SAV2020 Update
Dear Fellow Rotarians,
As we have all experienced, COVID19 has created more unplanned challenges and roadblocks in 2020 than we could have imagined. We have witnessed the grave suffering of loved ones while trying to navigate through the stormy economy. Luckily, we the American People have proven through our resolve to be people of resilience and it is only a matter of time before we win the battle and conquer this pandemic.
The commitment of the Rotary Club of Dallas and the Salute to America’s Veterans committee to support the brave men and women who defend our country has not faltered. However, given the COVID19 challenges, we believe that we must responsibly alter our approach. With the current health and economic impact affecting our veterans, we do not want nor wish to take any additional risks. Therefore, we have elected to downsize the SAV2020 event accordingly. Likewise, given the economic impact sustained by most of our sponsors, we have decided to suspend our fundraising efforts for 2020.
We will celebrate Veterans Day on November 11th, from 11:45 am– 1:15 pm at a location yet to be determined and will be in accordance with the meeting format at the time and the guidelines set by the CDC.
We are pleased to announce that Michael Elliott will serve as our keynote speaker.
Michael L. Elliott is a native of Linden NC. He entered active duty in August 1987, attending Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training as an Airborne Infantryman. Mike has two combat tours in the Persian Gulf War.
Mike Elliott’s past assignments include the 1st Battalion, 13thInfantry, Baumholder, Germany, Headquarters, and Headquarters Company, 101st Airborne Division, Fort Campbell, Kentucky; 82nd Airborne Division Company B, 2d Battalion, 504th Airborne Infantry, Fort Bragg, North Carolina; Company D and headquarters Company, 1stBattalion, 507 Airborne Infantry, Fort Benning, Georgia, Company C, 2d Battalion, 325th Parachute Infantry Regiment Fort Bragg, North Carolina and culminating his service to the nation with over ten consecutive years of service with the US Army Parachute Team, ("Golden Knights"), Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
Mike has completed more than 15,000 freefall parachute jumps 5000 of which are tandem jumps. On three separate occasions, he has held the life of one of the most important men in the US in his hands, former President George H. W. Bush has completed three tandem skydives with Mike.
Additionally, Mike has earned every instructional and technical rating available in the skydiving community, as well as an Associates Degree in Business Administration.
Mike is also the President and Founder of The All Veteran Group with the mission to Honor, Remember and Serve and serves as an advisor for the Airpower Foundation! Mike also is the founder of Combat Injured Troops!
On a high note, we are proud to have presented checks on behalf of the Rotary Club of Dallas in the amount of $22,500 each to the USO DFW and the George W. Bush Institute – Military Service Initiative from our most recent fundraising efforts SAV2019.
We are extremely proud and honored to continue our work with these two wonderful organizations and we look forward to the good we can accomplish together in the coming years.
Yours in Service,
SAV2020 Leadership Committee,
David Cross
Chris Colgin
Charles Ashcraft
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