Bob Burkman’s Prayer
It is a beautiful day, Lord. Thank You for spring, the season of Your expression of joy. Let every blooming tree and flower remind us of Your grace. Let each sunny day bring light to our souls. As we spring ahead, let these months give birth to warm thoughts and kind gestures. May this season bring joy and light, peace and prosperity, and a spirit in full bloom.
Amen
By-Laws Updates Approved
Proposed changes to the Optimist Club of Centerville-Noon by-laws were voted on today and they were approved my unanimous consent. The revised by-laws will be sent to Optimist International for final approval and then be posted on the website.
Announcements
- Joan Cordonnier announced that the annual community Egg Hunt will be held on March 30, 2024, at Oak Grove Park. There will be 8000 eggs distributed into multiple age group lanes and about 250 kids will pick them all up in about 5 minutes. Volunteers are needed the day of the event from 8:30 to 10:30 AM. Sign up using the Member Calendar.
- Jane Fiehrer announced that the 2024 Visual Arts contest is open. Let young people and parents of young people know about the contest for drawings and paintings. Details are on the website.
- Nancy Lehren said the next Build-a-Bear will be on April 17, 2024, at the YWCA downtown. The time is from 4 PM to 6 PM. Sign up using the Member Calendar.
- Tom Novak announced that in two weeks he needs 40 volunteers to call 10 people who have not yet renewed their flag subscriptions. They have a simple script for you to use when you reach a person or reach their voicemail. Reach out to Tom to help. He said it will take about an hour of your time.
- Mike Bevis announced that the 32nd Tom Frazier Tee Off for Youth Golf Outing will be on July 15, 2024. The committee is looking for your help to find sponsors. Try asking your insurance person or dentist for example. They also need several more volunteers to help on the day of the event.
- Sue Brubaker announced that she is still collecting books for ladies at St. Vincient shelter and for kids that live in Chevy Chase. Bring them to the next meeting on March 26, 2024.
USO, Erik Oberg
Joan Cordonnier introduced Erik Oberg, the Center Operations and Programs Manager at USO Wright-Patterson AFB, where he has been a staff member since 2019. He oversees a staff of two and over eighty volunteers in operating the Wright-Patterson USO Center, which is visited by thousands of service members and family members annually; and in delivering USO programs that boost morale and build connections within the military community. He also oversees operations at the USO center inside the Cincinnati Airport. In the summer of 2023, he also managed the operation of a busy USO center at Camp Grayling, Michigan.
Erik is an Air Force veteran. He grew up as an Air Force kid and spent 21 more years as an Air Force spouse, raising two Air Force kids of his own. He holds degrees from Duke University and The Ohio State University and is a proud Eagle Scout.
Slides
The slide deck has more information than is listed in this article.
You can view the slide deck of the presentation here.
USO ​Mission
To strengthen the well-being of the people serving in America’s military and their families.
Since its founding in 1941, the USO, a private, nonprofit organization, has served the people of the United States military and their families throughout their time in uniform from the moment they join through their deployments and as they transition back to their communities.
Presentation
Erik Oberg said he comes from a hub of positivity and hard work, and it is great to be speaking to an organization that is also a hub of positivity and hard work. He thanked CNO for being very supportive of USO Wright-Patterson AFB for at least the past 7 years.
The United Service Organizations (USO) was founded by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, who asked 6 organizations (Salvation Army, YMCA, YWCA, National Catholic Community Service, National Travelers Aid Association and the National Jewish Welfare Board) to come together to thank our military during WWII. The USO went away for a short time after WWII, but then new wars started and it came back as its own organization and kept the original name of USO.
The USO is charted by Congress and the Department of Defense. This distinction gives the USO the authority to operate on military bases, even though they are not a military agency.
They run lounges that let military personnel relax and disconnect. They might play video games, for example. There are numerous services and programs. They also hold talent contests, balls and have parties for deployment sendoffs and the holidays.
Remember that we are all connected to your phones. Deployed military personnel are not always allowed to have their phones. USO centers provide phones and Wi-Fi which give a way for people to connect with their families.
USO Global Impact in 2022
The USO organization is big on data collection.
- The USO has over 250 US locations in 38 states and 28 countries
- USO services are delivered in 143 countries and 54 states and territories (includes mobile USO centers)
- There were 5.8 million center visits
- There were 4.5 million program participants
- They received a 99% satisfaction rating
Global Outlook for 2023/24
Twenty new USO facilities were added. They have staffed and unstaffed centers in Eastern Europe including Ukraine and Poland. Key US bases include Fort Moore and Camp Lejune. There are USO centers on two aircraft carriers. Services are also delivered in Greenland and Honduras.
There were 853,000 unique service personnel and family members using USO services which is a 10% increase.
There were 19,324 volunteers assisting with center operations and programs.
USO Core Programs
Erik said there is so much to say about what the USO does. He could have easily talked for an hour today. He said to check out the slide of USO Core programs. Here are a few programs of note:
- USO Canine Program, a bond like no other
- USO Entertainment, first-class entertainment presented worldwide
- USO Centers, a home away from home
- USO Holidays, celebrating the holidays, no matter how far from home
- USO Special Delivery, celebrating growing military families
USO Dayton Airport Closing
Erik was asked why the USO Dayton Airport was closed. He said it was a very sad day. Several centers have been closed as resources were sent to Ukraine, Romania and others.
Thank you CNO
Erik thanked CNO for the $2500 donated for the Merry and Bright program at USO Wright-Patterson AFB in December 2023, which put happy faces on 160 kids.
The USO could not provide what they do without the generosity of numerous volunteers and community supporters.
Thank You
Thank you, Erik Oberg, for educating us about the services of the USO Wright-Patterson AFB Center.
Welcome Guests
| Guest | Guest Of |
| Aaron Earlywine | Mike Bevis |
| Cathy Southam | Suzanne Werts |
| Cindy Lowndes | Suzanne Werts |
| Dave Ball | In Readings |
| Diane Flick | In Readings |
| Erik Oberg | Speaker |
| Myles Kirksey | Chris McAlpione |
| Spencer Miller | Chris McAlpine |
| Lisa Tucker | Nancy Lehren |
New Member Readings and Inductions
| Name | Sponsor | 1st 2nd 3rd Reading or Induction |
| Cindy Lowndes | Suzanne Werts | 3rd Reading |
| Spencer Miller | Chris McAlpine | 3rd Reading |
| Diane Flick | Mike Bevis | Induction |
Happy Bucks
| Member | Reason |
| Dave Kay | Recently visited his mother for four days. Dave said, “As long as my mom’s around I’m just a big kid.” |
| Bob Lawson | His granddaughter is the student of the year at CHS. |
| Tom Novak | Thanked Lisa Tucker (she recently sold Bill’s Donuts and was a guest today) for providing 200 donut holes for Avenue of Flags on delivery days at flag headquarters for several years. |
| Tom Novak | Has a new super magnet that makes his name badge work with thick sweaters. |
| Ellie Parker | She said that Greg Fay is a great guy. |
| Carol Smerz and Nancy Lehren | Thanks to guest Lisa Tucker who has again donated all the hygiene items for mothers at an upcoming Build-a-Bear at the YWCA. |
| Beth Duncan | Happy to see Jesse Lightle and said you should ask her how much she likes mice. |
| Larry Lynde | Watched CHS basketball beat Moeller (ranked #1) for the second time this basketball season. CHS has delivered Moeller its only losses this season. The High School tournament starts this weekend at UD. |
| Joan Cordonnier | The friendships that you make are amazing as a CNO member. |
| Sue Brubaker | Thanked Tim Clemmer for filling in as a sergeant. |
| Sue Brubaker | Thanked Larry Lynde for filling in as a sergeant. |
Sergeants at Arms
No time for Sergeants this week
Membership Anniversaries
| Member | Joined | Years |
| Joan Cordonnier | March 22, 2008 | 16 |
Birthdays
| Larry England | March 20 |
| Shane Wilken | March 20 |
| Dana Dring | March 20 |
| Sara Hemmeter | March 21 |
| Andy Dickerson | March 21 |
| Kathy Linder | March 21 |
| Debby Moore | March 22 |
| Tom Novak | March 23 |
| John Kalaman | March 25 |
CNO Donations – Since 2013
Click here to see a summary of donations the club has made since 2013
Thank You Notes Received this week
CLICK HERE to see the Thank You Notes we received this week