Escondido East Rotary Club

A Field of Flags, A Field of Honor: District 5340 Remembers the Fallen
Here is an article in the District 5340 Newsletter. We were lucky enough to have a few Rotarians from our Club help put out the American flags. Thank you Ryan, Lori, Darol, Linda and Ruth.

With appreciation in their hearts, a breeze in the air, and the sun warm on their backs, Rotarians from across District 5340 gathered at Miramar National Cemetery to honor the Americans who gave their lives so that we may live in freedom. What began in quiet reflection soon became a powerful display of unity, gratitude, and service.

As silence settled over the grounds, the haunting notes of taps drifted across the cemetery — a call to remembrance and the signal that the day’s service was about to begin. Rotarians and their families moved with reverence among the rows of headstones, placing an American flag at the base of each veteran’s grave. With every flag, a name was spoken aloud. A rank was honored. A branch of service was remembered. It was a simple act, yet profoundly moving — a reminder that freedom is never free, and that every life represented here once stood in its defense.

In just a couple of hours, more than 500 Rotarians and family members placed 23,000 flags, transforming the cemetery into a breathtaking sea of red, white, and blue. It was time well spent — a tribute offered not out of obligation, but out of love, gratitude, and Rotary’s enduring commitment to Service Above Self.

This remarkable tradition began with one man’s vision.

Rick Clark, a Navy Seabees veteran of the Vietnam War and past president of the La Jolla Golden Triangle Rotary Club, was inspired by his father, Clyde Clark, a World War II veteran whose unit helped liberate the Dachau concentration camp. When Rick learned that Miramar National Cemetery lacked the funding and ceremonial recognition seen at other national cemeteries, he imagined something bold: a flag placed at every single gravesite.

He knew Rotary — and he knew Rotarians, People of Action, would rise to the challenge. What started with a grant in its first year is now sustained entirely by private donations and the unwavering dedication of District 5340’s Military Coordinating Committee. The effort is further supported by Rotarian Jim Frost, owner of Frost Lumber and Hardwood, who generously stores the flags and logistical equipment needed to make this massive operation possible.

And so, Rick’s vision became reality — not because of one person, but because an entire district believed in it. Rotarians showed up in great numbers, families joined in, and together they created a living tribute that grows more meaningful each year.

It was, in every sense, a remarkable day.

A day of remembrance.

A day of gratitude.

A day when service became a bridge between past and present — honoring those who served and reminding us of the responsibility we carry forward.

Azar Katouzian, Principal Librarian of the Escondido Public Library, and John Archer, Library Associate, came and spoke to the club today on what is going on these days at the Escondido library. The library is temporarily at the North County Mall, which has been doing very well. It will soon move back to its normal spot since renovations are about complete.

Happy 86th Birthday to one of our Honorary Member, Neal Wysocki. Wayne brought Neal to the club today to celebrate. We also celebrate next week Stan's birthday, but he is still in his 70's so it's not that big a deal. It was also nice seeing DeeAnne and Linda visit for a Mother's Day early celebration.

Thank you to our member Ryan Fergison for representing our club helping the Tuesday Club with clean up on Adopt-A-Highway.
From the Tuesday Club President Larry.
A bunny hopping thank you to our volunteers on the 57th Escondido Rotary Club's Adopt-A-Highway outing on the day before Easter Sunday. The 9 of us managed to pick up 16 bags of trash and two bags of recyclables on a pretty warm morning.
Volunteers included Mike Freet, Dan Sundquist, Ione Rummery, Veronica and Marvin Cigarroa and myself from our club, Ryan Fergison representing the East Escondido Rotary Club and Carol Collins and Francis Bova from our partner organization Street Stewards. The most unusual items were a wheelbarrow and three bed pillows.

Merry Christmas Eve,
The Escondido East Rotary Club continues to bring Christmas Cheer to those in need. The club was a Secret Santa for two families. Our very own Santa (Walt) did a great job with the kids. Thank you, Kevin, Ryan, Shelby, Jill and others, on organizing this. The kids received gifts from Santa, and the parents received grocery store gift cards for Christmas dinner. Happy Holidays to All.

Always one of our most fun meetings, the Christmas Gift Exchange. Many items were stolen, but all in good fun of course. The Escondido East Rotary Club would like to Wish you all a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and a Prosperous and Healthy 2026 New Year!

The Escondido East Rotary Club along with Santa, delivered Christmas Cheer to the young kids at Escondido Community Child Development Center. Thank you, Santa's helper Walt, you were great. Last week, Rotarian's filled holiday bags with blankets, stuffed animal and toys.

Escondido East Rotarian's staying busy this holiday season. Today they helped out the Salvation Army ringing the bell to bring in funds needed to help support the Salvation Army's yearly giving in all our communities. Thank you, Glen, and Debie Burford for organizing this.

The Escondido East Rotary Club purchased and stuffed Christmas bags with presents for the kids at Escondido Community Child Development Center. Our club next week with the help of Santa, will deliver the goodies and meet the young kids at the school. Thank you to our Rotarian Shelby for getting all these items and organizing this special giving this time of year. Thank you to Sheena with North Island Credit Union for letting us use your community room today for our meeting and packing of the items and all our Rotarians working hard today. ECCDC is a licensed non-profit preschool for children ages 4 months to kindergarten for families working looking for work, or who are pursuing higher education that come from low-income households. It' purpose is to provide a comprehensive, coordinated, and cost-effective child development program which includes a full range of education, supervision, heath, and social services designed to assist children and their families to maximize their full potential.

Happy Thanksgiving from the Escondido East Rotary Club.
The club today with the help from Rotarian's in various Escondido Clubs, helped serve Home Bound Seniors turkey meals today.
Thank you to Lori, Tim and Ryan for organizing. I big Thank You also to Stifel Investments, Kevin Bowcock to help pay for these meals with their $500. donation and to the owners of Mikki;s Restaurant for cooking the meals. Thank you, Rotarian's for driving these to the homes. This is always such a rewarding effort making people happy.