Austin, Texas

The Texas Capital Area Chapter conducted its General Membership Meeting at Camp Mabry, Austin, Texas. This meeting also included a special ceremony to celebrate the US Army's 249th Birthday with the Texas Army National Guard.

The guest speaker was CSM Michelle L. Thompson, Senior Enlisted Advisor (SEA) to the Deputy Adjutant General - Army of the Texas Army National Guard. CSM Thompson's remarks were well received by all attending the meeting and provided a good overview of the Texas Army National Guard and the major impact of both their State and Federal mission. She also highlighted the professional talent that resides in the formations of the Texas Army National Guard.

CSM Thompson showed various pictures of soldiers performing their military mission and then outlined and discussed examples of the civilian skills and talents of these soldiers. For example, she discussed and identified the civilian careers of soldiers such as: teachers, engineers, firemen, law enforcement officers, lawyers, airline pilots, construction workers, students, software engineers, and project managers. CSM Thompson's presentation was a true demonstration of the varied talents that soldiers of the Texas Army National Guard bring to their service in the military.

Following the remarks by CSM Thompson, our chapter president, COL (Ret) Garry Patterson invited our guests to aid the celebration of the 249th US Army Birthday with a cake cutting ceremony. SPC Montes a Texas Army National Guard soldier assigned to the Texas Military Department Headquarters Company assisted in the cake cutting ceremony with CSM Thompson and COL (Ret) Patterson. Over 75 members, guests and service members were in attendance.