Washington D.C. was a buzz October 8-10th, with the 2007 AUSA Annual Meeting and Exposition. The Leonidas Polk Chapter was in attendance starting on Sunday with the 23rd Annual Army Ten-Miler.......
On Thursday, Feb. 15 at Celebrations in Leesville. About 97 NCO students from Fort Polk, as well as several community leaders, were in attendance. The guest speaker was retired Air Force Lt. Col. Barry Bridger.......
On Thursday, Feb. 15 at Celebrations in Leesville. About 97 NCO students from Fort Polk, as well as several community leaders, were in attendance.
The guest speaker was retired Air Force Lt. Col. Barry Bridger. He gave an educational and inspirational presentation about his experiences as a POW for six years at the infamous Vietnam “Hanoi Hilton” prison camp. A native of Bladenboro, N.C., Bridger began his military career in 1963. He was assigned to the 43rd Tactical Fighter Squadron at Macdill Air Force Base, Fla., where he performed duties flying The F-4 Phantom.
On Jan. 23, 1967, Bridger was shot down over the city of Son Tay, North Vietnam by a surface-to-air missile. He was captured by the North Vietnamese and held as a POW for six years.
Bridger played video footage demonstrating the everyday life of a POW at Hanoi Hilton. He also gave a Power Point presentation on the torture, the intense physical, psychological and emotional experiences that any POW in any war might face. He explained the extreme hardships of isolation, torture and physical pain POWs in Vietnam went through and how they were able to endure.
Bridger spoke to the NCO students specifically about how important integrity, leadership, professional training and pride are to one's survival under such conditions. “American virtue and values are passed through the generations from our forefathers. When we had nothing else, we were left with only that which is most pure: the caring for each other.” Bridger said.
He said that the leaders of today's military face new and unique challenges in the Global War on Terrorism. “Global terrorism is a hidden enemy that attacks the innocent. We're asking you to find and destroy that which can not be seen.” Bridger imparted.
After retirement from the Air Force, Bridger became an agent with First Command Financial Planning. He now serves as First Command's Ambassador-at-Large.
The organization honored several corporate members for their 10 years of continuous membership: Sabine State Bank, Byrd Regional Hospital and Geico-Jennifer Stevens.
“We recognize our members and corporate members. this is our way of getting everyone together to do something special.” said Teresa Ikenouye, president of the Leonidas Polk AUSA chapter. AUSA, founded in 1950, is an organization which seeks to help soldiers and their families. Their national membership is about 105,000. The organization has a strong voice in Congress to benefit those who are retired or active military.
The Leonidas Polk Chapter has 929 individual members and about 70 corporate members. Organizational representatives say that new members are always welcome.
For more information, call Theresa Ikenouye at 337-238-2403.
On Thursday, Feb. 15 at Celebrations in Leesville. About 97 NCO students from Fort Polk, as well as several community leaders, were in attendance.