SAV

The Rotary Club of Dallas, the 1^st in Texas and 39^th International, hosted its 18th Annual Salute to America’s Veterans on November 9th at the Frontiers of Flight Museum.

It was in celebration of Veterans Day, originally Armistice Day, November 11, 1919 - 103 years on November 11, 2022.   It was the 247^th anniversary of the Marine Corps which was created in 1775 by a resolution of the Continental Congress.  Since that date, many thousand men and women have borne the name “Marine”.  

The event was attended by some 350 Rotarians and guests, including some 146 Veterans and First Responders.  There were six World War II Veterans in attendance – Lt. Col Joe Turecky, U.S. Air Force (Ret.) – Rotarian, Lt. Col. Linus Wright, U.S. Army (Ret.) – Rotarian, Major John “Lucky” Luckadoo, U.S. Air Force (Ret.), Sergeant Robert Ashford, U.S. Army Air Corp,  Captain Arthur Wood, U.S. Army and Major Ralph Miller, U.S. Army (Ret.).  Three of the six -  Joe, Lucky, and Robert will be celebrating 101 years of age on November 25., 2022, March 16, 2023, and March 22, 2023.  

Additionally, the Rotary Club of Dallas was honored to have Veterans from the Happy Warriors, the Green Beret Army Special Forces, and active military from the 1st Cavalry Division Honor Guard, Fort Hood, TX, and the Dallas Recruiting Battalion.  In appreciation of their services to our community, we were privileged to have members of the Dallas Police Department. 

The Keynote Speaker was Colonel Chad Foster Garrison Commander – U.S. Army Ft. Hood.   Colonel Foster gave a very informative and enlightening speech on the military activities and involvement in and around Killeen, TX (Ft. Hood) and the economic impact on Texas.    Colonel Foster graduated as an Armor officer from the United States Military Academy in 1998.  

Jody Dean, a member of the Texas Radio Hall of Fame was the Master of Ceremonies for the 15^th  year and performed the recognition of our Veterans and our active Military Men and Women.  The USO Show Troupe performs the Military Service Hymns and opened the event with 3 patriotic songs, in addition to the National Anthem (a cappella), and closed with the Stars and Stripes.    

We are especially grateful to and want to thank all of our corporate sponsors (see list of sponsors) for their support!!  Funds raised from the Salute to America’s Veterans event will go to support the USO DFW and the George W. Bush Institute Military Service Initiative.  Debra Roper, Manager of USO DFW Operations and Program Manager, North Texas area, and Colonel Matthew F. Amidon, USMC, Director of Veterans and Military Families at the George W. Bush Institute provided updates on both organizations’ 2022-2023 initiatives.

SAV 2022 Preview Video: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYcY5O3Retk

SAV 2022 Full Program Recording

(click on link below....password: SAV2022)

Salute To Veterans 2022 Audio Edit.mp4       

Reception Photos   

(click on link below....password: Rotary)

https://grantmillerphotography.pixieset.com/rotaryclubofdallassav2022event/                             

The 19th Annual Salute to America’s Veteran event will be held on November 8, 2023, at the Frontiers of Flight Museum, starting from 11:30 am – 1:15 pm.  

The Rotarians of the Rotary Club of Dallas wish to say thank you for attending and supporting the Salute to America’s Veterans 2022 event.