Naval Order of the United States New York Commandery

Date:  Monday, October 1, 2012
Time:  Reception at 1130; Luncheon at 1200
Attire:  Jacket/Tie or Military Equivalent
Location:  Racquet & Tennis Club, 370 Park Avenue (at 52nd Street) New York City

The afternoon of Monday, October 1, 2012, will be memorable for the Naval Order of the United States community. Come to the Racquet & Tennis Club to recognize the sacrifice of those lost in the wars abroad and learn more about the new book Tom Brokaw is calling a “must read for all Americans.” The book was recently selected to be on the CNO's reading list for 2013.

LCDR Joshua W. Welle, Class President USNA 2002, and co-editor/contributor to the new book and will provide perspectives of ten years at war. He is on a national book tour and will explain how the Navy and Marine Corps responded after 9/11 and explain leadership concepts of service transferable to both civilians and military members. 

$65 Ticket Includes:
-Half-hour cocktail reception
-Hot lunch (chicken, sliced beef, salmon) salad, dinner roll, coffee, dessert
-No profit to the Naval Order, all costs for venue and service.

About the Book:  Their stories needed to be told. And classmates working together, under a blanket of trust and friendship, was the only way to allow people to open up. It was a three year journey into the hearts and souls of America's youngest heroes to gather these important historical accounts, but it was worth every hour spent. Inside this book are the voices the first Annapolis graduates into a decade of war and they remind us that America is in good hands.  The Shadow of Greatness addresses issues that go beyond one USNA class, it explains the trials of most military veterans of this era. Understanding how a young person enlists to serve, deploys to the fight, and returns home is unknown to most Americans. Veterans pack up their uniforms, but never lose the call for service when the return to civilian society. The profiles in this book represent the “Next Great Generation” of American leaders. Men and women who lost their innocence in battle and their youths to a decade of deployments, throughout which they never gave up hope. In exchange for down range scars, they gained an unbreakable sense of purpose to America's ideals—freedom, equality, and democracy.

LCDR Joshua W. Welle:  Josh is an active-duty surface warfare officer. He served as a United Nations Military Observer in Liberia and was the Deputy Chief for the NATO International Security Assistance Force Civilian-Military Cell in Regional Command South, Afghanistan. He holds a master’s degree from the University of Maryland in Government and Politics and an MBA from the Robert H. Smith School of Business. He completed graduate education at St Antony’s College, Oxford University and was a military fellow at the Center for a New American Security (CNAS). He is also a term member with the Council on Foreign Relations.

Questions? Call or email Bill Schmidt, 
Commander . (201) 370-6344, schmidt.usna@verizon.net

Early registration has closed. Please send an email to Roy DeFranco at rdefranco@yahoo.com to reserve and pay at door.

Other information: All guests must RSVP prior to the event (no walk-ins). Attendance is encouraged by guests with a connection to the sea services and  those who share our mission to preserve the history and traditions of USN, USMC, USCG and US Merchant Marine. Veterans of all services are encouraged to attend.