CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. –The Clarksville Area Chamber of Commerce will host the 24th Annual Veterans Day Breakfast on Saturday, November 5, 2016 at 7:30 a.m. at the Austin Peay State University Morgan University Center.
Keynote speaker at the breakfast is retired Sergeant Major of the Army Kenneth O. Preston. He now serves as Director of NCO & Soldier Programs, AUSA.
At 2:00 p.m. that afternoon, the Chamber is also hosting a Military Appreciation Day Tailgate Party at APSU’s Fortera Stadium Parking Lot prior to the 4:00 p.m. kickoff as the Governors take on Tennessee State University.
Preston served as the 13th Sergeant Major of the Army from 2004-11. He retired as the longest serving Sergeant Major of the Army with more than seven years in the position. As Sergeant Major of the Army, Preston served as the Army Chief of Staff’s personal adviser on all soldier and family related matters, particularly areas affecting soldier training and quality of life. He devoted the majority of his time in this position to traveling throughout the Army serving as a force provider for leaders at all levels of responsibility, overseeing soldier and unit training, manning and equipping challenges, and talking to soldiers and their families to understand their needs, personal hardships and challenges serving a Nation at war.
A native of Mount Savage, Maryland, Preston entered the Army on June 30, 1975. Throughout his 36-year career, he served in every enlisted leadership position from cavalry scout and tank commander to his final position as Sergeant Major of the Army. Other assignments he held as a command sergeant major were with the 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division; 3rd “Grey Wolf” Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division; 1st Armored Division in Bad Kreuznach, Germany; and V Corps in Heidelberg, Germany. His most recent assignment prior to serving as the 13th Sergeant Major of the Army was as the command sergeant major for Combined Joint Task Force 7 in Baghdad, Iraq.
The public is invited to attend the breakfast, which will include a buffet style meal and a salute to Veterans. Cost is $20 and you may register online or send your RSVP with credit card payment to Yvonne Pickering at yvonne@clarksville.tn.us by October 31, 2016. Dress is business casual.