November 9th The Rotary Club of Dallas hosted the 18th annual Salute to America’s Veterans, benefiting the USO DFW and the George W. Bush Institute’s Military Service Initiative. Throughout our country’s history, men and women have given their lives to maintain our freedom and to preserve our liberties. The Rotary Club of Dallas holds this event to provide funds for these two organizations to aid in their work to honor the commitment to our veterans.
 
Thanks to our sponsors and members our club has raised nearly $700,000 in the past 18 years that has benefited organizations that support and aid our veterans.
 
The Keynote Speaker was Colonel Chad Foster, Garrison Commander, – U.S. Army Ft. Hood.   Colonel Foster gave a very informative and enlightening speech on the military activities and involvement in and around Killeen, TX (Ft. Hood) and the economic impact on Texas.
Also from Fort Hood, the 1st Cavalry Division Honor Guard presented the colors.
    
The USO Show Troupe performed the Military Service Hymns and opened the event with 3 patriotic songs, in addition to the National Anthem (a cappella), and closed with the Stars and Stripes.    
Jody Dean, a member of the Texas Radio Hall of Fame was the Master of Ceremonies for the 15th year, recognizing our Veterans and our active Military Men and Women.  
The event was attended by some 350 Rotarians and guests. The 146 veterans included veterans from the Happy Warriors and the Green Beret Army Special Forces. Of the 6 WWII veterans in attendance were two Dallas Club Rotarians: Lt. Col Joe Turecky, U.S. Air Force (Ret.), and Lt. Col. Linus Wright, U.S. Army (Ret.). Active military, Dallas Police and first responders joined in on the event.