On a picture perfect Seattle summer afternoon at Bell Harbor, President Kim rang the bell that officially called to order the Seattle 4 Rotary Club luncheon. President Kim summarized the importance of a very special custom that has been embraced by Seattle dating back 70 years: Seafair.

 

The Seattle Rotary Club officially welcomed the Navy to Seattle, which has become a Seafair tradition. Jimmy Collins introduced the Navy Band Northwest and Evan Vis sang the national anthems of the United States and Canada. Jimmy Collins then introduced the members of the Brass Quartet: Michael Bream, Darryl Forney, Mike Donaldson and Trevor Currie.

 

Nick Anderson presented our Inspiration for the Day with memories of Seafair:

 

 

 

Jimmy Collins introduced the representatives of the services:

 

Rear Admiral Jack Vogt, Commander of the US Coast Guard District 13, his wife Mary Vogt, Command Master Chief Jason Wong and Chief of Staff Megan Dean.

 

Representing the Blue Water Navy: Rear Admiral Yvettes, Commander Carrier Strike Group 11 and Command Senior Chief Laking Brooks.

 

Rear Admiral Scott Gray and Commander Navy Region NW and Mrs. Candy Gray and Command Master Chief Ted Calcaterra were also recognized.

 

Captain Christopher Peschke, Chief of Staff, Maritime Forces of the Pacific Royal Canadian Navy was also in attendance.

 

Jimmy Collins then introduced Jeff Davis, Navy League Seattle Council and Co-chair of Seafair Fleet Week and Steve Keith, Navy League Council President, who went on to recognize Sea Services Personnel of the Year:

 

Commanding Officer, Jim O’Mara

Executive Officer, Jayme Dubinsky

Command Master Chief, Jeff Thompson

Cory Humak, Enlisted Person of the Year

Garrett Gilchrist, Sailor of the Quarter

Commanding Officer, Captain Robert Bryans

Executive Officer, William Fensterer

Command Master Chief, Nicholas Berryman

Brandon P. Tifft, Junior Sailor of the Year

 

Officers and Sailors of the Canadian Ship Edmonton were acknowledged:

Tony LeFresne, Commanding Officer

Shawn Malone, Senior Sailor of the Year

James Coutu, Junior Sailor of the Year

 

President Kim recognized visiting Rotarians and guests and then introduced past president and current Seattle Rotarian Dorothy Bullitt.  Dorothy said she is a Daughter of the Confederacy.  Her great grandfather who owned slaves, fought for the Confederate army and spent time as a POW in a Union jail.  Dorothy’s ancestral farm in Oxmoor, Kentucky has been preserved as an historical landmark. She used this history to urge Rotarians to examine the American history of race. Jeff Robinson will address race and the United States at Town Hall on Aug. 21^st from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Jeff will meet with Rotarians for further discussion immediately afterward.

 

Jon Bridge a Rotarian for 31 years, introduced Rear Admiral Yvette Davids who is the first Latina to command a Navy vessel. She is Commander of the Carrier Strike Group 11, stationed in Everett.

 

Rear Admiral Davids expressed her thanks to the Seattle Rotary for inviting her to participate in the program. She then went on to talk about what that means.   She said the major function of the Navy is the protection of the homeland, allies, expanding national influence, protecting prosperity and guarding trade routes, She said each sailor takes the Navy’s motto seriously: Forged by the Sea.

 

Rear Admiral Davids said that 70% of the earth is covered by water and that more than 90% of commerce is conducted by the sea. She asked the audience to ponder how important these facts are for our safety and our well-being in the Puget Sound region. Part of the Navy’s job is to protect communication and internet cables buried at sea.  She showed a short video of the Navy’s story. She again thanked the Seattle Rotary and for the welcome the Navy receives when they participate in Fleet Week.  Recruiting, she said, is made easier when the recruits make visits to a place like Puget Sound.  Rear Admiral Davids expressed appreciation to Seattle and specifically the Seattle Rotarians for embracing Fleet Week.

 

Beth Knox, former CEO of Seafair from 2005-2015, introduced a panel to discuss their personal memories of Seafair.

 

Ron Sims, former King County Executive and Secretary for HUD under President Obama, recounted his early involvement with Seafair. Ron was a former Seafair Prime Minister. He spoke of the pure excitement of Seafair.  He said there was nothing more exciting than the parade itself and his vivid memory  of people just---smiling.  

 

Mona Lee Locke, former local TV news anchor, successful business executive and First Lady of Washington State, spoke about her days of involvement with Seafair. Mona said that the thrill of being Queen Alcyone was truly her best experience because she got to wear a jeweled crown. She said having access to a red corvette for the summer was pretty special too. Mona said that the greatest contribution that Seafair makes to the community is that it brings parents, kids, and different generations together.  

 

Eric Corning, current Seafair CEO, talked about the history of Seafair that began in 1950.  Business executives created Seafair to boost tourism in Seattle.  Eric said that the actual legacy of Seafair has been that it has and continues to strengthen Seattle and the local communities.

 

President Kim was knighted by the current Seafair Queen Kim Holcomb.  Kim is now officially Seafair royalty and her new title is Duchess Kim: Champion of Seattle.

 

President Kim closed the Seattle 4 Rotary Club luncheon by saying,“Seafair is a time-honored tradition where we join together with our military friends to celebrate our shared community, civic pride, and our wealth of natural resources. By being here today, you have helped us continue the Seafair legacy.”