THE
DISPATCH A PUBLIC ATION OF THE ARMY AND NAV Y CLUB AUGUST 2019
Take off with The Army and Navy Club's Travel Club
A LETTER FROM THE
CON T E N TS
PRESIDENT
MG Daniel V. Wright, USA (Ret.) dwright@armynavyclub.org
Membership Member News and more ..... 4 Club Life Club News and more ..... 6 Upcoming Events Dining Events and more ..... 8
Because it's nearing the end of summer, I'm going to try to keep this note short as I'm sure many of you are on your summer holidays. If you're already planning ahead for your next big adventure, you will more than likely find some inspiration in this issue. Our very own ANC Travel Club, a Club within the Club, has some terrific trips organized over the next year, which you can learn more about on pages 12-15.
On the Cover Travel Club ..... 12 Regular Features Library Trust Fund Update ..... 16 History Vault ..... 17
ON T H E COV E R
"Time to Travel" cover designed by Ariana Pierce
These trips range from a weekend trip to Philadelphia to a cruise around Italy and the Greek Isles. Not only are they a great way to see the world, but they’re also a great way to meet other Club members you might not have had the opportunity to meet before. If your schedule doesn't permit you to travel, then you can always come to the Club for one of our themed Sunday brunches and at least get a taste of other cultures. On Sunday, August 11 the brunch will have an Asian theme and on Sunday, August 25, you'll be able to get a taste of the Mediterranean. I should also note that the last two Rooftop Happy Hours of the year are coming up on August 21 and September 18. Make sure to reserve your spot before they're all gone because they won't be back until 2020! In more mundane news, I want to bring to your attention that effective July 1, the District of Columbia increased its minimum wage. We have also noticed that the Club's fixed expenses have increased by 8%. The General Manager and the staff will work hard to mitigates the effects of these items, but as members, you deserve to know. I hope you all enjoy the rest of your summer, and look forward to seeing you in September when events really kick off again with book forums, wine and liquor tastings, and so much more. Safe travels!
T H E DISPATCH M AGA Z I N E
A Publication of The Army and Navy Club on Farragut Square
AUGUST 2 019 Editor Elizabeth Juskie Art Direction & Design Ariana Pierce
A Platinum Club of America
DI R EC TORY & HOU R S Accounting 202-534-3194 9am-5pm (Monday-Friday) Membership & Marketing 202-721-2091 9am-5pm (Monday-Friday) Catering & Sales 202-355-0525 9am-5pm (Monday-Friday)
MG Daniel V. Wright, USA (Ret.) President
Dining & Hotel Reservations 202-628-8400 Open 24/7
The President and the Club would like to welcome the following deployed members back to the Club. Thank you for your continued service, valor and sacrifice. Welcome home!
Library 202-721-2096 7am-11pm (Monday-Sunday)
Capt James S. C. Baehr MAJ Hayes B. Preston, MD, ANG (Ret.)
Librarian on Site 9am-5pm (Monday-Thursday) 9am-12pm (Friday)
2 | THE DISPATCH
A LETTER FROM THE
BOA R D OF G OV E R NOR S
GENERAL MANAGER & COO
MG Daniel V. Wright, USA (Ret.) President
John L. Warnack, ECM, CCM
Col James A. Bracken, USMC (Ret.) Vice President and Club Historian
jwarnack@armynavyclub.org
CAPT James H. Czerwonky, USN (Ret.) Secretary COL Holly O’Grady Cook, USA (Ret.) Treasurer Lt Col John H. La Raia, USAFR (Ret.) Finance Committee, Chairman
B-2 LEVEL FACELIFT Work on our B-2 level has begun. The capital improvement project includes an updated entrance to our newly renovated Fitness Center that features: • All new state-of-the-art Life Fitness brand exercise equipment • Peloton bike • New treadmills • New rowing machine • New dumbbell racks • New mirrors • Sony large format TV display • New LED lighting • Freshly painted walls and ceiling • New performance cork flooring • New filtered water bottle filling station • Complimentary chilled hand towels • New Service Academy artwork In addition, we plan to replace the racquetball court floor this month. Our ANC Wellness Initiative also includes all new healthy breakfast, lunch and dinner menus. Gluten free, vegan and locally sourced food items are prominently featured, as well as items from our Rooftop Garden. THE PATH FORWARD
COL Marc L. Warren, USA (Ret.) House Committee, Chairman CDR Christopher P. Thomas, USN (Ret.) Membership Committee, Chairman Col Eugene P. Gay, USAF (Ret.) Special Events Committee, Chairman BG Malinda Ellen Dunn, USA (Ret.) Governor Capt Donald Hooper, USMC Governor LTG Larry R. Jordan, USA (Ret.) Governor COL Michael Kirby, USA (Ret.) Governor Brig Gen Edward Rodriguez Jr., USAFR (Ret.) Governor Lt Col Euseekers Williams Jr., USMC (Ret.) Governor COL Thomas F. Woloszyn, USA (Ret.) Governor Curator Maj William Lang, USAF (Ret.)
L I BR A RY T RUST F U N D MG John D. Altenburg Jr., USA (Ret.) Chairman
E X ECU T I V E STA FF
Our Finance Committee; led by Lt Col John H. La Raia, USAFR (Ret.); and our Strategic Planning Committee; led by Col James A. Bracken, USMC (Ret.); took the leap to procure a Capital Reserve Study in order to get a concrete, datadriven strategy. The ANC is on much surer footing as it moves forward, and the Board leadership takes great comfort in having factual statistical comparisons – benchmarks and reality based financial projections to validate its decisions and recommendations it makes to the membership. Through bold leadership commitment and forward thinking, they have built a clear path to the future!
John L. Warnack, CCM, CFBE General Manager & Chief Operating Officer 202-721-2094 Sarah Ford Director of Finance 202-721-2087 Mark Peckham Director of Human Resources 202-721-2084 Elizabeth Juskie Director of Membership, Marketing & Communications 202-721-2091
Have a great vacation!
Tibor Szabo Director of House Operations 202-721-2083 Patrick Grady Director of Food & Beverage 202-721-2089
John L. Warnack General Manager & COO
Kirk DeLoach Executive Chef 202-721-2092 3 | AUGUST 2019
MEMBERSHIP // MEMBER NEWS
Club Member COL Robert E. Love, USMC was recently recognized by the Naval Postgraduate School Alumni Association & Foundation in their NPS Alumni Spotlight. To read the full article, please visit www.npsfoundation.org and type 'Robert Love' in the search bar. COL Love is currently Chief of Staff to the 33rd Under Secretary of the Navy.
Club Member LT Richard D. Parker carried the May 2019 issue of The Dispatch to read over the Memorial Day weekend during his hike of the 84 mile Hadrian's Wall Path National Trail in England.
Club Member Dr. Theodore T. Kim recently visited reciprocal club Grémio Literário in Lisbon, Portugal. Dr. Kim received a lovely tour by the Secretary of the club, Ms. Paula Lourenco.
Club Member COL Raymond T. Waity, USA (Ret.) and wife JoAnn recently returned from a visit to the Netherlands where on June 6, they lunched at the Koninklijke Industrieele Groote Club in Amsterdam. A memorable way to commemorate the 75th anniversary of D-day and an early 75th birthday treat for COL Waity!
Club Member Dr. Daniel Koski-Karell, as of recent, has been working as the Senior Archaeologist on the U.S. Coast Guard project to recover oil from a historic World War II shipwreck. It is the oil tanker COIMBRA, sunk by a German U-boat in January 1942 offshore of Long Island, NY. Above is a photograph of Dr. Koski-Karell (center) and the Coast Guard team aboard the work vessel.
Club members CAPT James P. Nickols, USN (Ret.) and wife Janell are seen here at Icey Straight Point, Alaska. They were aboard Royal Caribbean's Ovation of the Seas for 11 nights.
Club member LTC Edward Lee Pearce, USA (Ret.) and son Peyson visited Normandy, France on June 18. They are seen here in the town of Sainte-Mère-Église on the Band of Brothers Tour.
In June, Club Member Adam Roosevelt met with members of congress in New York City to discuss military veterans and national security issues. While in NYC he received Maverick PAC's Future 40 Award which identifies future leaders across the 50 states that represent exemplary service to the nation and community. He dedicated the award to veterans and active duty members as a tribute to the fallen heroes. Club Member Ms. Serina N. Vandegrift is seen holding the May 2019 issue of The Dispatch in Petra, Jordan.
Congratulations are in oder for Club Member Dr. Alyson Kil, USA. Dr. Kil graduated from Occupational and Environmental Medicine Residency at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in June, and will be stationed at Army Public Health Center. She also is engaged to be married on August 31, 2019 to CPT John Hussell (pictured on the right), radiology resident also at Walter Reed.
N E WS WO RTH Y Do you have something exciting that you would like to share with the Club? We encourage you all to share your stories, achievements, and positive goings-on. Please send your news and photos to Ariana Pierce at apierce@armynavyclub.org.
SOU N D I N G TA P S
Our heartfelt sympathy to the family and friends of: Mr. Robert H. Kirst – Somerset, PA Mr. John T. Miller, Jr. – Arlington, VA
4 | THE DISPATCH
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT // MEMBERSHIP
Member Spotlight MADELINE CAPORICCIO Highly respected, a popular, loyal, creative contributor Madeline Caporiccio is a long time, Special Events Committee member recognized for her creativity, “can-do” attitude and wonderful charm. She is a star performer.
M
adeline and her husband Richard are native Philadelphians. They both are frequently seen loyally supporting Club events with great enthusiasm and are major contributors to our Club's camaraderie. Madeline is a skilled business woman; the wife of a retired Army officer; the mother of four adult children, two of whom were commissioned officers of the U.S. Army; and a perfect representative of our great Club as we "moved" into the twenty-first century. Madeline was one of our early pioneers bringing balance to our great Club's genre of activities for our female members. In this regard, she and others have played an evolving role, growing the Club's forums and special events. She has now taken the lead in producing and directing the enormously successful "Annual Celebration of Women’s Roles in the Success of the Military." From this success evolved the Storhman Turner Sub-Committee (STS), named after one of the first female members of our Club. The goal being to promote book forums, events and luncheons that appeal to a broad range of membership. Madeline is famous for her high energy, "can-do" attitude, creativity and charming manner – all of which place her in high demand. When asked which venues she has enjoyed most, she quickly ran off a litany of her favorites stating that being part of the Special Events Committee (SEC) of the ANC has been a "Master Class" for her. Madeline stated she has been most fortunate to chair the last two annual women's luncheons and had the opportunity to personally meet Lieutenant General Nadja West, the Army Surgeon General, and Brigadier General Anne F. Macdonald, one of the first female graduates of West Point. Two very accomplished and dedicated women who helped pave the way for women in the Armed Forces today. Last year she had the pleasure of being seated with Senator Elizabeth Dole, the luncheon honoree, whom she found to be a warm and witty woman who could hold her own in any situation. Madeline has had the lead in many, successful forums, among them "The Code Girls" and "The Hello Girls." Her latest endeavor, the formation of our ANC Travel Club, will be having their first weekend getaway this October in Philadelphia, and staying at the Union League Club. We are indeed fortunate to have Madeline on our team. Thank you, Madeline, for all you do for our great Club! ◄
5 | AUGUST 2019
Top photo (from left to right): Joyce Soyster, Carolyn d’Avis and Madeline Caporiccio. Middle photo (from left to right): COL Thomas Woloszyn, LtCol Peter McCarthy and Madeline Caporiccio. Bottom photo (from left to right): Gia Colombraro, Madeline Caporiccio and Senator Elizabeth Dole.
By Lt. Col. Peter R. McCarthy, USMC (Ret.) Former Chair, Special Events Committee; Recipient of The Army and Navy Club Distinguished Service Award
CLUB LIFE // CLUB NEWS
THE ARMY AND NAVY CLUB WELCOMES THE FOLLOWING NEW MEMBERS CALIFORNIA Mr. Stephen J. Murphy (LT, USN) COLORADO LTJG Carl Loescher, USNR CONNECTICUT Mr. Evan Barnet (LT, ARNG) Mr. Pete Mumma DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA CDR Michael Barna, USN Dr. Brian L. Pike (LCDR, USN) FLORIDA Mr. George Davidson (LT, USN) GEORGIA ENS Lauren G. O’Malley, USN COL Louie Scales, Jr., USA (Ret.) HAWAII MAJ Raymond W. O’Donnell, USA IDAHO Mr. Zachary D. Tudor (LT, USN) INDIANA Dr. David E. Wilmot (MG, USA) MASSACHUSETTS CPT Luis A. Arauz, USA Dr. Eric H. Twerdahl (LCDR, USN) MARYLAND Dr. Sarah Arnold (CAPT, USPHS) MAJ Jasmine W. Motupalli, USA Col Louise Shumate, USAF Maj Ferris Ridgely Bond, USMC ENS Colin Gallacher, USN 2LT Cecelia Givens, USA LT Benjamin Sampson, USN MINNESOTA CPT Todd E. R. Strom, USAR NEW JERSEY CAPT Kenneth R. Blackmon, USN
RHODE ISLAND CDR Daniel Lynch, USN (Ret.) Maj Nicholas Mull, USMC (Ret.) SOUTH CAROLINA ENS Ellis R. Moore, USN TENNESSEE CPT Daniel Kunze, USAR TEXAS Mr. Monte Ferguson (CPT, USA) Lt Col David Holmes, USAF (Ret.) Dr. Randolph Lipscher (CPT, ARNG) Mr. Darin Kent Olson Lt Col Gregory Radabaugh, USAF (Ret.) CPT Alan Verdin, USA Mr. John R.Wilhite (CPT, USA) VIRGINIA LT Ryan James Alexander, USN Lt Col Stacee Bako, USAF 1stLt Peter M. Bates, USMC LTC Erhan Bedestani, USA Maj Greg Butler, USMC (Ret.) 1LT Joseph M. Donato, USA Lt Col Edward Ferguson, USAF Mr. John Gerlaugh (Capt, USMC) Mr. Thomas F. Good LT David M. Hall, USNR 1LT David Anthony Kotz, ARNG Ms. Marianthi McMahon CAPT Pat McClanahan, USN CPT Elizabeth Olcese, USA Lt Col Stewart Parker, USAF CDR Thomas Reitmeyer, USN (Ret.) COL John D. Renaud, USA (Ret.) COL Mark A. Schreiber, USA Dr. Neil Small (LCDR, USN) Ms. Jessica Svetlana Trent Judge David L. Welch (1LT, USAR) INTERNATIONAL Lt Col Stephen Hunt, USAF
SU M M E R D I N I N G C LOSU R E S M A I N D I N I N G RO O M During the month of July, the Seafood Buffet will only be offered on Tuesday, July 16 and Tuesday, July 30. The Seafood Buffet will not be offered in the month of August. The Seafood Buffet will return to the Main Dining Room on Tuesday, September 10.
E AG LE G R I LL The Eagle Grill will be closed starting July 1 through September 3. During that time, the Bullpen and Pershing Room will be available for members and guests who prefer the Eagle Grill dress code. The Main Dining Room menu will be served. The Eagle Grill will reopen on Wednesday, September 4.
D I N I N G H OU RS M A I N D I N I N G RO O M
Breakfast Coat required/tie optional Monday - Friday 7:00 am - 10:00 am Sunday 10:00 am - 2:00 pm Lunch Coat required/tie optional Monday - Friday 11:30 am - 2:00 pm Dinner Coat and tie required Monday - Friday 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm Saturday 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm Reservations in the Main Dining Room are required. Please call 202-628-8400 for reservations.
DA I Q U I R I LO U N G E
NEW YORK MAJ Bryan A. Stech, USA
Coat required/tie optional Monday 3:00 pm - 9:00 pm Tuesday - Saturday 3:00 pm - 11:00 pm
NORTH CAROLINA Rep Gary A. Franks LTC Franklin Huffman
E AG LE G R I LL
Coat and tie not required Monday - Friday 12:00 pm - 2:30 pm 6 | THE DISPATCH
CLUB NEWS // CLUB LIFE
FITNESS CENTER UPDATE IS COMPLETE!
AUGUST 24, 2019 Celebrating the shops, schools, restaurants, clubs, parks, arts and folks of the 17th street corridor. This annual festival honors the incredible diversity of restaurants and retailers on 17th Street NW in Dupont Circle. Taking place on Saturday, August 24, more than 100 vendors will be on-hand showcasing their offerings and over 60 artists will display jewelry, crafts, fine art and more. There will also be live music, a kids' zone featuring a moon bounce and a pet zone for those looking to shop or adopt a new pet!
The newly updated Fitness Center reopened on Tuesday, July 9, after being closed for a month! Updates include state-of-the-art Life Fitness brand exercise equipment, Peloton bike, freshly painted walls and ceiling, new rubber flooring, new filtered water bottle filling station, complimentary water bottles and chilled hand towels, and much more! Use of the fitness facility is complimentary with ANC membership.
OKTOBERFEST AT THE ANC
Raise a stein to the fall's biggest celebration of beer and kick-off Oktoberfest at the ANC! The Daiquiri Lounge will offer drink specials starting on Saturday, September 21 through Sunday, October 6. The Lounge is open Monday from 3 pm to 9 pm, and Tuesday-Saturday from 3 pm to 11 pm. Please note that traditional business attire is acceptable in the Daiquiri Bar and Lounge. A coat and collared shirt are required for men. Neckties are optional. Equally appropriate attire is required for women. Reservations are not required.
Location: 17th Street NW from P Street to R Street, NW, in Washington DC — the 1500 and 1600 blocks of 17th Streets, NW.
100+ VENDORS
50+ ARTISTS
JULY + AUGUST HOTEL RATES FOR MEMBERS LIVE MUSIC
KIDS ZONE
For more information, please visit the website: www.17thstreetfestival.org
Members can enjoy 15% off hotel rates in July and 25% off hotel rates in August. For hotel reservations, please contact the Front Desk at 202-628-8400 to guarantee these special rates! July
August
Standard
$200
$176
King
$214
$188
Deluxe
$241
$212
Premium
$283
$250
BOOK YOUR DC GETAWAY TODAY! Complimentary breakfast during the weekdays and continental breakfast on the weekends are extended to all hotel guests. For Members only and subject to availability. All hotel rooms must be paid for by the Member. Restrictions may apply.
7 | AUGUST 2019
CLUB PROGR AMS // EVENTS
LUNCH AND A LECTURE SERIES
BOOK FORUM
"George & Barbara Bush: A Great American Love Story" with Ellie LeBlond Sosa
"Redefining the Modern Military: The Intersection of Profession and Ethics" Edited by Nathan K. Finney and Tyrell O. Mayfield
Friday, September 13, 2019 Lunch: 11:30 am | Presentation: 12:15 pm* Price: $24++ per person *Please note the different start time.
Tuesday, September 24, 2019 Reception: 6:30 pm | Speaker: 7 pm Price: $10 per person
From teenage love, to World War II, to the White House—a love affair for the ages rooted in family and service. Through a lifetime's worth of letters, photographs, and stories, Ellie LeBlond Sosa and coauthor Kelly Anne Chase paint the portrait of the enduring relationship of George and Barbara Bush. Sharing intimate interviews with the Bushes and family friends, this is a never-beforeseen look into the private life of a very public couple.
Nathan Finney and Tyrell Mayfield, editors of Redefining the Modern Military, will be discussing the importance of re-examining the profession of arms during and between conflicts, as well the impact of modern warfare and social online communications on the military. This edited collection will expand upon and refine the ideas on the role of ethics and the profession in the 21st Century. The authors delve into whether Samuel Huntington and Morris Janowitz still ring true in the 21st century; whether training and continuing education play a role in defining a profession; and if there is a universal code of ethics required for the military as a profession.
THEMED BRUNCHES
Asian Brunch Sunday, August 11, 2019 Seatings from 10 am to 2 pm $37++ pp (plus 15% gratuity and 10% tax) Please call 202-628-8400 for reservations.
Mediterranean Brunch Sunday, August 25, 2019 Seatings from 10 am to 2 pm $37++ pp (plus 15% gratuity and 10% tax) Please call 202-628-8400 for reservations.
German Brunch Sunday, September 22, 2019 Seatings from 10 am to 2 pm $37++ pp (plus 15% gratuity and 10% tax) Please call 202-628-8400 for reservations.
Taste something new at our Asian inspired Brunch! Enjoy a creative and delicious menu, fusing dishes from across Asia.
Come to Club for a Mediterranean-inspired Brunch! Enjoy a seasonal menu featuring local ingredients and Mediterranean flair!
Save the airfare and get a little taste of Germany at the Club! Enjoy a traditional German-inspired brunch featuring authentic German breakfast favorites.
Take Happy Hour Up a Level
Rooftop Happy Hour Series Wednesday, August 21 - Sold out! Wednesday, September 18 - Limited spots available! 6 to 8 pm Army Navy Building Rooftop $24++ per person (plus 15% gratuity and 10% tax) Please check-in for the event in the Eagle Grill. We are nearing the end of our Rooftop Happy Hour Series! Enjoy the warmer weather; complimentary heavy hors d'oeuvres; and happy hour pricing on a selection of wine, beer and specialty cocktails. Please note that the event price includes food. Drinks will be by chit. Please contact Elizabeth Newcomer at 202-355-0505 or enewcomer@armynavyclub. org to be added to the waitlist. 8 | THE DISPATCH
EVENTS // CLUB PROGR AMS
PROSPECTIVE MEMBER MIXER
FOX CONNER SOCIETY
Wednesday, August 7, 2019 6-7:30 pm | Eagle Grill Please call 202-721-2091 for reservations.
Monday, August 26 & Monday, September 30 6 pm | Daiquiri Lounge
All ANC Members are invited to bring a guest (or 2!) to the Prospective Member Mixer on Wednesday, August 7. The casual mixer will include a complimentary reception with wine and hors d’oeuvres, as well as optional Club tours. This is a great opportunity for you to show off your Club! Reservations are required.
The Fox Conner Society gathers once a month for drinks, a round table discussion and dinner. It's more than just a book club; the primary focus is building relationships and camaraderie among like-minded professionals. Reservations are requested, please contact COL Thomas Woloszyn, USA (Ret.) at FoxConnerSociety@gmail.com.
DINNER AND JAZZ NIGHT
CYBER CLUB Monday, August 12 & Monday, September 9 6 pm | John Paul Jones/Iwo Jima Room Reservations are not required. The Cyber Club provides a forum where members can meet new friends, network with each other and the broader cyber industry, explore employment opportunities, and/or encourage the hiring of transitioning military Club members. The Cyber Club meets once a month for mixers with guided discussions and formal presentations. For more information on how to become a part of the Cyber Club, please email Capt Don Hooper at ANCCyberClub@outlook.com.
Friday, September 13, 2019 Seatings from 6-9 pm Main Dining Room Please call 202-628-8400 for reservations. The Army and Navy Club invites you to a vibrant night of dinner and jazz! Enjoy live music and a menu of classics sure to delight.
NEW MEMBER ORIENTATION Tuesday, September 17, 2019 6-7:30 pm | Ballroom Please call 202-355-0505 for reservations.
JOINT SERVICE ACADEMY BUSINESS MIXER August 13, 2019 5-8pm | Ballroom Reservations are required. The Club will host the Joint Service Academy Business Mixer on August 13! The event is open to Service Academy and Military College/University graduates who do business locally. This is a great way to meet other area service academy graduates and to expand your network. Acceptances only. For reservations, please send your name, academy and class year to Jess Posey at bwjessposey@gmail.com.
PRIME RIB NIGHT Friday, August 23, 2019 Seatings from 6-9 pm $40++ per person (plus 15% gratuity and 10% tax) Please call 202-628-8400 for reservations. Enjoy freshly roasted prime rib served with a twice-baked potato, seasonal vegetables and your choice of a dessert. The regular Ă la carte menu will also be available.
Orientations are a great way for new members to meet Club staff, other new members, and become familiar with all of the programming the ANC has to offer. The reception begins at 6:00 pm and includes heavy hors d'oeuvres, optional Club tours, and all the information you'll need to get the most out of your membership. Reservations are required.
HEADSHOTS AND HAPPY HOUR Thursday, September 26, 2019 6-7:30 pm | Eagle Grill $20 per person Please call 202-355-0505 for reservations. Looking to get a new or updated professional headshot? Need a fresh photo for LinkedIn? Join the Professional Members Network for "Headshots and Happy Hour" to network with other DC professionals and get a professional-style headshot. Registration fee includes light hors d'oeuvres, a selection of wine and beer, and one digital file. Photos will be taken on a rolling basis throughout the event and is first-come, firstserved. Digital files will be sent to you via email within 30 days of the event.
9 | AUGUST 2019
6:00pm Prospective Member Mixer
6:00pm Young Members Happy Hour
10:00am Asian Brunch
8/7
8/8
8/11
8/25 10:00am Mediterranean Brunch
6:00pm Prime Rib Night
8/23 5:30pm Dinner and a Show at the Kennedy Center: Aladdin
8/21 6:00pm Rooftop Happy Hour
8/13 5:00pm Joint Service Academy Business Mixer
1:30pm Sold out! Visit the International Spy Museum
8/4
EVENTS SNAPSHOT
Cyber Club
12 Eagle Grill Closed
5 Eagle Grill Closed
MONDAY
25 Mediterranean Brunch
No Seafood Buffet
Fox Conner Society
28 Eagle Grill Closed
Rooftop Happy Hour
No Seafood Buffet
27 Eagle Grill Closed
21 Eagle Grill Closed
14 Eagle Grill Closed
Prospective Member Mixer
7 Eagle Grill Closed
WEDNESDAY
20 Eagle Grill Closed
No Seafood Buffet
Joint Service Academy Business Mixer
13 Eagle Grill Closed
No Seafood Buffet
6 Eagle Grill Closed
TUESDAY
26 Eagle Grill Closed
18 19 Champagne Brunch Eagle Grill Closed
11 Asian Brunch
Visit the International Spy Museum
Champagne Brunch
4 Coast Guard Birthday
SUNDAY
AUG UST
29 Eagle Grill Closed
22 Eagle Grill Closed
15 Eagle Grill Closed
8 Eagle Grill Closed
1 Eagle Grill Closed
THURSDAY
30 Eagle Grill Closed
Prime Rib Night
Dinner and a Show at the Kennedy Center: Aladdin
23 Eagle Grill Closed
16 Eagle Grill Closed
9 Eagle Grill Closed
Daiquiri Lounge Closed from 5:307:30pm
Dinner in the Eagle Grill
2 Eagle Grill Closed
FRIDAY
31
24
17
Daiquiri Lounge Closed from 5:307:30pm
10 Dinner in the Eagle Grill
3 Chess Group
SATURDAY
6:00pm Young Members Happy Hour
6:00am New Member Orientation
9/26 6:00pm Professional Members Network: Happy Hour
9/24 6:30pm Nathan Finney and Tyrell Mayfield Book Forum: "Redefining the Modern Military"
9/22 10:00am German-Themed Brunch
9/18 6:00pm Rooftop Happy Hour
9/17
6:00pm Dinner and Jazz Night
9/13 11:30am Lunch Series: ""George & Barbara Bush: A Great American Love Story" with Ellie LeBlond Sosa
9/5
EVENTS SNAPSHOT
23
29 30 Champagne Brunch Fox Conner Society
22 German-Themed Brunch
15 16 Champagne Brunch Rooftop Happy Hour
18 Air Force Birthday
11
4 Eagle Grill Reopens
WEDNESDAY
Seafood Buffet
24 25 Nathan Finney and Wine Society Tyrell Mayfield Book Forum
Seafood Buffet
17 New Member Orientation
10 Seafood Buffet
8 9 Champagne Brunch Cyber Club
3 Eagle Grill Closed
TUESDAY
No Seafood Buffet
MONDAY
1 2 Champagne Brunch LABOR DAY Club Closed Hotel Open
SUNDAY
S E P TE M B E R
26 PMN: Happy Hour
19
12
5
THURSDAY 7
27
20
Dinner and Jazz Night
SATURDAY
28
21
13 14 Lunch Series: "George & Barbara Bush: A Great American Love Story"
6
FRIDAY
ON THE COVER // TRAVEL CLUB
Military Historical Tours Presents "All of Ireland" Tour September 12 - October 1, 2019
The Travel Club, a Club within the Club, together with the Military Historical Tours (MHT), is taking Club members to the Emerald Isle to see what many may have missed including the North Counties: Dublin, Belfast, Giant's Causeway, Aran Islands, Limerick, Galway, Glens of Antrim and Derry. Don't miss this excellent trip to see all the U.S. military sites of World War II. The tour is from Tuesday, September 17 through Tuesday, October 1, 2019. The price is $3,275.00 (based on double occupancy). For more information on the tour, please contact Major Bill McCulloch, USMC (Ret.) at 703-590-1295 or bmcculloch@miltours.com.
IRELAND ITINERARY
Cliffs of Moher
Day 1 (Sept. 17): Overnight Flight to Dublin • Depart for overnight flight to Dublin to arrive by 10 am local time on Sept. 18. Day 2-4 (Sept. 18-20): Dublin • Meet your Tour Leader at the Airport in Dublin and kick off the Ireland tour. Day 5-6 (Sept. 21-22): Dublin - County Clare & Limerick • Attractions visited: Irish National Stud & Gardens; Cliffs of Moher; Foynes Flying Boat & Maritime Museum; Bunratty Folk Park & Castle; and Bunratty Castle Medieval Banquet. Day 7 (Sept. 23): Limerick - Galway • Attractions visited: Downtown Galway and Ferry to The Aran Islands. Day 8-9 (Sept. 24-25): Limerick - Enniskillen • Attractions visited: Grave of W.B Yeats at Drumcliffe Church; Lissadell House; Belleek Pottery; Castle Archdale; Eisenhower Field; Colebrooke Park; Inniskillings Museum; and Enniskillen Castle.
Enniskillen Castle
Day 10-11 (Sept. 26-27): Enniskillen - Derry • Attractions visited: Beech Hill; Battle of the Atlantic Memorial; Peace Bridge; City Wall Tour; St. Augustine's Cathedral; and Guildhall. Day 12-13 (Sept. 28-29): Derry - Causeway Coast & Belfast • Attractions visited: Glens of Antrim; Giants Causeway; Dunluce Castle; Bushmills Distillery; Brownlow House Headquarters for WWII U.S. Forces; Eisenhower WWII Memorial; RMS Titanic Museum; and more. Day 14 (Sept. 30): Belfast - Dublin • Spend the day sightseeing around Belfast. Day 15 (Oct. 1): Dublin Departure Flight • Bid farewell to the Emerald Isle as you fly from Dublin International Airport.
QUESTIONS ABOUT THE TOUR? mhtours@miltours.com 12 | THE DISPATCH
703-590-1295
TRAVEL CLUB // ON THE COVER
The Travel Club Presents the "City of Philadelphia" Weekend Trip October 18 - 20, 2019
Whether you know the way around the city or have never been, join the ANC Travel Club for a personalized, 5-star weekend getaway experience to Philadelphia; home to the Liberty Bell, the Declaration of Independence, and other American Revolutionary sites. Members will enjoy exclusive tours of the must-see sites, and the opportunity to meet and reconnect with fellow ANC members in a unique setting. The trip is scheduled from Friday, October 18, through Sunday, October 20, 2019. For your convenience, a block of 10 hotel rooms has been reserved at the Union League Club in Philadelphia for ANC members. A standard hotel room is $240 per night plus tax. To make a reservation, please make arrangements with the Union League Club in Philadelphia by calling 215-563-6500 and mention Madeline Caporiccio.
PHILADELPHIA ITINERARY
Union League of Philadelphia
Day 1 (Oct. 18): Travel to Philadelphia • Depart for Philadelphia. Please note that transportation is not included. Travel by train or car is the best option. Parking at the Union League Club is $35 per day. • 3 pm: Check-in time at the Union League Club. • 6 pm: Meet and greet at the Union League Bar. • 7:30: Dinner at a local neighborhood Italian restaurant. Please note that transportation to the restaurant is not included. Suggestions for transportation include a taxi or an Uber. Day 2 (Oct. 19): Explore East Philadelphia • 8 am: Complimentary breakfast at the Union League Club. Benjamin Franklin Parkway
• 9:30 am: A day exploring "America’s Most Historic Square Mile." Attractions visited: Liberty Bell, Betsy Ross House, Independence Hall, and the Museum of American Revolution. • Lunch will be on your own with a chance to explore the city. Maps will be provided. • 7 pm: Dinner at the Union League Club. Day 3 (Oct. 20): Explore West Philadelphia • 8 am: Complimentary breakfast at the Union League Club. • 11 am: Check-out time.
TRANSPORTATION RECOMMENDATIONS
• 11:30 am: Depart for Tour of Barnes Foundation
Plane: travel time is approximately 1 hour.
• 2:30 pm: (Optional) Farewell Lunch at Parc Restaurant.
Amtrak Train: travel time is approximately 2 hours. Car: travel time is approximately 2.5 hours.
QUESTIONS ABOUT THE TRIP? mcaporiccio@mcenearney.com
The Union League of Philadelphia 140 South Broad St. Philadelphia, PA 19102 13 | AUGUST 2019
ON THE COVER // TRAVEL CLUB
Thalassa Journeys Presents the "Mediterranean Sea Through the Ages" Cruise April 24 - May 5, 2020
Join Distinguished Guest Lecturer, and fellow Army and Navy Club member, Admiral James Stavridis on a voyage from Rome to Athens. On this voyage between two of the Mediterranean’s most venerable and storied cities, Rome and Athens, you will have the opportunity to visit some of its most important and attractive port towns and islands. Admiral James Stavridis is the Distinguished Guest Lecturer on the voyage. A retired 4-star United States Navy admiral, Admiral Stavridis served as the commander of U.S. Southern Command and commander of U.S. European Command and NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe, the first Navy officer to hold these positions. His lectures and discussions will add meaning to the voyage and highlight the importance of the Mediterranean throughout history. Anastasia Akrivaki, a resident of Athens, is a field archaeologist, who, for many years excavated in Akrotiri, Santorini’s incredible prehistoric town. Her lectures will bring to life the ancient sites you will visit. The ship for the voyage is the Star Pride, one of the finest cruise ships in the Mediterranean. Featuring all-suite accommodations, the smallest of which measures a generous 277 square feet, several lovely public facilities, as well as ample open deck space. The group throughout the voyage will be comprised of Admiral and Mrs. Stavridis, Anastasia and approximately 30 travelers who will enjoy their private lectures and the all–inclusive and exclusive shore excursions during the trip. For more information on the cruise and the registration process, please call toll-free 866-633-3611 or visit www.thalassajourneys.com.
About Thalassa Journeys Thalassa Journeys was established by the principals and managers of Travel Dynamics, the company that 50 years ago pioneered the concept of educational travel for America’s educational and cultural institutions. The belief that travel is primarily a learning experience forms the core principle of Thalassa Journeys. We bring an unrivaled depth of experience to make your journey with us meaningful, unique and seamless. We will take you not only to marvelous places, but we will also bridge the past with the present, illuminate the ancient sites we explore – what they were, how they came to be, and why they matter to us – make them come alive, and enrich your mind and inspire your senses.
QUESTIONS ABOUT THE CRUISE? colin@thalassajourneys.com
14 | THE DISPATCH
Toll-Free 866-633-3611
Santorini, Greece
ITINERARY Day 1 (Apr. 24): Depart the USA • Depart for Rome, Italy. Day 2 (Apr. 25): Rome/Civitavecchia Embarkation • Arrive in Rome and transfer to the port of Civitavecchia to embark on the Star Pride. Day 4 (Apr. 26): Ponza, Pontine Islands • Arrive in Ponza and explore the island. Day 5 (Apr. 27): Sorrento & the Amalfi Coast or Pompeii & Herculaneum • The old town of Sorrento, where the ship will spend the day, stands on a cliff rising from the sea. From here, travel the celebrated Amalfi Drive. • Alternatively, explore Pompeii and Herculaneum. Day 5 (Apr. 28): Taormina, Italy • Visit the ancient Greek theater and explore the city’s narrow streets and lovely gardens. Day 6 (Apr. 29): Valletta, Malta • Tour the city in the morning, including St. John’s CoCathedral and the Cathedral Museum. Day 7 (Apr. 30): At Sea • Spend the day at sea cruising to Greece. Day 8 (May 1): Cephalonia, Ionian Islands, Greece • Arrive in the morning in Cephalonia and explore the island, noted for its striking mountainous landscape. Day 9 (May 2): Delphi & the Corinth Canal • Star Pride will navigate through the steep-walled Corinth Canal. Day 10 (May 3): Milos • Disembark in the port of Adamas. Day 11 (May 4): Santorini • Be on deck as the ship approaches Santorini to admire the spectacle of the island’s town of Phira. Day 12 (May 5): Athens/USA • Disembark at Athens’ port of Piraeus and transfer to the airport for the return flight home.
15 | AUGUST 2019
PROGRAM INCLUSIONS • Ten-night cruise aboard the Star Pride. • Suite accommodations offering ocean views. • All meals aboard ship, with nonalcoholic beverages included. • Welcome reception aboard ship. • Airport/pier transfers and handling of luggage. • Exclusive tours and excursions as described in the itinerary with professional English-speaking guides. • Entrance fees to museums and historic sites. • Gratuities to ship’s crew, guides, drivers and porters. • All local taxes, including port dues and embarkation taxes. • Lectures and discussions by Admiral James Stavridis and Anastasia Akrivaki. • Complete pre-departure material. NOT INCLUDED: Airfare; travel insurance; expenses of a personal nature; any items not mentioned in the Itinerary and the Program Inclusions.
OPTIONAL EXTENSIONS In conjunction with the cruise, an optional two-day pre-cruise stay in Rome, and an optional two-day post-cruise extension to Athens will be offered. In addition to fine hotel accommodations, tours to the most important landmark sites of the two ancient cities will be included. Details will be provided upon registration.
LIBR ARY TRUST FUND // UPDATE
A Letter from the Library Trust Chairman MG John D. Altenburg, USA (Ret.)
D-Day 75th Anniversary Exhibition: May 24 – August 31 in the Eagle Grill Due to overwhelming support and enthusiasm, The Army and Navy Club's D-Day 75th Anniversary exhibition in the Eagle Grill will remain on view through the end of August. The summer season presents a wonderful opportunity to visit the exhibition and explore the rest of our art collection, as the Club's pace is slower and its hallways quieter through the "dog days." On page 16 of this issue, you can read an extended feature about artist Bill Adair's Omaha Door, which is one in a series that includes the Normandy Door, part of our D-Day exhibition. They are both part of Bill’s Golden Doors to Infinity series, where doors are repurposed as "entryways" into landmark historical and cultural events. Five years ago, Bill traveled The Normandy Door to Normandy Beach for the 70th anniversary of D-Day. So inspired, he is now doing a series of doors devoted to the D-Day offensive. The story of the Omaha Beach Door (page 16) documents one of the fascinating, unique adventures that this project seems to inspire, detailing Bill’s journey from Washington to Omaha Beach on the 75th anniversary of D-Day with a large gilded door in tow. Library Trust Donations We’d like to express our heartfelt gratitude to all of you who support the Library Trust. Thank you for your continuing donations, contributions, and investment of all variety. Without your enthusiasm and engagement, none of our efforts over the years would have been possible, or meaningful. For all of us that work to enhance the beauty, history, and community on which this Club was founded, your support of the Library Trust is essential and deeply appreciated. Library Trust donations are more essential than ever. We continue working to enhance our Club through new exhibitions, artist talks, and new acquisitions, as well as expand our online collection for the edification of our members and the public and to facilitate new partnerships with institutions like the Smithsonian Institute and the Naval War College Museum. The past six months has also seen unfortunate physical damage to artworks in our collection. As noted in the last Dispatch, we have contracted the nationally renowned art conservator David Olin to conserve many of our most important portraits, including the badly damaged full-length portrait of Admiral Jocko Clark. Conservation is expensive, but essential to the future of our collection, which I believe we all agree is one of the most valuable and enriching amenities our Club offers. Our 501(c)(3) status enables members to contribute to our continuing improvement and acquisition efforts. There are several ways to donate other than through monthly Club dues and periodic contributions through those invoices. One anonymous Club member donated the funds for the Library's stellar Gannon Room renovation and upgrade, which he funded through Donor Advised Funds. Other Club members, the Hinmans (left photo) and the Weavers (right photo), made substantial bequests of their retirement accounts to the Library Trust Fund. You will see the custom framed photo-portraits honoring their contributions in the Library Reading Room; we have written about both families in earlier Dispatch articles. We are also creating an honor roll of donors that will soon be published at Collections.ArmyNavyClub.org. Donations to the Library Trust are fully tax deductible. Please contact John Altenburg (altenburgj@gtlaw.com) for more information. We greatly appreciate your generosity, especially the regular donations. Thanks!!! ◄
16 | THE DISPATCH
OUR COMMANDER IN CHIEF AS A MEMBER // HISTORY VAULT
Our Commander in Chief as a Member
By Col James A. Bracken, USMC (Ret.) Club Vice President & Historian
F
ourteen Presidents of the United States have been members of our Club. Spanning an era of American history from the late 19th century to the last decade of the 20th, the first chief executive to grace our roles was Benjamin Harrison, who served as President from 1893-1901. The most recent was Ronald Reagan. It had been our custom, since the Club's founding in 1885, to offer honorary Club memberships to those who held national office either by election or by Presidential appointment. Unfortunately, because of a modification to our Nation's Standards of Ethical Conduct that precluded such officials from holding honorary memberships in private clubs, that practice ended during the Reagan administration. In times gone by, the President might "just stop by" the Club. Harry Truman, on many of his daily walks, would often come by and wave at the doormen or greet members on their way in or out. Mrs. Eisenhower, a very resourceful woman, was known to discreetly slip into the Club to meet her friends for lunch and cards while she was First Lady. It was a practice she began before World War II when her husband was assigned to the War Department, and which she continued even after Ike retired. But as life in general, and specifically life in the nation's capital, has grown more complex, the custom of an afternoon "walk across the park from the White House" has become all but impossible with all such visits having to be coordinated with the Secret Service. Our proud list of Presidential members includes Benjamin Harrison, Grover Cleveland, William McKinley, Theodore Roosevelt, William H. Taft, Woodrow Wilson, Warren Harding, Calvin Coolidge, Herbert Hoover, Harry Truman, Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR), Dwight D. Eisenhower, Gerald R. Ford, and Ronald Reagan. Even though not all Presidents chose to accept our invitation to join the Club, those that did never seemed to regret the decision. On the three formal and festive occasions we have opened a new Clubhouse, a sitting President did us the most distinct honor of "cutting the ribbon" and addressing membership. Benjamin Harrison did so in 1893, William Howard Taft in 1912, and Ronald Reagan in 1987. All these occasions were well documented in the newspapers. FDR's most active participation in the Club began in 1913 when he was appointed Assistant Secretary of the Navy in the Wilson Administration. Offered honorary memberships at virtually all District of Columbia private clubs, he joined the Metropolitan Club, the University Club, the Chevy Chase Country Club, and our Army and Navy Club. These memberships were in addition to clubs where he already belonged (the New York Yacht Club, the Knickerbocker Club, the City Club, the Racquet and Tennis Club and the Harvard Club). Records of the day show that during his eight years of service with the Department of the Navy he usually left his office at the Old Executive Office Building to have lunch at either the Metropolitan Club or across Farragut Square at The Army and Navy Club. At the 1987 opening of our newly renovated clubhouse, President Reagan captured the essence of the Club's hospitality and camaraderie by saying, "...in the old days, I'm told, The Army and Navy Club often invited their neighbor, the President, to their parties. I've also heard that Benjamin Harrison and Grover Cleveland walked over for toddy or two. Oh, for the good old days." Don't we all sometimes look back and also pine for the "good old days." â—„ 17 | AUGUST 2019
A GOLDEN DOOR ON OMAHA BEACH A Story of Art, Fate, and Remembrance on the 75th Anniversary on D-Day By: Ari Post Director, Collections and Exhibitions, Library Trust
C
lub member, artist, and Library Trust advisor Bill Adair has worked for 10 years on The Golden Doors to Infinity, a series of art installations. Bill repurposes abandoned doors with this project as "entryways" into landmark historical events. The project's premise is simple: Bill collects abandoned doors anywhere they lie and covers them with gold, then installs them at historic public sites to be written and marked upon by visitors and passersby. The messages left on the doors overlap and fade, but they fundamentally honor shared cultural values inspired by the specific location of the installation and more broadly through the universally symbolic value of gold. The Golden Doors to Infinity Project has always fostered a close connection to American military history based on Bill's personal history of family who served in the U.S. military, as well as the inspiration he has drawn working with The Army and Navy Club’s art collection for thirty years. Beginning with the 70th anniversary of D-Day in 2014, Bill embarked on creating a series of doors memorializing D-Day, 1944. The first door in the D-Day series, The Normandy Door, is currently on view in The Eagle Grill as part of The Army and Navy Club's D-Day 75th Anniversary art exhibition. Bill took that very door to a Normandy invasion beach on June 6, 2014 (D-Day’s 70th anniversary) where visitors from all over the world left their messages on its surface to celebrate and commemorate the event, and now Club members inscribe messages. Two months ago, Bill returned to Normandy to install a second door at Omaha Beach. The story of The Omaha Door is curious, captivating, inspiring, and utterly unique—a kaleidoscope of historical allusion and unbridled spiritual fervor. Not incidentally, this describes Bill also! We believe you will enjoy this uplifting story of Bill's recent pilgrimage from Washington to Normandy, carrying a golden door on his
back. "Water gilding," gilding with real gold, is a slow, laborious process. More typically used on picture frames and architectural embellishments, gilding and burnishing the expansive surface of a door requires countless hours of meditative work. Bill can’t tell you exactly how long it took to burnish The Omaha Door, but to him it doesn’t matter. For the 75th anniversary of D-Day, those young soldiers, long lost but always remembered, deserved a properly radiant tribute. Arriving in Normandy with the gilded door, Bill had not yet worked out the complicated political choreography of moving a large art installation through the myriad security checkpoints of the D-Day anniversary celebration and onto Omaha Beach. Up and down the beaches of northern France, visitors from all over Europe and America thronged the shoreline in a grand memorial celebration. French President Emmanuel Macron was slated to speak at Omaha Beach, as well as President Trump, the American Ambassador to France, Secretary of the American Battlefield Monuments Commission Major General William M. Matz, Jr. and the American Ambassador to the United Nations. Bill's dear friend Kip Forbes had invited him to stay at his majestic Chateau de Balleroy in Normandy province. Kip had warned him that the estate would be under strict security detail, as Kip was hosting a small handful of American VIPs also in town for the occasion. Club connections gave Bill a plausible way to get the door onto Omaha Beach. Rob Dalessandro, valued member of our Library Trust Committee, is also deputy secretary of the American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) but the Commission's significant role in the 75th ceremony at Normandy was not enough to guarantee approval to install The Omaha Door. Bill's plan on the morning of June 6 was tenuous. The good offices of Club member Carole Brookins had enabled access to Utah Beach, but Bill was holding out for Omaha and La Pointe du Hoc.
18 | THE DISPATCH
Two Rangers signing the Golden door.
L AST POST // THE GOLDEN DOORS TO INFINIT Y PROJECT
Ambassador Jamie McCourt signing the Golden Door at her Residence.
Kip Forbes' Château. He arrived at breakfast that morning uncertain as to his course of action; coffee had not yet been served when a security escort entered the dining room. Bill found himself greeting Secretary of Energy Rick Perry, U.S. Ambassador to France Jamie McCourt, U.S. Ambassador to the European Union Gordon Sondland, and U.S. Deputy Representative to the United Nations Jonathan Cohen, all guests at Kip Forbes' Chateau. It was a jubilant breakfast. These were the last people Bill expected to meet that morning, but you can imagine that none of them expected to break bread with an artist attempting a sacred pilgrimage to Omaha Beach with a golden door to install. Fate was sealed. Secretary Perry insisted that Bill join his motorcade, and within the hour Bill found himself barreling down Normandy's coastal roads at alarming speeds, flanked by black SUVs, gilded door rattling happily in the trunk of his Budget rent-a-car. Parking in a secured lot with the rest of the entourage, Bill was on his own to move the door to the beach. It was a steep downhill walk along a sandy cliff pathway, and the door was large, as you can see in the photos. As he pondered his newest challenge, two army rangers walked by. "Rangers!" Bill called. "Yessir," they replied. Bill explained his challenge; without hesitation the rangers agreed to help. They hoisted the door under their arms and marched down the cliff to the crowded beach, hollering "Rangers Lead The Way!" They dug a narrow trench and planted the door firmly in the sand. Offering a pen, Bill thanked them and asked them to sign the door. They signed it, and so did many others. Within an hour the door was overflowing with inscriptions—the names of lost soldiers, reminiscences, and remembrances. It was signed by veterans both young and old, active duty soldiers from across the world, and descendants of those who fought on the same beaches 75 years before. An American man whose father was part of the D-Day invasion arrived with his entire family. All of them inscribed the door, celebrating the
life of this father, grandfather, and warrior. The man inscribed his father’s name, unit, and rank, as well as the names of friends his father lost that day. An American Congressman wrote, America: "the only country that sends their boys to die for other peoples' freedoms." "It was a spectacle," says Bill. People milling about in all directions, many collecting sand in jars as if it were holy water. "The sacred sands of Omaha Beach." Historic airplanes roared overhead. A Navy ship stationed itself offshore. It felt almost like an invasion in itself. President Macron spoke and awarded the Medal of Honor to a surviving veteran of the invasion, followed by a 21-gun salute. Macron spoke about the American graveyards at Normandy. To this day, he said, each grave is adopted by a French citizen, who tends it and blankets it with roses. The citizens of Normandy continue to honor the American soldiers who gave their lives for freedom. A monumental sculpture by Donald Harcourt De Lue overlooks the beach. A soaring youth with an upstretched arm, it watches over the graveyards in the center of the Normandy Memorial at the Normandy American Cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer. The sculpture is titled The Spirit of American Youth Rising from the Waves. It was this image, of art as memorial, that imprinted itself on Bill as he left the beach that day. Three young British men helped carry the door back up the cliff, including a 25-year-old whose grandfather had died on Omaha Beach. The Omaha Door remains in France. Bill moved it to the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, and then to Versailles in early July where the U.S. Ambassador to France signed the door the weekend before July 4. It remained at the U.S. embassy through our Independence Day as well as Bastille Day, July 14, for visitors to sign. Bill next takes the door to Berlin for an installation at the Brandenburg Gate. Upon its return to the U.S., the door’s first exhibit will be here at The Army and Navy Club. ◄
19 | AUGUST 2019
THE DISPATCH The Army and Navy Club 901 Seventeenth Street, NW Washington, DC 20006-2503
Dinner and a Show at the Kennedy Center: Aladdin
Friday, August 23, 2019 Dinner at the Club at 5:30 pm | Showtime: 7:30 pm $145 per adult | $118 per child ages 12 & under (Price includes prix fixe dinner at the Club and ticket to the show) Due to the nature of the event, cancellations and refunds will not be allowed after August 16th. Discover a whole new world at Disney’s Aladdin, the hit Broadway musical! From the producer of The Lion King comes the timeless story of Aladdin, a thrilling new production filled with unforgettable beauty, magic, comedy, and breathtaking spectacle. Dinner at the Club will include a delicious 3-course, prix fixe menu. Beverages are not included. Members will be responsible for their own transportation to and from the Kennedy Center. For reservations, please contact Elizabeth Newcomer at 202-355-0505 or enewcomer@armynavyclub.org.