The American Veterans Center s 18th Annual Veterans Conference & Honors November 5-7, 2015 - Washington, DC Locations of Events: The Wounded Warrior Experience & Conference Speaker Sessions U.S. Navy Memorial Naval Heritage Center 701 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Suite 123 An Evening Reception Honoring US & UK Veterans Friday Evening Reception - November 6 The British Embassy 3100 Massachusetts Ave., NW Business Attire The Honors: A Salute to American Heroes Omni Shoreham Hotel Regency Ballroom 2500 Calvert St., NW Black Tie Attire Bus transportation will be available from the Omni Shoreham Hotel to all off-site events. Visit www.americanveteranscenter.org for information on registration and special discounted rates at the Omni Shoreham Hotel.
Schedule of Events: Times & Topics subject to change - Additional Speakers & Participants TBA Visit www.americanveteranscenter.org for continued updates and additions Thursday, November 5 7:30 PM - The Wounded Warrior Experience Presented by Military Order of the Purple Heart Service Foundation Special pre-event reception at 6:00 PM, U.S. Navy Memorial Featuring service members who have been wounded in the line of duty, sharing their inspiring stories of recovery and determination, along with resources available to service members transitioning from the military to the private sector. Hosted by Jennifer Griffin, National Security Correspondent for the Fox News Channel. The Sixth Annual Wounded Warrior Experience Participants Coming Soon. 6:00 p.m. Reception 7:30 p.m. Discussion This program will be filmed for television broadcast the week of Veterans Day 2015. Stay tuned for broadcast details. Visit www.woundedwarriorexperience.com for more information, air times, and panelist updates. This event is free of charge.
Friday, November 6 SPEAKER SESSIONS AT THE U.S. Navy Memorial SESSIONS BEGIN AT 8:30AM Buses from Omni Shoreham Hotel Available for Attendees U.S. Navy Memorial Naval Heritage Center 701 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Suite 123 The Greatest Generation: Americans in WWII Jim Leavelle - U.S. Navy sailor aboard the USS Whitney during the attack on Pearl Harbor. Later, as a homicide detective in Dallas, TX, was the first to interrogate Lee Harvey Oswald following his arrest. George Klein - Veteran of the famed 2nd Ranger Battalion on D-Day: the Boys of Pointe du Hoc. Ambassador Alan W. Lukens - Veteran of the 20th Armored Division in WWII and among the liberators of Dachau concentration camp in Germany, April 29, 1945. Later, U.S. Ambassador to the Congo. World War II: Legends and Trailblazers Thomas Mangrum Veteran of the 761st Tank Battalion, the first African American tankers to see combat in U.S. Army history. Elinor Otto - At age 95, was still working as a Rosie the Riveter - a job she had mostly held since WWII - in a C-17 airplane plant. Keynote Remarks TBA Pearl Harbor veteran Jim Levealle - the man in the tan suit on the left - escorts Lee Harvey Oswald at the moment of his assasination by Jack Ruby. Leading Military Women: Commanders and Trailblazers in the U.S. Military Distinguished women military officers from across the services, sharing their lessons and experiences on leadership. VADM Ann Rondeau - Former President of National Defense University, as well as Director, Navy Staff and Deputy Commander, United States Transportation Command. RDML Diane Webber- Commander, Navy Cyber Forces. Previously Director, Cyber Space Operations (J6) at NORAD/U.S. Northern Command, and Deputy Commander, U.S. Fleet Cyber Command/Deputy Commander, U.S. 10th Fleet. Lt. Col. Kate Germano - USMC Lieutenant Colonel, former commanding officer of 4th Recruit Training Battalion at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island. Leadership: From Military Service to the Private Sector Perspectives on leadership, ethics, character and service from military officers who have transitioned to successful careers in the private sector. Dr. J. Phillip London - USNA graduate and retired Navy captain, former President and CEO of CACI for 23 years and current Executive Chairman. Author of Our Good Name and Character: The Ultimate Success Factor. Liam Knott - U.S. Army veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom, currently President of Reliance Fire Protection. On the Front Lines: Special Operations in Today s Military A rare appearance by active duty members of the United States military s elite Special Operations Forces who have served on the front lines of combat in Afghanistan and Iraq. Participants TBA. The legendary flag raising atop Mt. Suribachi on Iwo Jima - February 23, 1945. Nearby that same day, Hershel Woody Willaims cleared a path for his comrades through enemy lines, actions for which he was awarded the Medal of Honor.
Capstone Remarks Colonel Anthony Wood (Ret)- Thirty year veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, during his final tour in Vietnam was tasked with helping to lead the ecacuation of Saigon forty years ago. At the time of his retirement, was the only captain or colonel in any branch of the services to have twice been decorated with the nation s second highest award - the Distinguished Service Medal. A Centennial of Service: 100 Years of the U.S. Navy Reserve Participants TBA Exclusive Event - Friday Evening Honoring U.S. & U.K. Veterans: A Special Reception at the British Embassy 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm (Buses depart Omni Shoreham Hotel at 6:00 PM) This special exclusive reception will recognize the long partnership between the United Kingdom and the United States, saluting those of the Greatest Generation of World War II to the generation that has served side by side in Afghanistan and Iraq. The reception will feature British and American food, drinks, and spirits. Special guests include wounded warriors from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. Saturday, November 7 SPEAKER SESSIONS AT THE U.S. NAVY MEMORIAL SESSIONS BEGIN AT 8:30 am The U.S. Navy Memorial is located at: 701 Pennsylvania Ave, NW Buses available from Omni Shoreham Hotel Plane #1 - with Jimmy Doolittle and co-pilot Richard Cole aboard - lauches from the USS Hornet on the legendary Doolittle Raid on Japan, April 18, 1942. Legends of the Air Lt. Col. Richard E. Cole - Co-pilot of Jimmy Doolittle on the legendary Doolittle Raid on Tokyo - the first attack on Japan following Pearl Harbor - April 18, 1942. Col. Clarence Bud Anderson - Triple-ace fighter pilot during two combat tours in the European Campaign of WWII, and member of the National Aviation Hall of Fame. Lt. General Charles Chick Cleveland - United States Air Force ace pilot in the Korean War, and president of the American Fighter Aces Association. VICTORY! The 70th Anniversary of the End of World War II Col. Edward Shames - Started his service with I Co., 3rd Bn. 506th, becoming the first NCO in his battalion to receive a battlefield commission in Normandy. Was transferred to command 3rd Platoon of Easy Company - later known as the famed Band of Brothers - which he led until the end of the war. Keynote Remarks Admiral Michelle J. Howard - 38th and current Vice Chief of Naval Operations. ADM Howard holds the distinction of being the first woman to hold the rank of four-star admiral in U.S. Naval history. The Medal of Honor Recipients of our nation s highest military award. CWO4 Hershel Woody Williams - The last living recipient of the Medal of Honor for valor during the Battle of Iwo Jima. Sgt. 1st Class Melvin Morris - Recipient of the Medal of Honor for valor in Vietnam. Sgt. 1st Class Morris is one of the Valor 24-24 men among more than 6500 who, following a lengthy review, were selected to be upgraded to the Medal of Honor on March 18, 2014. Colonel Bruce P. Crandall - Recipient of the Medal of Honor for valor in the epic Battle of Ia Drang in Vietnam - 50 years ago, November, 1965. Capstone Remarks Gen. Richard B. Myers, USAF (Ret) - 15th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, 2001-2005.
The Last Ace Brig. Gen. R. Steve Ritchie, USAF (Ret) - The only Air Force Ace pilot from the Vietnam War, recipient of the Air Force Cross. Valor on the Front Lines Decorated and distinguished veterans from operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. LT Jason Redman - U.S. Navy SEAL officer with 21 years of service, veteran of Afghanistan and Iraq, and decorated with the Bronze Star with Valor, Navy Commendation Medal, and the Purple Heart. Capt. Katelyn van Dam- Marine Corps attack helicopter pilot currently assigned to The Basic School, Quantico, VA. A 2005 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and veteran of operations in Afghanistan and the Horn of Africa/Gulf of Aden. Concluding Remarks Q&A with Col. Buzz Aldrin, U.S. Air Force combat pilot in the Korean War and legendary NASA astronaut. Signature Event - A New Veterans Day Tradition The First televised awards show honoring Our Military Heroes Reception & Silent Auction: Begins at 5:30 Dinner & The Honors Television Filming: 7:00 Omni Shoreham Hotel Regency Ballroom 2500 Calvert St., NW Filmed for a special broadcast over Veterans Day weekend, the Honors: A Salute to American Heroes is the first and televised awards show honoring our military men and women from across the generations. At this very special black-tie gala, attendees will make up the LIVE audience as we honor heroes from World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and the present day. Also in attendance will be special celebrity guest presenters, celebrated veterans, and musical performances. Visit www.avchonors.com for additional information and television broadcast listings.