Austin, Texas

Chapter president, COL (Ret) Garry D. Patterson, attended the University of Texas at Austin ROTC Military Ball. The UT ROTC Military Ball was held at the Etter-Harbin Alumni Center on the University of Texas at Austin campus. The event was a formal black-tie event with the cadets from the ROTC program and their dates enjoying an excellent dining experience during an official military ball and awards ceremony.

The awards ceremony honored the significant accomplishments of members of the UT Austin ROTC program during 2023-24. COL (Ret) Patterson was honored to present the AUSA Academic and Leadership Award to Senior ROTC award to the top cadet in the UT Austin ROTC program to Cadet Conner Browne. COL (Ret) Patterson presented the AUSA Military History award to Cadet Kai Fong. A certificate and AUSA ROTC medal were provided to each cadet as well as a premium membership to the Association of United States Army by the Texas Capital Area Chapter.

The awards ceremony was well received by the cadets! The two deserving cadets were honored to receive this well-deserved recognition. LTC Tim Jones, the professor of Military Science, for the UT ROTC program assisted COL (Ret) Patterson with the presentation and pinning of these awards.

The guest speaker for the military ball was a true American Hero, CPT (Ret) Derick Carver. CPT Carver is a highly decorated officer who suffered multiple injuries including the loss of most of his right thigh, multiple fingers becoming fused or partially amputated, and the amputation of his left leg as a result of combat operations in Kandahar, Afghanistan. As a result of these severe injuries CPT Carver underwent almost fifty surgeries and more than fifty blood transfusions. After these surgeries and recovery, CPT Carver opted to return to active duty and assumed the role of Assistant S-3 for the 4th Ranger Training Battalion until his retirement in 2012. Since his injury in 2010 and recovery, CPT Carver stayed active competing in CrossFit competitions and winning the US and World's Strongest Disabled Man competition in 2016. CPT Carver competed in the Arnold Sports Classic, where Arnold named him the "Most Inspiring Veteran" he has met. CPT Carver presented a very moving and inspiring speech about overcoming adversity and using all of your skills and talents to become the best person and citizen that you can while serving others. These comments were well received by all present at this awesome military ball.