Nashville Rotarians welcome senior Army leaders and WWII vets

By Ms. Kim Hanson, AMC Public AffairsNovember 5, 2014

Via greets WWII Triple Nickels
1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Gen. Dennis L. Via, U.S. Army Materiel Command commanding general, greets members of the 555th Parachute Infantry Battalion known as the "Triple Nickels," the first black airborne unit during World War II, at the Nashville Rotary Club's Veteran's Day... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Via addresses Nashville Rotary
2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – The U.S. Army Materiel Command's senior leader, Gen. Dennis L. Via, kicked off a week's worth of events and recognition ceremonies in honor of Veterans Day with the eighth largest Rotary Club in the world, Nov. 3. Via, AMC's commanding general, addre... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Via meets with WWII Veterans
3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The U.S. Army Materiel Command's senior leader kicked off a week's worth of events and recognition ceremonies in honor of Veterans Day with the eighth largest Rotary Club in the world, Nov. 3.

Gen. Dennis L. Via, AMC's commanding general, addressed the Rotary Club of Nashville during the organization's Veterans Day program. He spoke to the audience of nearly 300, focusing on one of the group's principal values -- trust.

"I have always believed that trust is the foundation of any successful relationship and of any successful organization," Via said. "Thankfully, in the United States Army, trust is everything we have. Trust between Soldiers, trust between Soldiers and leaders, trust between Soldiers, their Families and our Army, and trust between our Army and the American people."

Via paid special tribute to African American World War II veterans in attendance at the event, including members of the first black airborne unit in WWII known as the "Triple Nickels," and the first African Americans to train with the Marines at Montford Point.

"These veterans from World War II not only saved our country and our world, they cleared the way for others -- including me -- with their accomplishments and sheer tenacity," Via said.

The Nashville Rotary Club, which celebrated its 100th anniversary this year, also recognized its own Rotarian veterans.

"Many of our members are veterans. They gave so much, and so we're honored to host this event to give back to them," said Laquita Stribling, the organization's president. "Welcoming the Triple Nickels and General Via here is a historic event for us, and we're humbled to have them here."

Via reminded the audience of business, education, and civic leaders to keep current veterans returning from operations in Iraq and Afghanistan in mind for career opportunities.

"There's another trust -- a sacred bond with our men and women in uniform," he said. "Once they serve honorably and return home, they trust that our nation will provide them the opportunity to live part of the American dream they so honorably defended."

Via and AMC leaders will participate in several Veterans Day events around the nation, including in Huntsville, Alabama, and Martinsville, Virginia.

Related Links:

AMC's Website