The 2022 American Veterans Center's Annual Conference will be held Nov. 3-5. Information will be updated as it becomes available.
Over the past two decades, The American Veterans Center's Annual Conference has drawn thousands of attendees, including high school, college and military academy students, along with veterans from around the country. The conference provides these attendees a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to hear history directly from those who were there. Veterans from World War II through the present day share their lessons, experiences, and combat stories that are often left out of history books to the young, future leaders of our nation.
In 2019, the conference featured:
Gen. John R. Allen
Previous commander of the NATO International Security Assistance Force and U.S. Forces – Afghanistan (USFOR-A). Currently serving as president of the Brookings Institution.
The Heroes of D-Day
Featuring the great remaining stories of the invasion of Normandy, 75 years ago.
The 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion
The only unit of all-Black women to deploy abroad during World War II. In a rare historic moment, all seven living women of the ‘Six-Triple-Eight’ will be in attendance.
Col. Edward Shames
The last living officer from the famed "Band of Brothers" – E Company, 2nd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry, 101st Airborne Division.
Col. Joe Peterburs
"Ace" pilot of 49 missions in World War II. On April 10, 1945, he shot down the famed German "ace" Walter Schuck, flying the ME-262 jet, before being shot down himself and taken prisoner. He escaped, fighting with the Soviet Red Army at the end of the war.
Lt. Col. Alexander Jefferson
Combat pilot with the legendary "Tuskegee Airmen," downed over France and held as POW in the infamous Stalag Luft III camp.
Lt. Col. James H. Harvey III
Pilot with the Tuskegee Airmen, he would go on to fly on the winning team of the first "Top Gun"-style competition, and become the first Black jet pilot to fly combat missions in Korea.
Elinor Otto
"The Last Rosie the Riveter" built planes for our troops during World War II, then returned to the factory and riveted C-17s until recently retiring at the age of 95.
Gene Kranz
Legendary NASA flight director, famed for his blonde flattop haircut and white vest, most noted for serving as flight director during Apollo 11’s landing on the lunar surface, and for his actions in saving the crew of the ill-fated Apollo 13, for which he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Brig. Gen. R. Steve Ritchie
The only Air Force "ace" pilot of the Vietnam War.
Joseph L. Galloway
Famed Vietnam war correspondent, and co-author with Lt. Gen. Hal Moore of the landmark memoir, "We Were Soldiers Once … and Young."
Peter Cuneo
U.S. Navy veteran of Vietnam, most recognized as CEO of Marvel Entertainment, leading the company’s turnaround from bankruptcy to a $4.5 billion sale to Disney in 2009.
William Allen
Professor of political philosophy and dean of the James Madison College at Michigan State University, previously a member of the National Council on the Humanities and chairman of the United States Commission on Civil Rights.
Leadership: From Military to the Private Sector
Featuring former military officers who have transitioned to successful careers in the private sector, drawing on the lessons they learned while serving.
On the Front Lines: U.S. Special Operations Forces
A rare appearance from active-duty service members of our Special Operations Forces.
And more.
Live video from the American Veterans Center Veterans Conference is streamed below.
Day 1:
Day 2:
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