Boulder Republican Women

A message from BRW President, Lee O'Donnell (May 2007):

As most of you know, I was raised in Boulder. My family bled red, white and blue!! My father was in the Navy in World War II (the Greatest Generation), but my grandparents were also extremely patriotic. We were taught to love our country, respect our President, and believe that America was the greatest nation on earth. The highlight of the summer was going to Folsom Field for the fireworks and singing “Old Mr. Ford” or “Deep and Wide” with all the hand-motions that went along with the songs. I always cried when we sang “The Star Spangled Banner” (still do) and felt my heart swell with pride at the presentation of the colors. There is nothing better than a John Phillips Sousa march. After the fireworks, we would go home and have our own little show (life was so much simpler then). Our favorite phrase was “Light fuse and get away”. It was so much fun.

This month marks Memorial Day, and I have struggled to find the words to express how deeply I feel about all the soldiers who have given up their lives for our freedom, not just in the current war, but in all the wars we have fought since the Revolutionary War, to protect not only our country, but the world. I think of the sacrifice of young men and women, who are putting their lives on the line in Iraq, and the heartbreak of their families when they are deployed. I think of the 500,000 young men who died in our own Civil War. I think of the 408,000 lost lives in World War II. I think of the 58,000 young people my age who sacrificed their lives in Viet Nam. Every day in the newspaper, I make it a point to read the names and ages of the current casualties, not to be morbid, but to stay aware of the huge gift they and their families have given to OUR country. My heart breaks, but is also filled with love and pride for them and for their families.

Our meeting this month will feature Maj. B. Diggs Brown, who served in Afghanistan. My goal is to honor our service people and their families who have given so much, for you and for me. We can honor these brave people by staying loyal to our country, being proud of our country, and being loving and proud to our soldiers. We need to say a prayer every day for their safety, and thank God that they care enough to give up their everyday lives to go and protect us and others, so that freedom can ring all over the world. Memorial Day is the day to honor our war-dead, but let it also be a day to honor all members of our military. Help me honor our brave, courageous citizens who are proud to be American, proud to serve our country, proud to protect liberty for all.

Please join us for our May 17 meeting. I ask that if you can, wear red, white and blue.

Thank you,

Lee O’Donnell

A message from BRW President, Lee O'Donnell (March 2007):

The Boulder Republican Women have gotten off to a great start for 2007. Our membership is at 100 since combining BRWC and BFRW. We have included coupons in our newsletter for members to bring potential members to our luncheons.

For our January meeting Jan Tyler spoke on election reform. She was opposing an effort to abolish the Denver Election Commission. In February, we had former Boulder Mayor and City Councilman, Bob Greenlee. He spoke not only about staying energized as Republicans, but also about the ‘I Have a Dream Foundation’ of Boulder County, which he and his wife, Diane, a BRW member, organized in 1990. In March we had Mike Robinson of NREL. He gave a fascinating powerpoint presentation on the potential of wind energy. In April we will attend the District II meeting in Longmont. In May Diggs Brown, Ft. Collins City Councilman, author and soldier will speak. In October we will welcome Dick Wadhams, State Party Chairman.

Improving our visibility and image in Boulder is one of our biggest challenges. We have an ongoing drive to collect supplies for the IHAD Foundation. Several members are knitting helmet liners and making cooling scarves for the troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. We have sent several boxes to soldiers who are from the Boulder area. We are collecting toys for the Toys for Tots program and plan to have a community food drive in the Fall. We recently co-sponsored the showing of the film, ‘Obsession,’ with the Stand by Israel group.

We have been giving our ‘Big Elephant’ awards monthly to outstanding members. See pictures. A new feature each month in our newsletter is the book corner. Members recommend books they feel are relevant.

Members, LeMoine Dowd and Barbara Hosmer are co-chairing this year’s County Lincoln Dinner, with help from many other members.

After our disappointment in November, we are finding new energy and determination to fight hard for Republican causes and hope for a better outcome in 2008!

Lee O’Donnell, President



		Mary Dambman, CFRW District Director with Marty Neilson. Mary was recently elected Chairman of the Adams County Republicans.
Presenting the Big Elephant award to Marty Nielson for her run for election is BRW President, Lee O'Donnell.	BRW President Lee O'Donnell with Bob Greenlee.

January, 2007

Big Elephant Award

At the January luncheon meeting at the Spice of LIfe Center, Jeanne O'Donnell was recognized with an award. Jeanne knitted 25 helmet liners in spite of failing eyesight. The liners are for the Operation Helmet Liner Project which sends hand-knitted wool helmet liners, hand-sewn neck coolers and fleece blankets to American troops based overseas. The BRW also sends packages to Marines in Iraq as well as funding projects for the Boulder Community.