The Rotary Club of Kittery's guest speaker on October 1st introduced us to the non-profit "Computers4Vets" and shared some thoughts of the changes to the military over recent years.
Bob Satter, Captain, US Army Retired, is a resident of both Ogunquit Maine and also of Florida, where he is a member of the Rotary Club of Lake Worth.
Co-President Pauli and Bob exchanges Club banners
Bob is a volunteer for Computers4Vets, a 501(c)(3) not for profit based in Epping NH. The organization collects computers, laptops, and computer accessories and refurbishes them for use of local veterans who can't afford them. They have provided over 2100 units in the last 10 years. The organizations founder Mark Grimshaw, uses military based software to clean personal data off the computers and reinstall basic programs.
The units are provided at no cost to vets, the organization is looking for donations to offset costs of repair and replace components , also computers, keyboards, mouse (mice), or printers. More information and donations at www'Computers4Vets.org.
Bob also talked about some of the significant changes for the military in the last several decades. The elimination of the draft and the return to the all volunteer military, and the recruitment difficulties with over 75% of volunteers not qualifying. The decrease in number of elected officials who have had military experience. The defense budget diminishing from 8 % to 3% of GDP, the reliance on electronic systems and the increase in cyber attacks, are just a few Bob reviewed with us.
Bob signed a book to be donated in his name to the school libraries.