The final LSA 45 class day, hosted by the “Be All You Can Be” team, highlighted the key phases of the military life cycle, from recruitment through retirement, giving the class a better understanding of why San Antonio is known as “Military City U.S.A.”
The day started with the TMI Corps of Cadets color guard presenting the colors, and the national anthem was performed by the San Antonio Youth Orchestra.
Brian Parks, IT Director, Phoenix IT Workforce Operation, USAA (Sergeant First Class, U.S. Army and U.S. Army Reserve Veteran) and Patrick Freshwater, Associate Attorney, USAA (Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army Reserves) discussed military recruitment. Brian showed a video of ‘zero day,’ the day the U.S. Air Force enlisted members arrive in San Antonio for basic training. Patrick was on hand to extend the oath of office to the class members, and Brian shared his experience rising through the ranks and transitioning to civilian life.
Continuing the discussion of the life cycle of a member of our military, Robert Naething, Deputy to Commanding General (SES) at U.S. Army North (Fifth Army), spoke to the class about our City’s history and the origins of the services that now make up Joint Base San Antonio (JBSA).
The class then delved into the cybersecurity mission in San Antonio. Joshua A. Rockhill, Commander 26th Cyberspace Operations Group at JBSA, discussed the importance of the intertwined history of our City and that of the military, how critical community building is for the Military missions, and the need to continue sustaining and growing vital partnerships in the region and uplifting the shared duty we all have in defending national security.
LSA Class 45 also learned about the rich cultural military history on display in San Antonio. John Baines, Founder & Chairman, Vietnam Veterans Memorial of San Antonio, Inc., talked about his role in the development of Veterans Memorial Plaza, and then everyone went on an excursion to locate monuments that highlight and honor our military history.
The study of the lifecycle of a member of the military continued as we focused post-service experiences in the private sector. Randy Harig, CEO, Texas Research & Technology Foundation & VelocityTX (prior U.S. Air Force and Army Reserve), moderated a panel with Tim Jensen, Chief Strategy Officer/Co-Owner, Grunt Style (prior USMC), and Aaron Holland, Co-Owner Team Combat (prior USMC).
The day concluded with a presentation from Sergio “Serg” Dickerson, Colonel (RET), President & CEO for the American GI Forum (AGIF) National Veterans Outreach Program, who talked about how many veterans are one major crisis from becoming homeless and the AGIF’s efforts to advocate for veterans and end veteran homelessness.
Participants were invited to view the art exhibit curated by Bihl Haus. Through this program of creating art, veterans are finding relief and healing from emotional and physical wounds with every brush stroke.
Team “Be All You Can Be” could not have organized our day without the generous support of our sponsors: USAA, Blanco North Dental, NuStar Energy L.P., JP Morgan Chase, University Health, Cheese & Honey, San Antonio in a Box, the spotted Mule, Radius, DocuMation, BCOWW, Yosa, Team Combat, TMI Episcopal, Grunt Style LLC, PMC, Medina River Coffee Roasters and Bihl Haus Arts.
Team BAYCB - Proud Military City USA Supporters: Anna-Melissa Cavazos, Jenness Gough, Roger Bynum, Melissa Mota Ramirez, Mark Moran, Michelle Moreno, Stacie Morales, and Ingrid Etienne: Steering Committee: Alex Rapp and Alison Wiesenthal.
