Rotarian Jimbo Dominey was in charge of the November 21, 2023, McRae Rotary Club Program.
In honor of Veteran’s Day, he told the club a story about his favorite Veteran, his father. Brother Jimbo is also a Veteran having served in the Army National Guard, and he remembers his father telling this story to his congregation when he was serving in Washington County.
John R. Dominey was a Staff Sergeant in the U.S. Army Air Force. He enlisted in 1943 and was honorably discharged in 1945. He served as an Airplane Armorer Gunner (Ball Turret Gunner) on a B-24J Liberator Bomber in World War II. He flew in 18 combat missions over the enemy occupied territories of Austria, Hungary, Yugoslavia, and Germany. The Ball Turret Gunner was considered the most dangerous job on the crew and had a 60% mortality rate.
John detailed their final mission in a short story entitled “The Last Mission of Roger the Lodger,” and Jimbo shared this story with the club. Their crew was on a mission over Linz, Austria when they were notified of enemy flak (anti-aircraft artillery). Roger the Lodger was struck, and one crew member was hit and wounded by the flack, but all were able to parachute out of the aircraft and survived. John details what it was like for the plane to receive a direct hit and know they were likely going to die. He began to recite the Lord’s Prayer but knew he might not have time to finish it, so he asked God if there would be a place for him when he died. At that time, he recalled feeling a peace that transcended all understanding. Though the crew survived the crash, most were then captured and interned in prisoner of war camps. John Dominey was a Prisoner of War in Wells, Austria from 4/25-5/5/1945.
Jimbo also shared his father’s love of poetry with the group. There was one poem that John knew by heart and often recited called “The Cremation of Sam McGee” by Robert W. Service. Jimbo finished his program by reciting this poem. There is a mural in McRae-Helena which features Roger the Lodger with John Dominey’s name.
Interested in joining Rotary? Come to a meeting! We meet every Tuesday at Noon at the Little Ocmulgee State Park.
It’s Rotary Foundation Month!! McRae Rotary Club was visited by District 6920’s Foundation Chair, Hamsa Thota, at their November 7th, 2023 meeting!
He spoke to the club about the good The Rotary Foundation is doing around the world! There are currently 1.2 million Rotarians. With access to the Foundation through District and Global Grants, they can come together for a common good when a need presents itself anywhere in the world! In the last 10 years, our district has supported 41 Global Grant projects in 14 countries! These grants have supported projects like providing clean water in Malawi, 2 sustainable water well projects in Bolivia, supporting reading and literacy in Haiti, and providing the gift of mobility in India with the donation of 500 hand-cranked tricycles. Not all Global Grants are for projects overseas. One impactful project is happening right here in Georgia.
Did you know that 13% of Georgians have no health insurance? Rotary and MAP International have partnered to deliver life-saving medicines at no cost to patients. The program launched in 2017 and was supported by 28 Rotary Clubs, the program serves 7 community clinics in Georgia. So far, 4,283 Patients have been served over 10,026 treatments and $548,000 in medicines and supplies have been delivered. The medications are for chronic diseases such as: hypertension, diabetes, cholesterol, and asthma.
After the program, a pinning ceremony was held honoring 9 members of McRae Rotary Club who’ve recently become Paul Harris Fellows. Congratulations to Mr. Terry Cook, Rev. Jimbo Dominey, Mr. Brian Fowler, Mrs. Caila Hart, Mr. Robert Herndon, Mrs. BreAnna McLaughlin, Mr. Jimmy Outlaw, Mrs. Melanie Pilkinton, and our own Foundation Chair, Mr. Earl Merrit! It was an honor to have Hamsa come speak to us about the power of Rotary during Rotary Foundation Month and to pin our newest Paul Harris Fellows!
Interested in joining Rotary? Come to a meeting! We meet every Tuesday at Noon at the Little Ocmulgee State Park.
