Major General Paulette Risher, U.S. Army Retired

Vice President, Veterans Affair, Redstone-Huntsville Chapter

Association of the U.S. Army

The Huntsville 2024 Veterans Week was another stunning public “thank you” to those who are or have worn the clothe of our nation.  These include those serving on active duty, in the Reserves, National Guard and ROTC/Jr. ROTC units, and the well over 50,000 Veterans who call Huntsville and North Alabama home. 

Veterans’ Week has grown to include not just one of the longest Veterans parades in the nation, but a constellation of celebrations. This year, in an effort to provide a more formal structure for coordinating and supporting the various events, the Veterans Day Parade & Events (VDP&E) organization was established as a 501c3.  

This year’s events were spearheaded by a team which included CSM (retired) John Perry, MG (retired) Todd Royar, Janet Marino, K.C. Bertling, CW5 (retired) Keith Langewisch, Andy Norton, Colonel (retired) Dale Kuehl, and many others.  This was a transition year and the Redstone-Huntsville Chapter of AUSA was able to provide “peoplepower” and expertise, as well as being a Presenting Sponsor of the week’s events.  

Beyond the parade itself, three events stood out.  These were the Veterans Dinner, the Army Field Band Concert, and the Veterans Breakfast held in advance of the parade.  For the Veterans Dinner, LTG Chris Mohan, Deputy Commanding General of Army Materiel Command was the presiding officer, with MG(retired) Jim Myles and WAFF’s Liz Hurley serving as true masters of ceremony.   Three individuals were inducted into the MCHC Hall of Heroes.  These included Malcom Otis and Robert “Spider” Marks for their Vietnam service and Grayson Story for Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom service.  

This year, the Army Field Band’s Jazz Ambassadors provided an inspiring program telling the Army’s story in music.  This free concert, held at the VBC’s Mark C. Smith Concert Hall, was a first for Huntsville.  And, finally, in advance of the Veterans Parade, the traditional Breakfast was held at the VBC.  BG Kevin Meisler, Army Materiel Command Chief of Staff/DCG for Reserve Affairs was the keynote speaker and shared a quiet moment with a group of our community’s Korean War Veterans.

 Veterans Week 2024 was a tremendous success and the Redstone-Huntsville Chapter of AUSA was proud to be a part of this community effort.