*** CHAPTER NEWS – September 2024 Edition ***
George Washington Chapter (GWC)
Association of the United States Army (AUSA)
THANK YOU to our Individual, Community Partners, Sustaining Members, Corporate Sponsors!
Executive Committee
Email: C2101@ausa.org
Website:
Social Media:
Facebook
LinkedIn
Instagram
Chapter Donations, Sponsorships and Support
Monthly E-9 Breakfasts
Trinity Veterans Classic Golf Tournament 2024
55th Sustainment Brigade
Retiree Appreciation Day
Easterseals "Walk With Me"
GMU Army ROTC FTX
Middleburg Community Center
Community Partner Support
Full Listing of Community Partners
Chapter Awards, Ribbons and Streamers
Best Chapter - Category 1
Chapter of Excellence
Superior Chapter
Merit Chapter
Greatest % Increase in ILCP
Excellence in Community Partner Growth
Community Partner Challenge Monthly Winner
Community Partner Growth
Star Chapter
Largest Chapter
Chapter of Distinction
Presidents Club Silver
Army Birthday
Support to U.S. Army Recruiting Command
Support to Army Cadet Programs
Community Partner Support
Reserve Component Support
Advocacy
Vietnam Commemorative Partner Support
Young Professionals
Professional Development
Department of the Army Civilian Support
Solder for Life Support
Volunteer Development
NCO & Soldier Programs Support
Community Support
Regular Army Support
Education & Programs
Member Communications
Army History
Reminder - Please renew your Community Partner membership with the
Chapter and ensure your member profile information is current.
The Chapter needs your continued support!
Renew today!
Current Chapter Membership Profile:
Total Members – 33,513
Community Partners – 169
*** CHAPTER NEWS AND EVENTS ***
6 July 2024
E-9 Breakfast Meeting
SGM (R) Mark Reilly, Chapter VP NCO/Soldier Programs and CEO for the Washington Tattoo a communith partner of the GWC ,coordinated the monthly E9 Breakfast at the Vienna Inn, (120 Maple Ave. Vienna, VA 22180) on Saturday April 6th at 9:00 a.m. We had representation by the US Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard.
Although smaller due to spring break and holidays it was still a powerful and mighty group.
Approximately, 20 Senior NCOs participated in this event across the services. This is a monthly event where the senior NCOs break bread, reconnecting with friends, network and discuss issues affecting Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines. This event is also a membership event where the benefits of being an AUSA member are discussed. George Washington Chapter AUSA funded the coffee. The next event will be conducted on 3 August 2024.
3 August
Another fantastic E9 Networking breakfast!
SGM (R) Mark Reilly, Chapter VP NCO/Soldier Programs, conducted the monthly E9 Breakfast at the Vienna Inn,The Breakfast was held at the Vienna Inn (120 Maple Ave. Vienna, VA 22180) on Saturday 3 August at 9:00 a.m. Approximately,20 Senior NCOs participated in this event across the services. This is a monthly event where the senior NCOs break bread, reconnecting with friends, network and discuss issues affecting Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines. This event is also a membership event where the benefits of being an AUSA member are discussed. George Washington Chapter AUSA funded the coffee. The next event will be conducted on 7 September 2024.
Below a testimonial from Luke Revell SGM USMC Retired
Luke Revell
This morning, I had a wonderful breakfast at the Vienna Inn, where I was able to engage with peers, friends, and mentors from across generations and services in our monthly E-9 Breakfast.
Floating from table to table, there was always light banter, but I was really impressed with the ability of these leaders to get deep into conversation about giving back to the military community, increasing America’s production capacity, transitioning from service successfully, and maintaining technological preeminence into the future.
Active duty and retired from every branch of service, these leaders aren’t crusty by any means - they’re the dynamic foundation of our nation’s continued success.
Thanks to all who made it - make sure to share/tag for those I missed here. Maybe even tag someone who should have been but didn’t make it! 😉
5 September 2024
GWC Luncheon and General Membership Meeting
Proudly Featuring Guest Speaker
The Honorable Doug Bush
Assistant Secretary of the Army
(Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology)
Army Acquisition Executive
Thursday 5 September 2024
11:30 AM – 1:15 PM
Army Navy Country Club
Arlington, VA
The program kicked off with a moment of silence stating "We will never forget" remembering 9/11. Posting of colors by impeccable members of The Old Guard, and the playing of the National Anthem by the Army Band Brass Quintet. K. Lowe continued the program joyfully announcing the 2024 Best Chapter in Category 1 award, thanking our partners and sponsors -- AUSA 2nd Region, Accenture, BAE, Calibre, Kathryn Condon & Associates LLC, Crowned Grace International, Leidos, Leonardo DRS, LMI, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman Corporation, PenFed, RTX as well as Day & Zimmerman and DCSCORP. Mrs Karen Lowe's ( GWC Chapter President) remarks continued with recognizing the tremendous GWC Executive Committee, as well as the immediate Past President 2nd Region Glenn Yarborough, and the newly inducted 2nd Region President, BG(Ret.) Dick Miller. She went on to state that "the icing on the cake is the leader who shapes and moves the team forward and for the past 4 years, that leader has been Dick Winter. We honored our illustrious immediate past president, Dick Winter by presenting him with a beautifully engraved leather weekender bag, and a crystal paperweight stating "You Make The Difference. Thank you, Dick Winter. Above and Beyond Leader. GWC AUSA President 2020-24." Dick provided a super overview of the State of GWC. We proceeded with a lovely lunch then Karen Lowe introduced our Guest of Honor and Speaker, The Honorable Doug Bush. Mr. Bush talked for a solid 20 minutes, then we proceeded right into approx. 13 minutes of Q&A. Karen wrapped up a wonderful luncheon event by thanking and presenting Mr. Bush with a Chapter coin, and sharing info on upcoming AUSA Chapter (Scholarship Golf Tournament and future luncheons) and National (Annual Meeting) events including a very special event that we will introduce in early 2025, a Mental Health Symposium at the National Museum of the U.S. Army.
2d Region Family of the Year
SFC Trevor, Ashleigh Carlin, Avery and Gunnar
NOTE: The Carlin Family was selected as the AUSA 2d Region Family of the Year!
7 September 2024
E9 Breakfast Meeting
SGM (R) Mark Reilly, Chapter VP NCO/Soldier Programs, conducted the monthly E9 Breakfast at the Vienna Inn,The Breakfast was held at the Vienna Inn (120 Maple Ave. Vienna, VA 22180) on Saturday 7 September at 9:00 a.m. Approximately, 25 senior NCO's participated in this event across the services.
This is a monthly event where the senior NCOs break bread, reconnecting with friends, network and discuss issues affecting Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines, and included The Washington Tattoo, a community partner of the George Washington Chapter. This event is also a membership event where the benefits of being an AUSA member are discussed. Thanks to the George Washington Chapter AUSA for the coffee. Today’s E9 breakfast was the largest one we’ve had in a long time!
Commissioner Chuck Zingler of the Virginia Department of Veteran Services was in attendance and shared with me that he and possibly Governor Youngkin may want attend the chapter’s mental health seminar in March.
I was also approached by several members this morning who are looking to create an additional E9 social event outside of the breakfast that would bring veterans and active duty service members and families together. It may be a simple as selecting a date, time, location and posting on LinkedIn.
17 September 2024
NOVA Distinguished Service Awards
Army Navy Country Club
Unfortunately the Chapter was not selected. The Chapter will continue to press!
Platoon 22 was the recipient of the award.
19 September 2024
Retiree Appreciation Day
JBM-HH
GWC (Kerri Kline, Karen Lowe) and HQs (Steve Canonico) -- were among 21 vendors that supported the 65th Annual RAD from 0730 - 1230. We engaged with most if not all of the retiree attendees representing all services throughout the 5-hour period. Many of the Army retirees indicated that they were either still members OR that there membership had lapsed and that they would look into renewing (info passed along). While the program indicates closing remarks at 1430, most all of the retirees departed o/a noon to attend the wreath laying at Arlington National. As a side note, we have recommendations on how to improve this event from an agenda perspective and pre-event awareness/communications. That notwithstanding, we were proud to represent AUSA!
The Chapter also supported the Retiree Appreciation Day at Fort Detrick, MD. The exhibit was manned by CSM (R) Tony Tuck.
21 September 2024
Support to 55th Sustainment Brigade
Mrs Karen Lowe, GWC President, was invited to meet the Commander (COL Aaron Berk) and other leaders of the U.S. Army 55th Sustainment Brigade during their 20-22 September 2024 Commanders Forum as they wanted to thank both the George Washington Chapter and the 2nd Region for funding their use of 2 conference rooms in the NMUSA affording them the ability to complete their leadership forum.
29 September 2024
Middleburg Community Center Donor Reception
Middleburg VA
Mark Reilly represented the George Washington chapter of the Association of the United States Army on September 29, 2024 at the Middleburg community center donor appreciation reception.
Olivia Rogers, Executive Director of the Middleburg Community Center shared her deep gratitude and thankfulness to the George Washington chapter for our support.
The Middleburg Community Center is interested in expanding its relationship in 2025 with the George Washington chapter in support of veterans of Loudon County.
Forthcoming Events:
The GWC Educational Scholarship Golf Tournament
12 October 2024
Reston National Golf Course
11875 Sunrise Valley Drive, Reston, VA
In Memoriam
Major General Carl H. McNair, US Army Retired
Reston National Golf Course is certified as a Cooperative Sanctuary by Audubon International.
The GWC AUSA Golf Tournament is an annual event to support the Chapter's Soldier, Soldier Family, and Scholarship Programs.
The GWC continues its initiative to engage and support local high schools and undergraduates in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) as well as Business and Finance curriculums.
In 2024, the chapter awarded 46 scholarships amounting to $38,750 to Soldiers, ROTC cadets and family members.
The support provided by our sponsors and community partners was instrumental in the success of this scholarship program.
The tournament will be an outstanding offsite marketing and networking opportunity associated with the 2024 AUSA Annual Meeting.
In 2023, $29,000 was raised to support the 2024 GWC Educational Scholarship Fund. Thank you to the Sponsors and Players!
Title Sponsor
Red Sponsor
2d Region Breakfast - 16 October 2024
Level M4 Liberty Ballroom
Marriott Marquis Hotel
6:30AM-8:45AM
Featured Speaker
LTG Laura A. Potter
Director of the Army Staff
US Army
Dick Winter and Karen Lowe are coordinating this event. Dick may be reached by mobile at 757-532-4410 or email at dickwinter1@gmail.com. Karen may be reached at mobile: 703-403-1680 or email at karen.lowe1956@gmail.com.
GWC Quarterly Professional Development Luncheon 14 November 2024
1130-1315 Army Navy Country Club
Speaker (TBD)
Mental Health Symposium - 15 March 2025
SGM(Ret.) Mark Reilly, President & CEO, The Washington Tattoo and key member of the GWC Executive Committee has proposed and is spearheading a GWC inaugural event, a Mental Health Symposium slated to be held at The National Museum of the U.S. Army on 15 March 2025. Mark and Karen met with BG (R) Burt Thompson, and Bronagh Donlon to lay-out the concept, to walk-thru and visualize the flow of events in the Museum, and to brainstorm the concept and the realm of the possible. This event will include other aligned to this topic 501(c)3 organizations, AUSA National, senior leader panel including Active, Guard and Reserve and Industry, State, Local and perhaps other Federal Agency leaders, reps, and more. We envision this event to become a valuable annual information sharing gathering and ultimately a go to resource and lifeline 365 days/year.
*** MEMBER BENEFIT HIGHLIGHT ***
Shop, Save, Support:
www.ausa.org/savings
To access member discount codes and links, please log in using your AUSA username and password.
AUSA partners offer great discounts and most contribute back to AUSA for scholarships, soldier and family programs, etc.
Visit www.ausa.org/savings and be sure to click those you may not be familiar with. There are often familiar brands behind those names. Like Provengo, with savings of up to 70% on 100+ brands like 5.11, Costa, Oakley, Benchmade, Luminox, G-Shock, Coleman, Ray-Ban, Toad Fish, Vortex, and YETI. Use code AUSA for additional $15 off.
*** Donate to the GWC Educational Scholarship Fund ***
HOW TO DONATE:
Personal check made payable to George Washington Chapter AUSA. Please note that your donation is specifically for the AUSA GWC (Chapter 2101) Educational Scholarship fund. Mail checks to:
Bill Stramm
AUSA George Washington Chapter
302 Arnies Loop
Cape Charles, VA 23310
Credit Card Payments (See Below)--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Donation URL:
Membership, Membership, Membership – Please renew your Community Partnership and Individual Membership Today!
www.ausa.org/membership
Thanks for your Support - One Team - GWC AUSA!
Serving our Community