HONOR VETERANS this Veterans Day Join the MAC and St. Louis Rotary Club for the annual Veterans Day commemoration. At this year's event and honor all those who have served our country, especially those who gave the ultimate sacrifice. VETERAN OF THE YEAR, MAJOR GENERAL CASSIE STROM Major General (Ret) Cassie Strom, U.S. Air Force, has continued to volunteer her time and efforts in the veteran community since her retirement. This includes legal help for veterans, with a focus on women veteran issues based on her experience as a JAG. She has stayed actively involved in connecting veterans to each other, ensuring veterans are aware of the benefits and resources available to them, and educating the local citizenry of the contributions veterans have made in our community. Responsibility to give back to our communities has been her mantra through both her military and civilian careers. VETERAN OF ACHIEVEMENT, MATTHEW WILSON After graduation from Kirkwood High School, Matthew Wilson enlisted into the United States Marine Corp. He did a six-year tour finishing with reserve duty, starting as a radio and wireman and transferring to tactical air control. He also acquired the rank of Sergeant or an E4. In 2014, he developed the Lifewaters group, a non-for-profit 50(c)3 diving group designed to help veterans and first responders that have become disabled. This program works by helping the amputees go pain-free after diving, helping them realize they are capable of functioning in society without feeling inhibited by their injury. They create new friendships with others experiencing the same issues. Over the past years, merged with another 501(c)3 called Handicapable Fishing. He has been a Member of the Missouri Athletic Club for over 35 years, and the St. Louis Rotary Club 11 for 28 years.
LIFETIME DEDICATION AWARD, DUSTIN ROW Dustin Row is a dad, event producer, musician and combat veteran. He fought in Iraq in 2004, escorting fuel convoys all over central and western Iraq. His unit was involved in the worst attack on a supply convoy that either war had seen until this day. They lost two soldiers, one was taken POW and many more wounded. Five American civilian truck drivers also lost their lives. Upon returning home, he was blessed with an amazing family, a great job and a new house. Many of his fellow soldiers did not have the same to return home to. After losing a battle buddy to suicide, he started helping combat veterans. In 2013, he started the non-forprofit Songs4Soldiers. Annually, they hold a two-day music festival in Columbia, IL, featuring national touring artists. All of the proceeds go to helping combat veterans directly. To date, the organization has spent more than $700,000 on 600 combat veterans and their families. KEYNOTE SPEAKER AND GUEST OF HONOR, VICE ADMIRAL DEE L. MEWBOURNE, DEPUTY COMMANDER, UNITED STATES TRANSPORTATION COMMAND
THURSDAY, NOV. 11 11:15 a.m. – Reception and military exhibits 12 p.m. – Lunch and program Downtown Clubhouse $29.50 per person Register online or call 314-539-4470.
“The Missouri Athletic Club and the Rotary Club of St. Louis sponsor the Veterans Day Commemoration and awards luncheon. The POW/MIA ceremony and the stirring speeches from key military leaders provide a solemn and emotional backdrop honoring and thanking our veteran community for their service and sacrifice. For me, it is a day to remember past missions, exploits, and comrades as we went about the nation’s business because the veterans’ courage, selfless service, patriotism and commitment serve as a rallying cry for future generations and inspires us to renew our patriotic spirit. It is a day when I rededicate myself to assisting the veteran community because we, as senior leaders, never really stop serving.” — MAC Governor Tracy Beckette Brigadier General (R), AUS Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army (CASA), Missouri (East) 10 F CHERRY DIAMOND
