Chapter Hosts Symposium on Afghanistan

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1 Spring 2010 Chapter Hosts Symposium on Afghanistan (Panelists Left to Right): LTG Don Jones, AUSA 4 th Region President, Moderator; LTG Guy Swan, CG, USA North, GEN George Casey, Chief of Staff, MG John Wissler, USMC, DCG, Multi-National Force- West, BG Tony Ierardi, DCG, Combined Security Transition Command Afghanistan; RADM George Balance, DC, 7 th Fleet and COL John Antal, AUSA North Texas Chapter member and historian. Probably the biggest effort your Chapter has taken on to assist in the mission of making the people of North Texas aware of what s going on in the military was our hosting a symposium on Afghanistan on April 17 th in conjunction with the Military Ball. It was held in the magnificent Malachite Showroom at the InterContinental Hotel. Lockheed Martin printed the very professional programs containing a special piece on current tactics in Afghanistan by John Antal; Raytheon funded the coffee break. As you will note, we had a great panel, and the delivered a variety of views and answered great questions from the 300 attendees. I personally enjoyed BG Ierardi s tales of training the Afghan forces. Special thanks are given to Roger Thompson and the Meetings and ILW teams at National HQ for their support on administration and AUSA publications. Ten Chapter members worked the various desks and assisted the speakers Supporting North Texas ROTC Units Josh Galloway and JP Hogan attended the 59th Annual Texas Christian University ROTC Awards Ceremony in Ft Worth on 8 April. During the ceremony Josh presented the AUSA Most Outstanding Cadet Award to Cadet Elizabeth Bagg and the AUSA Military History Award to Cadet Brett Brandon. JP Hogan presented Cadet Nicholas Harris with the Corps Commander's Sabre on behalf of the North Texas Chapter of AUSA and addressed the cadet corps and attendees. A total of 50 Awards were presented to members of the cadet corps from various organizations representing military and civilian institutions. The ceremony was presided over by the TCU Chancellor, Dr Victor Boschini; 200 people were in attendance. Of note, 25 cadets from the TCU ROTC Program will be commissioned as 2LT s upon graduation this spring. TCU is the second largest ROTC Detachment in the western United States. JP Hogan

2 Spring 2010 AUSA / North Texas Chapter 2 Dallas Military Ball a Great Success The Military Ball s theme painting at right was distributed to all 963 attendees. The Gala will distribute in excess of $150,000 for military relief organizations. Dennis Cavin, the Chairman of the Board, said In no other time in our recent history have America s men and women in uniform given so much in the defense of our nation. Not only are the services active, guard and reserve members sacrificing so selflessly, so are their families. The Dallas Military Ball gives the North Texas community an opportunity to honor and salute their service in a profound way. The DMB in turn provides critically needed funds to area Military Relief Organizations. Each person that attended enjoyed a truly exciting and memorable evening. The Ball Committee was composed of representatives from all the Armed Forces including the Coast Guard. Board and committee members volunteer their time and effort to present the Ball. The General Chairman for this year s Ball was Col. Charlie Walker, USA (Ret). Much credit must also be given to the local community for their generous support. AUSA was represented on the Committee as well. This year s entertainment featured renowned artist Lee Greenwood, who led us in singing God Bless the USA.. Selfless Service, Strength of the Nation Chapter Change of Command Every two years, the North Texas Chapter gets to elect new officers and appoint new leaders in un-elected positions. Here s the lineup for : Position Nominee Replaces President JP Hogan Woody Alexander Immediate Past President Woody Alexander Bill Jimenez 1 st VP Kermit Gable Secretary Tim Sheard Josh Galloway VP- Corporate Bill McManaway Rich Kaniss Treasurer Morris Paulk VP Programs Larry Thompson VP Membership George Raunam JP Hogan Advisory Committee T L Holden As in all volunteer organizations, the Chapter must insure cross-training and new blood in the various jobs to keep it vibrant. I will continue to do the newsletter and Wes Geary will continue as State President.

3 Spring 2010 AUSA / North Texas Chapter 3 LTG Ted Stroup, Voice for the Army LTG (Retired) Theodore (Ted) Stroup, one of AUSA s leaders. At the end of March, we attended the AUSA 4 th Region Meeting at El Paso (Fort Bliss). We were given a tour in an 85 mph sandstorm of the facilities being built on the north post to house the entire 1 st Armored Division as it returns from Germany, where it has been since WWII. We were given an update by LTG (Ret) Ted Stroup, who heads up Governmental Affairs, one of AUSA s two reasons to exist. He talked about how the Military Coalition, made up of 38 organizations including AUSA, interfaces with the Congress and the Administration on issues affecting us on readiness and personnel support. Many questions came up on healthcare and how TRICARE fits in with the new plan just passed. He said we should have no concerns that it will serve as our official coverage. He also updated us on the doc fix and the possibility of increases in pharmacy co-pays as they have not changed since Ted then gave us his personal perspectives on the Obama Administration and Defense Policy. He pointed out that during the election, the only defense issues were closing Guantanamo and withdrawing from Iraq. Defense policy was thought to be on the back burner. Interestingly, a lot has been going on in Defense Policy during the last year and a half, most of which has been positive: Gradual turnover to Iraqi s Surge in Afghanistan Tough look at program funding Review of policies on gays Nuclear weapon treaty Ted said the key has been the leadership of DoD Secretary Bob Gates, on an extended tour from the Bush Administration. He has brought realworld decisions to Defense as opposed to political phrases. Our Association has stood solidly for doing the right things and doing things right, thanks to Ted Stroup and his staff.

4 Spring 2010 AUSA / North Texas Chapter 4 Thanks for your support, Raytheon The vision of Raytheon Network Centric Systems (NCS), with 2009 sales of $4.8 billion, is to be the best at providing networked decision solutions through world-class technology and people. Based in McKinney, Texas, NCS has made innovative advancements in networked communications and sensing technologies, and further penetration of transportation and security markets around the world. It continues to build upon its leadership positions in providing integrated communications, sensing, and command and control solutions for its customers. NCS develops and produces mission solutions for networking, command and control, battlespace awareness, and air traffic management. Programs include command and control systems, integrated communications systems (both military and commercial), and netted sensor systems. The Raytheon business serves all branches of the United States military, the National Guard, the Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Aviation Administration, and other U.S. national security agencies, as well as international customers. NCS continues to remain focused on the needs of today s warfighters by providing critical systems for our Soldiers in the combatant commands. It is also focused on providing mission systems integration for the Homeland Security and Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance missions. It further provides technology and components to support the Missile Defense and Precision Engagement missions. In each of these vital efforts, NCS delivers unprecedented accuracy, speed, and Common Decision Engagement Capability. Raytheon is also aware of its community responsibilities. It works with the Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC) and the local community schools with an innovative initiative called MathMovesU, designed to engage our youth in science, engineering and math. As a corporate member of AUSA, it assists in sponsorship of events including the annual Fires Symposium held in the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex and other North Texas AUSA functions, such as the recent Symposium on Afghanistan. - Stan Green

5 Spring 2010 AUSA / North Texas Chapter 5 Veterans Chamber logo Veterans Chamber of Commerce A year ago, the US Veterans Chamber of Commerce was born. The organization works in partnership with businesses nationwide to provide opportunity and development for veterans and associated businesses. It is committed to establishing local chapters to provide accessible, critical business and advocacy services to all veterans. The Chamber seeks to support these types of veterans: 1. Veteran businesses 2. Veteran employers (companies that depend on vets in their work force) 3. Veteran entrepreneurs 4. Veterans seeking jobs 5. Patriot businesses that market to or support veterans Brian Bascom is CEO of the Chamber, which is headquartered in Dallas. He did tours in the Balkans and Iraq, and was awarded the Combat Infantry badge. He s currently serving in a Reserve Civil Affairs unit and finishing his PhD at UTD in public affairs. He already has a Law Degree from Austin. Brian is a friend of the Chapter and wants to work with AUSA to support veterans in their business searches. - Wendall Ritz Chapter Members Support a Wounded Warrior The AUSA North Texas Chapter adopted a local Soldier in the Wounded Warrior Program (AW2). Linda Parrish, local Mom to our AW2 participants recently gave us this update: Eugene is doing better. We got his rent paid for two months and I have been assisting him with some other issues. The good news is his SS was approved and I am hoping he starts getting his check tomorrow. This should include some back pay. Hopefully this will assist him in getting were he needs to be. I am really excited for him he is now thinking about going to school. He is on his way to working on a successful recovery. He is very appreciative for the assistance you and others have given him. Again, thank you and all the AUSA folks for your assistance. -Chaplain Geary

6 Spring 2010 AUSA / North Texas Chapter 6 We re on the Web! us at: Website: www3.ausa.org/chapweb /dtc/index.htm Chapter Officers PRESIDENT Woody Alexander woodynkath@att.net Phone: Reasons our Chapter Exists Reasons our Chapter exists: 1. To promote an understanding of national security issues 2. To recognize the importance of maintaining a strong and ready Army 3. To enhance patriotism in the North Texas area 4. To care for our Soldiers and their families Bottom Line: The Army is the Strength of the Nation AUSA is the Army s Sword Chapters are the Sharpeners of that Sword All of us should work to get our friends and colleagues to become sword sharpeners by joining AUSA. 1ST VP Kermit Gable Kermit.gable@us.army.mil CHAPTER MEETINGS We have luncheon meetings at The Keg restaurant in Las Colinas (SE Corner of Hwy 114 and MacArthur Blvd) on the second Thursday of the month. from Next Meeting Our next meeting will be on Thursday, June 10 th at the Canyon Creek Country Club from 6:30 to 9:00 PM. I will send out the flyer soon so you can let me know attendance. It will be a fun evening: John Antal will give an update on Afghanistan We will change command to the new Executive Committee We will celebrate the Army s 235 th Birthday and members will receive commemorative coins - Woody