Cuba - Then and Now by Gladys Davis

At the May women's club meeting Arlington Heights resident Gladys Davis (pictured left) shared her experiences as an exile who fled Cuba at the age of 9. She was separated from her family but later reunited with them in the States. Her presentation included poignant DVD movie clips of her family in Cuba and the way they remembered their beloved homeland in the 1950's. Gladys described a happy middle class life immersed in the Cuban culture when it was ripped away by the Castro regime. Afterwards there were many changes including government rationing of food and supplies. Everything they did was monitored and her family lived in fear for their lives. They were robbed of freedom of speech, freedom of religion and under the tyrannical Castro government, left with no way to defend themselves. Under totalitarian government there was no justice or fair trials and the conditions in jails were horrible. Life in Cuba today is step back in time -now an isolated existence for the people there, with a blackmarket economy, lacking communication (there is no internet access) and modern modes of transportation. Coming to the States was a culture shock for her and her family at first but Gladys has enjoyed being a U.S. citizen. Her speech was very inspirational. The women left with a better understanding of how fragile freedom is and a heartfelt gratitude for living in democracy with the privilege to exercise rights.

A Friendly Visit by Congressman Kirk

Republican women are among many ROWT members who welcomed Congressman Mark Kirk at the HQ office in April. A town hall type meeting took place. Energy policy and border security were the main topics of concern.

 

What American Support Means to the Troops

The link here leads to an area of the America Supports You website where you can view messages from our troops. Continued support for the military means a great deal to the soldiers who are far from home in harm's way. You can also leave a personal message thanking the troops for defending our freedom. The site also features news articles about how Americans are supporting the military and their families. The Defense Department has designated the month of April as Month of the Military Child.

Primary Election Night

Republican women recorded primary results on election night March 21. The GOP headquarters was active all evening and included an election party once the polls closed. The ROWT volunteers worked hard and delivered nearly 10,000 sample ballots directly to Republican voters. Just under 18,500 were mailed. Click the above link for unofficial primary results. Congratulations to Ruth O'Connell (picutred right) who officially became our new Wheeling Township Committeeman! An election recap will occur at the next ROWT meeting scheduled for April 8.

Oberweis for Governor

Click the above clink to see the new edition of the "Illinois Reformer" reviewing Jim's plan to create jobs, reform state government, uphold traditional values and enforce immigration laws. You can find out more about the Oberweis campaign on www.oberweisforillinois.com.

New Voting Machine Demo

The county clerk's office brough a demonstrator model of the new touch screen voting machine to the Feburary ROWT meeting. The new machine will be in all polling places in March. It is very user friendly.

President Addresses American Legion

On Friday, February 24, 2006 at the American Legion Washington Conference President Bush addressed the American legion, thanked American's veterans for their service and outliend the Administration's commitment to helping veterans. The President also discussed the war on global terrorism. Go to the link above to read full contents of the speech.

Upcoming Events

Monday, Feb. 27 Early voting begins at village and town halls

Saturday, March 25 Eagle Forum Spring Luncheon
featuring Phyllis Schlafly at Park Ridge
Country Club

Spotlight on Dan Patlak -Wheeling Township Assessor

Dan, our newly installed Wheeling Townsip Assessor spoke at our January women's club meeting. As taxpayer advocate, he shared information about permits, assessment appeals and various other services. The link above will take you directly to Dan's own web page at the township where you will find a complete listing of taxpayer services and tips. You will also find helpful links to the Cook County Assessor's office, Cook County Board of Review and Cook County Treasurer's office .

Iraqi's Vote Again!

The Iraqi people take another step toward democracy as they vote for their new goverment.

GOP Women Welcome Local Hero

Colonel Jill Morgenthaler, who has served in the US Army for 29 years, was the guest speaker at our November 17th meeting. She shared her vast military experience which included efforts as Public Affairs Officer for the Commanding General of the Multinational Force in Iraq until Septebember 2004. She received the Bronze Star Medal. Colonel Morgenthaler is currently in the Army Reserve.

President Bush Commemorates Veterans Day

Please take a moment to honor our nations veterans and read the President's speech at Tobyhanna Army Depot in Pennsylvania. President Bush pays tribute to our Armed Forces, re-enforces the commitment to defeat terrorism and addresses critics that undermine U.S. efforts to win the war.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2005/11/20051111-1.html

Remembering Our Veterans

The Yellow Ribbon Support group, who just received a Governor's Hometowon Award, participated in the Veterans Day ceremony at Palatine's Community Park. Mac and Pat McCoy gave a presentation explaining the YRSG's efforts. Care packages were available to be mailed to troops currently serving.

Got Guv?

Governor candidate Jim Oberweis draws a number from the hat for this month's door prize at the Republicans of Wheeling Township meeting. Club member Nancy Padjen was the winner of an ice-cream-a-month certificate from Oberweis Dairy.

GOP Open House

We joined Mary Childers and the Republican Women of Maine Township at the grand opening of their headquarters in downtown Des Plaines.

Package Senders to America's Defenders

The Yellow Ribbon Support Group brought 64 packages to Costco. The public showed their support by mailing the boxes to a soldier. Soldier's names were also gathered for future mailings.

Armed Forces Appreciation Day at Costco

Various opportunities were given to Costco shoppers on Saturday to show support for our troops. The event was organized by We Do Care.

Legal Expertise

Conservative attorney Joe Morris spoke at our September meeting. In additon to insights on judicial appointments and Supreme Court battles, he shared a bit of legal history.

Remember 9-11

Who can forget where they were that day 4 years ago in September? I was at school where I worked that morning. I was met by a co-worker in the hallway who told me there was a terrorist attack. I headed to the teachers lounge where many of our staff members were watching the tragedy unfold on TV. We could not believe our eyes. I thought to myself "could this be the end"? And it was the end-- the end of life as we knew it. Staff were expecting the schoolchildren to arrive within minutes. Were we safe? Could we hold it together while the world around us seemed to be falling apart? Could we protect the children? What about our own families?? Would we even make it through the day???? Thank God, we lived through that day. But thousands of Americans who went to work on September 11, 2001 did not.
President George W. Bush was a courageous leader to our wounded country and continues to be a pillar of strength in the face of disaster. The loss to the United States was tremendous and the grief it produced was profound. I will not forget those who were lost in the Twin Towers, their families, the passengers and crew on the planes, the brave individuals who rushed to save lives and the freedom fighters in foreign lands who have sacrificed in response to war being declared on America.

Wheeling GOP

We had a good turnout for our walk in the Buffalo Grove Labor Day parade