TREE LOT COMMITTEE (TLC)
Tom Kramis reported that the Tree Lot committee met last Wednesday. Much of the discussion was around fixing up the Santa Haus and tree racks. Stay tuned for a mid-September work day on those items. Tom also says that the first order of Oregon trees will be put in next week. The next Tree Lot committee meeting will be July 19th.
HELPING HANDS
Tom Glazier had a quick quiz for the group - What is the only deciduous tree native to Colorado? At least 5 or 6 members shouted out “Cottonwood”, which is the correct answer. Tom said thanks to the MSOC members who helped his neighbor clear her yard of some cottonwood branches last weekend. There will be another workday this weekend which hopefully will complete the projec
CONGRATULATIONS TO A PROUD GRANDPA
Some of the guys remember Jackson, my grandson. They know he is in basic training for the U.S. Coast Guard. Well today he got his orders for the Coast Guard Honor Guard and rescue swimmer training. This is quite and honor for the young Coastie. If you have room in the GUMS I would appreciate any shout out you can give him. I am off to Minnesota on Wednesday and will gone until the first week of August.
Thanks,
Tom
Tree lot 2014
WE HONOR VETERANS
In honor of our speaker today, Tom Hoch asked for a show of hands for the military veterans in the room. On behalf of Steve Kady, he then passed out service challenge coins to each. Thank you for your service!
SPEAKER
Steve Kady introduced today’s speaker, Drew Chitiea. Steve met Drew at Centennial Airport and thought his life story would be one that our club would appreciate hearing. Drew’s message was titled “Life Lessons for an Optimistic Life”.
Drew was born in eastern Ohio in 1951, the oldest of four sons. His grandparents were Romanian immigrants, and by the time he was 18, Drew had lived in 5 states and a foreign country. While very young, he learned the first of his three tenets for life:
No matter how you feel, you have chores to do and brothers to care for. Family and work come before yourself.
Once he experienced his first flight in an airplane, Drew fell in love with the sky. After high school, he enlisted in the Air Force and became a door gunner on Hueys in Vietnam. He also served on missions rescuing downed servicemen by pulling them out of the jungle and into helicopters. Two weeks before his tour ended, the jeep he was riding in hit a mine. Everyone else in the jeep was killed, and Drew was thrown into a armored personnel carrier. He woke up 30 days later in a full body cast. He had broken 60% of the bones in his body and been shot in the chest. It took nine years for him to get a copy of the after-action report to learn what had happened. Years and years of surgery and recovery followed. He got his pilot’s license and learned that flying was good mental and physical therapy for him. He learned his second tenant of life:
I can be beaten but I will never give up and never surrender. Hard work, determination and persistence are the keys to success in life.
Drew moved to Colorado in 1980 to work with an uncle. He eventually became a commercial pilot fight instructor and starting teaching flying. He taught aerobatics and was an instructor for American Airlines. He also worked as corporate pilot and even went to Alaska as a cargo and bush pilot. He flew with the Civil Air Patrol as pilot and instructor. He does many flight examination and private pilot check flights.
Drew was afflicted with rheumatoid arthritis after his many surgeries and in the early 2000s made the difficult decision to have both of his feet amputated. He hasn’t looked back from that decision at all. He then shared his third tenant of life:
No matter what goes on, do the best you can with what you have at the time you have it.
Drew received a standing ovation from the club at the conclusion of his remarks. Thanks to Steve for introducing him to us!
This plaque was presented to Sgt Drew Chitiea
at this morning's meeting The inscription reads:
OPTIMIST CLUB OF MONACO SOUTH
HONORS
SGT DREW CHITIEA
FOR
Heroism and Valor as an American Patriot
and Living by the Ideals of the Optimist Creed
"To be so Strong that Nothing Can Disturb your Peace of Mind
Presented the 23rd Day of June 2023
Greeters Phil Perington and Allen Malask had warm smiles and hearty handshakes for each and every attendee of our weekly meeting. Heavy rain, hail and tornados didn’t dampen attendance or the enthusiasm of the men of Monaco South on this Friday morning, June 23rd, 2023.
We had two guests! Matt Dollarhide joined us this morning, a guest of Tom Glazier. Matt is a handyman who lives nearby and is married with two kids. Matt and Tom met at a gas station after a Friday morning meeting. 
Rick Morrissey, an engineer and CU grad, is also a guest of Tom’s. Rick is the brother of Robin Morrissey from the Thomas Jefferson High School band. He says he is happy to be in attendance. And we are happy to have you Rick! Thanks to Tom for extending these invitations!
etag - After a slight bit of confusion regarding the pronunciation of his name and the location of his name badge, Jack Kleinheksel made the most of his opportunity and emerged A WINNER! Jack found the 8 and is $40 richer for it. Congrats Jack!