Our Veterans luncheon has always been a special day at Rochester Rotary. This year, we heard from Jim Connors, Chief Operating Officer of the National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation and Sergeant Gary Beikirch, U.S. Army (ret.), Medal of Honor Recipient. We also have a special book presentation from Roberto Clemente School No. 8, the students of which interviewed our Rochester Rotary Veterans and wrote their stories.

Jim Connors joined the National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation team as Chief Operating Officer in November 2019 overseeing all design & construction aspects of the Museum in Arlington, TX and the Monument in Washington, DC as well as finance, legal, IT and administrative functions for the organization.

Gary Beikirch is an ordained minister of the United Baptist Fellowship and a graduate of the University of New Hampshire and SUNY-Brockport. Gary recently retired after a 33-year career as a middle school counselor in his hometown of Rochester, NY. Since leaving the military, he has worked in hospital, prison and youth ministry and as a team counselor with the Veterans Outreach Center.