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GARDEN GROVE, Calif. - Army Reserve Maj. Gen. Megan Tatu
participated in the “Keeping the Promise” annual symposium banquet
sponsored by the California Disabled Veteran Business Alliance on
May 13, 2013 held at the Hyatt Regency in Garden Grove, Calif.
The event's theme, “Keeping the Promise” is taken from Pres.
Lincoln's second inaugural address and serves as a salute to all
veterans and active-duty service members.
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U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Megan Tatu, left, the
commanding general of the 79th Sustainment Support Command, 311th
Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), U.S. Army Reserve, leads more
than 100 recruits in the Oath of Enlistment at the “Keeping the
Promise” annual symposium banquet sponsored by the California
Disabled Veteran Business Alliance at the Hyatt Regency in Garden
Grove, Calif., May 13, 2013. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class
Corey Beal)
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The CDVBA, and its support team, hold this event to
assist veterans in successfully transitioning to civilian
life through entrepreneurship. The banquet also serves as a
platform to honor military service and individuals who
patron on behalf of veterans.
The event hosted a
crowd of more than 500 attendees consisting of a multitude
of pro-veteran businesses, entertainers, athletes, and
private citizens. Also in attendance as honored guests were
service-members and veterans of all branches, as well as
approximately 100 recruits who swore the oath of enlistment
during the banquet.
The banquet began with the National Anthem,
an invocation, and the Pledge of Allegiance which was led by
Army Veteran and former Welterweight Champion Armando Muniz.
Welcoming remarks were served by CDVBA President Ken
Shoemake, which were followed by an introduction of Tatu.
Tatu took the stage and thanked all those who have served
and those there honoring that service with action.
“Our service-members and veterans have sacrificed to keep
our country and everything it represents safe, and free,”
said Tatu. “When I look out into the crowd, I see the faces
of those that honor and serve those men and women by
fulfilling President Lincoln's promise, ‘to care for him who
shall have borne the battle'.”
Tatu continued with
the importance of veteran assistance.
“Whether
providing a product or a service, there can never be too
many resources developed to assist our wounded warriors,”
said Tatu. “Many veterans choose to start their own
businesses after leaving the military. Resources that assist
veterans with entrepreneurship goals, including student
loans, government contracting set-asides, networking
conferences, tips and other information are priceless
commodities.”
At the conclusion of her remarks, Tatu
called upon Army Lt. Col. Don Gonneville, retired, to join
her as she swore in the legion of citizens waiting to
officially become U.S. military service-members. Gonneville,
himself a distinguished Special Forces Veteran of Viet Nam,
had served as the previous president of the CDVBA and is
recognized as one of the architects of the Disabled
Veteran's program in California.
The audience fell
silent as Tatu led the recruits in the Oath of Enlistment,
which then exploded with applause and cheers at the
concluding line of ‘so help me God.'
Tatu later said,
“For me it doesn't get any better than being afforded the
privilege of swearing-in more than 100 new recruits from all
over the state who are joining the ranks of the Army, Navy,
Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard – it's just simply a
tremendous honor.”
The banquet continued with dinner
and mingling between all the attendees. Multiple
entertainers mixed through the crowds to speak with
veterans, advocate on their behalf and show their continued
support. Just a few in attendance were Jon Voight, Tony
Shalhoub, Leslie Ann Warren, Michelle Phillips, Lorenzo
Lamas, Patrick Kilpatrick, Kurt Yager, Kelly Wu, and Jeff
Ross.
Two KISS impersonators, in full costume
including 12-inch platform shoes, also walked through
crowds. Their presence was met with confusion until it was
announced that Gene Simmons along with KISS has donated more
than a million dollars to veteran organizations over the
years. Their support to veteran-causes embodied much of the
unknown efforts by many of the well-known names present at
the banquet.
At the heart of the event beyond the
marquee names were the programs, organizations and
businesses who were there to assist veterans in their own
entrepreneurship said Tatu.
“Thanks to an increasing
number of programs like the DVBA, and organizations like the
California Disabled Veteran Business Alliance, who place a
priority on matching veterans with self-employment
opportunities and innovation, hope and help are rising,”
said Tatu. “The more businesses continue to actively support
the entrepreneurial development of our veteran population
and their families, the more these highly skilled
individuals will be able to contribute to America's
well-being, both on the battlefield and in the civilian
workforce.”
By U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Corey Beal
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2013
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