some of the projects which are in progress now, or are to begin in the near future, including Cates Landing, I-69 , Spillway , and Highway construction on the table for our area.
Phillip was selected the Pride of Obion County in 1996, Legislator of the Year, National Association of the Self-Employed in 1992, Outstanding Alumni Bethel College, in 1992 and Legislator of the Year, Tennessee Developmental District in 1996.
Union City Rotary wishes to extend our "Thanks and appreciation" for a job-well-done while representing the 77th district.
Next Week, we can expect to be mesmerized for the entire meeting, as Bill Tanner will return to the speakers slot with more of his fascinating stories of his experiences during World War II.
Bill, as you know, is becoming a member of a more and more elite group, as some of the last surviving soldiers of this Great War. He has entertained us before on this subject, and had no trouble at all holding the attention of his audience.
Bill was born Jan. 9, 1919. He started school at Houser Valley Academy with one teacher, seven grades, and a pot bellied stove all in one room. Played football and basketball for Union City 1935-1937. He graduated from U.T. Knoxville in 1941 with a commission as 2nd Lt. and went straight into the 9th Infantry Division at Fort Bragg, N.C.
He married Doris, who also has some stories of her own concerning this war, March 19, 1942, went overseas in October, 1942 and didn’t see his bride for three years.
Bill and Doris have two children, three grandchildren and three great grandchildren. Bill said his grandson has taken over the farming operation and now it’s just him and his computer.
Last Week,
Rotary members Ron Green and Clay Woods along with guests visited Union City Rotary and informed us of the mission and responsibilities of North West Tennessee Boys and Girls Club of Union City.
Ron said the mission of the club was "to inspire all young people, especially the ones who need us most, to realize and live up to their full potential".
There were members of the club present who talked about the advantages of the club, and how it is inspiring them in different ways such as involvement with other children and keeping them active in many positive and character building activities.
Ron then brought staff member and former Union City High School stand-out basketball player Antawn Coby to the microphone and asked him to elaborate on what the Boy’s and Girl’s Club had meant to him over the years. Antawn said he first used the club as a place to just hang-out play basketball and keep him off the street, but soon found out that the staff was there for other reasons too, he found out that the staff was really concerned about his character and the character of others attending, they were making sure we stayed in school, keeping our grades up and getting an education he said. He also said he was surprised to find himself as a staff member now and is truly enjoying helping younger kids the same way he was helped during his time as a member of the club.
Ron then spoke to Rotary, expressing his appreciation not only to our club, but also to the many individuals who have given not only their time, but also monetarily to the advancement of the local club. He also expressed his gratitude for being able to be a role model for so many kids who are not as fortunate as others in the community, and to be able to place a certain amount of hope into these kids lives.
He spoke of the apprehension he had of up-rooting his family and moving them to Union City, not knowing anyone here and starting a new life. He said he soon overcame that, by meeting and enjoying the people of our community and the many he could truly call his friends, and when they introduced him as their friend he knew they truly meant it.
Aug. 1 - Mike Taylor, SEC Football Official
Aug. 18 - Lee Fry, Dixie Gun Works
