Bill Davis (left) with MacArthur Memorial archivist, James Zobel, and Lorna Cochrane.
The Program:
Speaker James Zobel, archivist at the MacArthur Memorial, was described as “animated” in his introduction , which proved to be an understatement. By the time Dyteya Lewis asked Zobel where he got his enthusiasm, and his dry sense of humor, Zobel responded “A bunch of bad moves, a bunch of bad choices.” He went on to say that he “couldn’t make it as a surfer and couldn’t make it playing the guitar,” so he became an archivist. Zobel said all of this in a delivery that mixed Jeff Spicoli with Denis Leary.
Saying that Gen. MacArthur inspired both respect and disrespect, Zobel said that even the general’s detractors gave memorabilia to the MacArthur Memorial, adding that such detractors inevitably admired the general’s genius and his photographic memory.
After his firing by President Harry Truman, MacArthur was flooded with invitations, Zobel said, but was lured to Norfolk when asked to dedicate a park in the memory of his mother, who was a Norfolk native.
Zobel praised MacArthur’s becoming the youngest general in World War I, being the architect of victory in World War II, and called him the savior of West Point. Zobel also drew attention to the general’s propaganda and showmanship, saying that, after he had his picture taken with the defeated Japanese emperor in World War II, MacArthur arranged to have that picture appear on the front page of every Japanese newspaper, making all of Japan wake up and say “WHOA!” at the sight of emperor’s calling on the general. Zobel pointed out that MacArthur’s renown is seen in the monuments to the general found in such countries as France, Australia, and Korea. While talking about other writers’ books about MacArthur, Zobel neglected to mention his own, but he did invite all of us to visit the archives, which have expanded exponentially since his arrival at the MacArthur Memorial in 1991. He attributed much of the growth to the internet, which he said was just coming into existence at the time.
Zobel said that, ironically, little or nothing in the collection belonged to MacArthur himself. Zobel said that MacArthur’s personnel collection – including his father’s Medal of Honor – were lost in the bombing of a Manila hotel in 1942.
The Meeting:
Visitors included Tony Sparagno amd Mizchell Gomalez. Announcements were made about sailing classes, the rescheduled scavenger hunt, and volunteering July 4th at Town Point Park. Gary encouraged participation by saying that the real benefit of taking part in such activities is forming new friendships with other Rotarians. He mentioned specifically working with Rachel Bellis last July 4th.
Sharon Laderberg reiterated that participants in the scavenger hunt need to email her for the first clue, and Gary concluded the announcements by saying that the first meeting of a satellite Norfolk Rotary club meeting will take place June 26, with our club invited to meet the new group at 6:30 p.m.
Gary also followed up on Pam Tubbs’ e-mail urging donations to “Every Rotarian, Every Year” by June 30. Gary said that only 43 percent of members have donated, and pointed out the 43 would not be a passing grade.
A number of anniversaries, graduations, trips, and new cars highlighted Happy Bucks, with special attention given to a PrimePlus benefit, “It’s 1968 All Over Again,” a musical revue produced by the Hurrah Players, June 22 at 6 p.m. at the Norfolk Masonic Temple on Granby Street. Tickets are $50 including heavy hors d’oeuvres, or $100 with a seated dinner and two bottles of wine. See the website for more information.