BRIARCRIER
August 30, 2013
– Friday 12:15, The Briar's Restaurant, Briarcliff Manor Rotary
Club.
TODAY IN
HISTORY
1982:
Academy award winner Ingrid Bergman died in London on her 67th
birthday.
MEETING
LEADER – Past-President Kris Chittur
PLEDGE
– Sy Yuter PATRIOTIC SONG
– Sy Yuter
PRAYER – Rev. Lee Carrozzi
HAPPY
THOUGHTS AND BUCKS: Dr. Bob Amsterdam, wants replacement for
his lost German Shepherd; Ken Shimazu, family wedding last week;
Speaker, for welcoming me.
GUESTS:
None
ROTARIANS
PRESENT AND ANNOUNCEMENTS - 15 Rotarians present. Via Ernie,
Community Day is September 7. Get-well card to Anne Cargill.
Condolences to Prof. Kaushik on the loss of his wife.
SPEAKER
AND SUBJECT – What Marines Do by Charles Paksi
Prof. Paksi with ex president Ernie
SUMMARY
OF TALK
SALVATORE
SFERRAZZA deployed to Afghanistan from AUG2010 to MAR2011. He served
as a Guardian Angel Team Commander, leading 5 pararescuemen.
He
led his team during numerous personnel recovery and combat casualty
evacuation missions, including a dive mission to recover a Marine
blown into a canal by an improvised explosive device. His team also
conducted the first blood transfusion by a Guardian Angel unit on
board a helicopter, saving a Marine who had lost both legs.
But
it was the mission on November 24, 2010 that would truly test Captain
Sferrazza’s mettle. That day, he faced one of his toughest
missions―to rescue a Marine who had sustained a life-threatening
gunshot wound while on dismounted patrol in the Helmand River valley.
With the firefight still raging and no secure helicopter landing
zone, Captain Sferrazza chose to insert his team in a remote location
to reduce the aircraft’s exposure to gunfire.
Once
on the ground, Captain Sferrazza quickly led his team to the wounded
Marine. He deftly navigated across 100 meters of open terrain with
limited cover and no mine detection devices, positioning himself in
front of his team to shield them from incoming fire. Reaching the
injured Marine, Captain Sferrazza assisted his lead pararescue medic
and quickly prepared the Marine for evacuation. All the while, he
maintained radio contact with the insertion aircraft, sending vital
updates about the ongoing firefight and threats on the ground. Once
the Marine was ready for evacuation, he led his team back through the
harrowing 100-meter stretch of open terrain.
Captain
Sferrazza’s gallant actions and disregard for his own safety
throughout the mission ensured the survival of the wounded Marine.
Throughout his deployment, Captain Sferrazza flew 315 missions, saved
60 service members, and treated more than 450 others.
For
his selfless actions and leadership, Captain Sferrazza was awarded
the Air Force Commendation Medal with Valor.
This
Friday at The Briar's Restaurant -- Youth Exchange Program
by Roger Swanson
Elinor
Yuter, Reporter
Rachel
Leihbacher, Expediter
