Erin's presented us with a delightful return visit. Her singing evoked the joy it brought to the soldiers when away fighting for our freedom. Her stories from a musical tour of all 50 States highlighted how luck we are in North Carolina where veterans receive so much more recognition than other States, some of which do nothing for their veterans.

President Briscoe presented Surviving Spouse Director Jackie Kohler our donation to the worthy cause Triad Honor Flight.

Other awards of recognition for their efforts on behalf of the Chapter were presented to Jerry Johnson, Greg Chase and Tom Denegre.

New members Devin Dell and Robert Weiss were welcomed and Gere Carter introduced his guest, Adam Horne, with hopes of his joining shortly.

2nd VP Barry Moore delivered the Members 7 minutes speech regaling us of his times in the Philippines, bolo knives and" 52 pairs".

Past President Dennis Lennon reminded membership of its commitment to, and the importance of volunteering for the boards and committees that make our Chapter a Five Star Awardee. Incidentally, he won the 50/50 raffle.

Our 2nd VP took us through a riveting presentation on his experiences participating in Operation Restore Help - Somalia 1992-93.

Most remarkable where his slides of the starvation and utter devastation in Somalia then, and to this day, brought upon the citizens by roving militant gangs who stole from all and cared for none.

In a first for the Chapter, Surviving Spouse Director, Jackie Kohler, presented certificates of recognition to two of our four Surviving Spouse Members, Nalyn Hipwood and Peggy Wallace.

Beth Hinesley is Community Relations Coordinator of Honor Bridge For Life. She spoke about the need and value of organ and tissue donation (the compelling needs, the myths and how it actually works). With no limit on the age of the donor, in addition to 8 organs, there are some 75 other uses of tissues that can be used.

Registration as a donor can be done through the state or at a national registration service.

In North Carolina, over 3,000 people are currently waiting for organ transplants, and nationally, over 100,000 people are on the organ waiting list.

At the beginning of our after dinner program, Mrs Ann Zuhr graciously presented our Vietnam War Veterans recognition Certificates and Lapel Pins from The Daughters of the American Revolution for their service in the Vietnam War era

CDR. Hagensted with his charming wife Sloane, together,enlightened what must have been one of our most energized dinner events. Valentine decorations provided by Jackie Kohler truly lit up the room.

"Hog" walked us through the past and current pathways through "Top Gun", Navy Fighter Weapons School. In his career he totaled 2000 hours in F/A-18s, 400 carrier landings and 40 combat missions over Iraq.

He regaled us with tales from the filming of the two Top Gun movies. Tom Cruise was true to his reputation,i.e. filmed as the pilot while flying in the back seat of a F-18 flown by a Navy Blue Angels pilot 50 FEET OFF THE DECK AT 600 KNOTS!!

No doubt many of us went straight home to re-run the movie with new eyes.

This was one of the most powerful presentations our Chapter has ever experienced!!

Captain Poole served two tours in Vietnam, 1969-1971, with ever increasing adimistrative responsibilities and hands on coping with the wounded coming in from battle.

This quiet spoken lady took us thru the emotional roller coaster of her experiences including: laying alongside and praying with a dying man, spending an entire night transfusing another so he did not bleed to death before a doctor would attend. As much as 30years later she would receive calls of thanks from men she saved in the field.

She is one of 10000 women who served in Vietnam, but who were refused VA assistance when they returned with PTSD because "no women served in Vietnam".