Highlights from MAC MOAA's 2009 Events
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January
The year got off to a rousing start with our annual Installation of New Officers Dinner on January 8, 2009. Our guest speaker was Dr Amit Gupta of the International Security Faculty of the Air War College. Dr Gupta gave an exceptionally informative talk on Pakistan and suggested ways the new administration may want to deal with the security problems posed by the country.
February
February's Luncheon featured an outstanding talk by Dr Mark Conversino of the Air War College Faculty on Russia. Many of us retired "cold warriors" had no idea the changes that had occured in recent years under Putin. An exceptional talk.
March 2009
Guest speaker Dr Keivan Deravi, Professor of Economics at Auburn University of Montgomery gave a timely and thought provoking analysis of the state of the American economy and his thoughts on the best way to recover from the current recession. His talk was very well received.
April 2009
We moved our annual BBQ to April to take advantage of the cooler weather. Wound up being the hottest day in April! However, the food and fellowship were great and everyone had a good time. Kudos to Lt Col Peter Tharp.
May 2009
We moved into the Army's domain for our guest speaker for the May luncheon. Lt Col Scott Brosch updated us on Fort Benning's expanding mission.
June 2009
June was our scholarship award luncheon. This year's winner was Joseph M. Shaw. He plans to attend Auburn in the fall and major in Physics. We were honored to have the Air University Commander, General Allen Peck, as our guest speaker.
July 2009
Sixty MAC MOAA members went "Crusin" on the Alabama River in the Herriott II riverboat. It was a great event. Thanks to Colonel Bob Cerha for these photos.
August
Our speaker for the August luncheon was The Honorable Sue Bell Cobb, the Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court. We were honored that such a distinguished and busy jurist would take the time to visit with us. Chief Justice Cobb told us about the success of the new first time drug user diversionary program she helped introduce in Alabama.
September
In September we were delighted to welcome Dr Lawrence "Buck" Ginter, Professor of International Security Studies at the Air War College located here at Maxwell AFB. He updated us on current developments in North Korea.
October
In October we had the pleasure of welcoming Major General Abner Blalock the Adjutant General for Alabama. General Blalock told us about developments regarding the Albama Air and Army National Guard.
November
November was a very special month. In addition to hosting the Mayor of Montgomery, Mr Todd Strange, as our guest speaker, we chose this month to honor those members of MAC MOAA who had served in World War II. To our happy surprise, of our 420 members, 46 had served in that conflict and 32 were able to make it to the luncheon. Each member was saluted separately with a brief summation of their service. They were presented with a commemorative pin and a personal handshake from Mr Strange.
December
2009's final luncheon featured Rear Admiral W. Clyde Marsh, USN (Ret), currently the Commissioner of the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs who spoke to us on current Department developments and future plans.
