Happy 2022 to our Redstone-Huntsville Chapter Members, Community Partners, National Partners and Team Redstone followers! I hope you all had an enjoyable holiday season. We hosted a very well attended holiday gathering at the Von Braun Center in December where we recognized the category winners from the 2021 Veterans Day Parade. There was also a toast to those lost and the survivors of the attack on Pearl Harbor. It has been 80 years since that infamous day in our nation’s history. Guests at the reception signed 80 Christmas Cards that were delivered to WWII Veteran Sherwin Callander who celebrated his 101st birthday in 2021. You will find a photo of him with the cards and a big smile in this issue.  The chapter ended our year delivering pizza and items on the resident wish list to our State Veterans Home Tut Fann staff and residents.  The chapter board members have been extremely busy planning an exciting line-up of events for you. You will find the newest calendar in this newsletter. We will host our first 2022 Community Partner Leadership Breakfast in February.  

I am proud to announce we are bringing GEN (R) David Petraeus to Huntsville in April. The event is cosponsored with the Army Heritage Center Foundation and the Redstone-Huntsville Chapter. GEN Petraeus will be our guest for dinner followed by a “fireside” chat with Dr. Conrad Crane, a former Professor of History at the US Military Academy. The topic will be focused on Afghanistan. The proceeds from this event will be shared with the Army Heritage Center Foundation and our portion earmarked for our very own U.S. Veterans Museum expansion and growth plans. Our own museum was designated by the Alabama House of Representatives as the State of Alabama Veterans Memorial Museum, this unique venue displays many historical military vehicles, as well as tableaus, artifacts and other memorabilia dating back to the Revolutionary War. Veteran volunteers present fascinating first-hand accounts of some of America’s most significant historic moments. The museum is dedicated to promoting the accomplishments of American military men and women. As you are aware, AUSA is a nonprofit educational and professional development association serving America’s Army and supporters of a strong national defense. The mission of our organization is to Educate, Inform and Connect. This event promises to be memorable and great way to partner with and support another organization that informs and educates the American public on contributions by Soldiers and the U.S. Army to our nation’s history. If your company is interested in sponsorship opportunities for this event those are also listed in this newsletter.

Finally, let me say thank you to the businesses that continue to make our work possible in the North Alabama area. We could not continue to host the events and provide support to our Army families, active duty, Guard and Reserve, veterans and DA Civilians without your partnership. Additionally, I would like to close by thanking my fellow board members. This group of amazing “soldiers for life” and engaged citizens are creative minds collectively working for the greater good in this community sharing the Army story! I am proud to call you my AUSA family and appreciate your tireless efforts.

Stay safe and healthy until we see each other at the upcoming events planned for you this year!!!

Warm regards,

Rhonda Sutton, AUSA Redstone-Huntsville Chapter President