Austin, Texas

The Texas Capital Area Chapter hosted a breakfast at the US Army Futures Command headquarters located in the University of Texas System Building San Antonio (Storefront) Conference Room.

This event was a special event in which GEN James E. Rainey and CSM Brian A. Hester welcomed the 16th Sergeant Major of the Army (Retired) Michael A. Grinston to Austin. It was a special privilege for the Texas Capital Area Chapter to sponsor this breakfast event and support US Army Futures Command. SMA (Retired) Grinston is the new CEO of the Army Emergency Relief organization. Army Emergency Relief (AER) provides grants, interest-free loans and scholarships to promote readiness and help relieve financial distress of soldiers and their families. SMA (Ret) Grinston provided an overview presentation highlighting the mission and commitment of AER to soldiers of our Army. In 2023 the Army Emergency Relief provided support to more than 31, 000 soldiers and families and awarded more than 3,085 scholarships. GEN Rainey and CSM Hester provide comments in support of this exceptional organization and the need to assist fellow soldiers.

The Texas Capital Area Chapter was represented by our Chapter President, COL (Ret) Garry D. Patterson, Chapter Treasurer, COL (Ret) John Willis, and VP for Special Program, COL (Ret) Brian Cook. This breakfast event was also attended by numerous community leaders from the business community and academia. It is the hope that by sharing information about this exceptional support organization that resources will be provided to assist more soldiers/Army families requiring financial assistance and scholarship in the future.