Association of the United States Army

First Militia Chapter

We are excited that General Bullard, former Adjutant General for the State of Florida, has agreed to be our guest speaker on the evening of 10 November. Born December 9, 1917, General Bullard enlisted in the Florida National Guard in 1939 and entered active military service in November 1940, serving for five years including two and a half years overseas of combat in the European Theater of Operations.

General Bullard served in II Corps under General Patton during the Africa campaign. He also served at Anzio during the Italy campaign, where he assumed command of an artillery battery. On August 13, 1975, General Bullard was appointed Adjutant General for the State of Florida and served in that capacity until December 31, 1981.

You don’t want to miss this rare opportunity to hear from General Bullard. Please see the flyer posted in this newsletter for more information.

Retired Adjutant General, Major General (Ret) Kennedy C. Bullard to

Speak at November General Membership Meeting and Dinner

Volume 15 Fall 2011

Voice for the Army - Support for the Soldier

We are honored that one of our members, Colonel William J. Beiswenger Jr., was awarded the Major General Anthony J. Drexel Biddle Award at the National Meeting in Washington D.C. recently. COL Beiswenger currently serves as Director, Joint Directorate of Intelligence and Domestic Operations, Florida National Guard. He has been actively involved with AUSA for many years, serving in a variety of positions, to include Third Region (Southeast) President and State President for Florida.

Colonel Beiswenger received the award for his outstanding contributions to the Association of the United States Army and its Third Region. At November’s General Membership Meeting and Dinner, Colonel Beiswenger will briefly discuss highlights from the National Meeting.

COL Bill Beiswenger, Jr. receives the Anthony J. Drexel Biddle Award. Pictured from left to right LTG (Ret) Roger Thompson, COL Bill Beiswenger

and GEN (Ret) Gordon R. Sullivan.

COL Bill Beiswenger Presented Top Award at AUSA National Meeting

First Militia chapter presented four $1,000 scholarships during its August general membership meeting and dinner. Having introduced two new award categories in addition to the customary “General Membership” category, awards included: Enlisted/Non-commissioned Officer category: Yasmin Blackman, daughter of SGM (Ret) Daniel Blackman; Combat Veteran category: Taylor Duren, son of COL J.M. “Mickey” Duren and Nora Scheland, granddaughter of BG (Ret) Eugene Lanzillo; and General Membership category; Zachary Brown, son of Suzanne Brown. Three of the four recipients attended the dinner and were presented checks by chapter president COL (Ret) Don Workman. Recipient Nora Scheland was unavailable, as she had already reported to Bryn Mawr College, Pennsylvania to begin her studies.

In addition to meeting established qualification criteria, each applicant submitted an essay on a military topic of their

choice. During the presentation, LTC Rob Keating, Vice President for Scholarships and Awards, recited excerpts from each recipient’s essay, all of which centered on what we know as the Seven Army Values and focus on Soldier and Family care. We once again congratulate these most deserving young patriots.

We extend the chapter’s gratitude to Scholarship Evaluation Committee Chair COL Christopher Miller and members COL David Rodgers and MAJ Betsy Evans for volunteering their time and talents to evaluate the applicants.

FIRST MILITIA CHAPTER PRESENTS SCHOLARSHIPS

Pictured (L to R) are Chapter President COL (Ret) Don Workman and scholarship recipients Zachary Brown, Yasmin Blackman, and Taylor Duren

(Not pictured is recipient Nora Scheland).

Volume 15 Fall 2011

Information from the Board of Advisors

BG (Ret) Richard G. CappsChairman, Board of Advisors 

WOW!! Can you believe it is November already !! This year is almost gone. It is that time of year we recognize our veterans and get ready for the year end holidays. That brings us to our November General Membership Meeting, on the 10th, 2011. The Board encourages all our members and guests to attend as the Chapter has planned an exciting agenda, such as the Chapter’s successes this year and goals for 2012, M1carbine 30 cal. rifle raffle drawing (bring in your extra tickets and any money you have collected) but most importantly we are very fortunate to have as our guest speaker MG (RET) Kennedy C. Bullard, the former Adjutant General of Florida (1975-1981)and WW II combat veteran will share his memoirs of 2 and half years of combat time

which includes the invasion of North Africa and the Beaches of Anzio. Thisalmost 94 year old soldier will keep youon the edge of your seats.

In closing the Board would like to congratulate COL Bill Beiswenger for his awards received at the

AUSA National Conference for his many years of outstanding service.

May your holidays be joyous and prosperous with family and friends.

CHAPTER OFFICERS

Chapter President Don Workman, COL (Ret) 

First Vice President Matt Johnson, LTC 

Secretary Lisa Craig, COL 

Treasurer Jason Taylor, 1LT 

VP for Individual Membership Vacant 

VP for Corporate Membership CSM (Ret) Allan Crosby 

VP for Scholarship & Awards Rob Keating, LTC 

VP for Operations Bob Carroll, SGM (Ret) 

VP for Soldier Support Mike Hossford, SCSM 

VP for JROTC Program Gray Johnson, MAJ 

VP for Veterans Affairs Ray A. Quinn, SGM (Ret) 

VP for Public Affairs Vacant 

Family Programs Coordinator Carolyn Wingard, CSM (Ret) 

Volunteer Coordinator Ms. Jerri Briggs 

Newsletter Editor Rhonda Rickards, CPT 

Veterans Stand DownI am most pleased to report the Veterans Stand Down conducted 24 September 2011 was truly a success. Sponsored by the St. Johns County Veterans Council and supported by our St. Johns County Veterans Service Office and Elks Lodge 829 more than 130 homeless men and women received benefits. Those that qualified as veterans were offered the opportunity to apply for veterans benefits to include health care. All were provided clothing, showers, haircuts and more. Our thanks is offered to COL Lisa Craig for her volunteer participation in the event. First Militia Chapter, AUSA has been a participating member of the St. Johns County Veterans Council since 4 July 2001. Chapter members that desire to participate are welcome to attend the monthly meetings held at Elks Lodge 829 at 1900 hours the last Thursday of each month.

Veterans Day 11 November 2011St. Augustine has a rich tradition of honoring veterans and this Veterans Day will be no exception. At 1100 hours on Friday 11 November the Ancient City Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America will sponsor a tribute to our nation's veterans. The event will be conducted on the St. Augustine Events Field (St. Francis Field). The Florida National Guard due to budgetary constraints has asked the Veterans Council to support the event this year and MOAA stepped up to take the lead. There will be a massing of the colors consisting of military and civilian organizations from throughout the city and county. This year's theme will honor World War II veterans. Added this year will be reenactors from various periods of our military. First Militia Chapter will be supporting the event as well. All chapter members are asked to attend to honor our veterans.

POW/MIA Recognition 06 November 2011On Sunday, 6 November 2011 local Prisoners of War will be honored during the premiere of the documentary PRISONERS OF WAR: Stolen Freedom. This documentary is produced by Michael Rothfeld, the producer of other recent documentaries honoring our local heroes. This touching documentary will feature five local POWs and their sacrifices on behalf of our nation. In addition to the documentary there will be patriotic and popular music. The venue in the past has been Flagler College, however we are proud to announce that Anastasia Baptist Church has offered their magnificent facility for this premiere. There is no cost and there is plenty of adjacent free parking. The doors will open at 1330 and the event will begin at 1430 hours. Our chapter will have a table in the atrium offering information about our organization. Mark your calendars for Sunday afternoon, 6 November 2011.

Jacksonville National Cemetery 12 November 2011The long awaited completion of Phase One of Jacksonville National Cemetery is here! No longer will we enter the shrine from a temporary entrance, nor visit a temporary administration building, but now will see a completed facility. We will celebrate the completion of Phase One on 12 November 2011 at 1000 hours. To be recognized at the event : 8,145 full casket gravesites, 7,300 preplaced crypts, 5,100 in ground cremation sites and 4,992 columbarium niches. In addition we will celebrate the opening of the new administration building and naming of roads within Phase One. One of the roads has been named Camp Blanding Drive. We will also celebrate the creation of a flag assembly area and a memorial walkway. All are invited to the celebration and an opportunity to see what is a available to our veterans and spouses. Please plan to attend.

Veterans UpdateSGM Ray A. Quinn, (FLARNG, Ret)

THURSDAY, 10 November 2011Social @ 6:00 p.m. followed by Dinner @ 7:00 p.m.

GUEST SPEAKER:MG (Ret) Kennedy C. Bullard, former Adjutant General of Florida

Program: Chapter ReportsChapter Streamer PresentationRemarks from COL Bill Beiswenger, Jr.WWII Carbine Rifle Raffle Drawing 50/50 Drawing

LOCATION: Officer’s Club, Saint Francis Barracks82 Marine St., St. Augustine, Florida

Dinner Menu: Hawaiian Chicken,Steamed Vegetables, Yellow Rice, Rolls,Iced Tea, Coffee, & Blackberry Cobbler

Please bring a canned or boxed non-perishable item. Donations will benefit the Second Harvest Food Bank through the Musicians of St. Augustine.

Cost: $14.00 Dress: Casual

“ADVANCED PAID RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED”For additional information, please call (904)823-0646 or email

REBECCA.J.GIBSON@US.ARMY.MIL

FIRST MILITIA CHAPTERGENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING AND DINNER

1st Militia Chapter Family Programs is working with the Musicians of St. Augustine supporting their 2nd annual food drive for The Second Harvest Food Bank of St. Augustine and there will be a collection barrel at the General Membership Dinner meeting on Thurs 10 Nov at the O’Club. We are asking each person to bring a non-perishable food item to donate.

A collection barrel has also been placed at the NCO Club of St. Augustine which meets every Thursday night at the

Mark W. Lance Armory from 6-10 PM. Donations can be made there as well.

We will continue to collect food items until 10 Dec at which there where will be a big benefit at the Mardi Gras Sports Bar & Grill on San Marco. Second Harvest will be there to collect the barrels as well as take monetary donations. There will be a day of music starting at 1 PM until 11Pm which will include a tribute to Harry Chapin who was an American singer/songwriter (“Cat’s in the Cradle”) and a dedicated

humanitarian who fought to end world hunger. (Note: CSM (Ret) Gary Lee Wingard, an AUSA member, will be performing that afternoon!)

There will other collection points throughout St. Augustine for the next 6 weeks to include Tim’s Wine Market, Ann O’Malley’s Pub and Mi Casa Café.

Keep in mind that a lot of the homeless and hunger are Veterans and that this organization (Second Harvest) helps feed them.

Family Programs

Open House and Children’s Christmas Party for

Military Families

December 8, 2011

6-9 PM (Please RSVP 315-4620)

190 San Marco Ave (M. W. Lance Armory)

St. Augustine, FL 32084

Heavy hors’ d’ oeuvres and beverages

Children’s activities and door prizes

Visit from Santa (7-8pm) -

Note: Parents should bring a gift not over $20 wrapped with child’s name on it for Santa to present to the child.

Please bring a non-perishable food item to donate to the St. Augustine Music Scene’s 2nd Annual Food Drive for Second Harvest of North Florida.

SPONSORED BY: 1st Militia Chapter, AUSA, NGA-FL and The NCO Club of St. Augustine.