5 Pointed Star–Super Reunion II

Super Reunion II – Service Academy Graduates-
Leadership * Diversity * Mentorship

Honoring Service with Service

 

Super Reunion II is more than a follow-up to the incredibly successful and historic 2010 Inaugural Super Reunion in Washington, DC.

 

Interested in Honoring Service with Service?  Super Reunion II (www.superreunion.org) is open to all. We are; however, putting out a special "CALL TO ACTION" to our diverse graduates & individuals that value diversity interested in RAISING THE NATION through service to underrepresented populations.

 

JOIN US - REGISTER NOW!

 

Super Reunion II is more inclusive and extends a special invitation to African-American, Hispanic, Asian-American, Pacific-Islander and Native American graduates from each of the 5 service academies and all graduation years. We will again honor service academy graduates who broke race and color barriers. Super Reunion II also provides professional development seminars and a jobs related career fair. Additionally, we will have a full day of teen oriented seminars and a Youth Inspiration Luncheon.

 

INVEST IN YOURSELF. INVEST IN YOUR FUTURE!

 

WHAT IS IN IT FOR YOU? We added a session about starting your own business and winning government contracts, we added a session for 200 kids to help raise their GPA and we beefed up the discussions to add more grads who our young grads like you need to know (execs at companies like Lockheed, Northrop Grumman and Disney).

 

Who might you meet and mingle with while at Super Reunion II? Keynote Speakers/Panelist include:

• General Lloyd J. Austin, III, US Army Vice Chief of Staff (USMA)
• Maj Gen Chris Cortez, Senior Executive at MICROSOFT (his son is a Naval Academy Grad)
• Maj Gen Ronald Johnson, Senior VP Referee Operations, The National Basketball Association (USMA)
• Captain Barrington Irving, Youngest Pilot to fly around the world solo
• Donna O. Johnson, Founder, Guaranteed 4.0 Learning Systems
• LTC Rodney Lewis, The White House, Office of the First Lady, Joining Forces Initiative
• Dr. Leo Mackay, Lockheed Martin, VP Ethics and Business Conduct (USNA)
• Dr. Kevin Roots, Lockheed Martin, Program Mgt Director Information Systems & Global Solutions (USAFA)
• Kia Silver Hodge, Northrop Grumman, Corp Manager Diversity Recruitment programs
• Cheri Griffin, Northrop Grumman, Corp Manager, Talent Acquisition
• Craig Griffin, Senior VP Bradley-Morris (connects military vets with jobs)
• Nate Hope, Lucas Group, Executive Senior Partner (military search firm/recruiter for private sector jobs)
• Bryan Zawikoki, Lucas Group, VP Military Transition Group
• Pillip Dana, Amazon.com, Talent Acquisition Manager
• Brian Britton, Walt Disney Company, VP Global Park Operations & Initiatives (USNA)
• Young Grad entrepreneurs Ron Steptoe (USMA), Antoine McNeal ( USAFA), Richard Lewis, RTL Networks, CEO, Cisco Small Business Partner of the Year 2011 (USAFA)
• USAA Team of Wealth Management Advisors
• Kelly Edwards, NBC-Universal, VP Strategic Initiatives & Diversity
• Eric Garvin, Northrop Grumman, Manager, Global Hawk - $13 billion high altitude reconn program (USAFA)
• Afredo Sandoval, Member, USAFA Board of Visitors (USAFA)

 

RECRUITERS RECRUITERS RECRUITERS from our Sponsors and Supporters!!!!!

Amazon Bradley Morris Carter Industrial Automation Comcast-NBC Universal Edward Jones Harvard Business School Humana Liberty Mutual

Lockheed Martin Lucas Group MICROSOFT Northrop Grumman Olive Tree Publishing Sodexo State Street T-Mobile USA

USAA Walt Disney World USAFA USMMA USNA USMA USCGA

PLUS you meet your counterparts from other services.

JOIN THE LIST OF COMMITTED PARTICIPANTS!

ONLY 3 DAYS LEFT TO SECURE THE DISCOUNTED GROUP RATE!

REGISTER TODAY

Registration Link

Steptoe Group, LLC - Mission: Small Business

9 DAYS LEFT TO VOTE. 160 VOTES STILL NEEDED!

 

Steptoe Group would appreciate your support and vote to help us qualify for a $250,000 Grant from Chase and Living Social.

 

The Steptoe Group is a Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business started in 2008 by Ronald and Lisa Steptoe, West Point Class of 1987 and a select team of partners committed to working in partnership with government agencies and private organizations to ensure access by all citizens to evidence based quality healthcare and health education services. The firm is nationally recognized and acclaimed by leading health care, academia, and the government organizations for its innovative solutions in education, training and assessment platforms. The firm’s pioneering work and focus is in systemic improvements to the quality care and support services provided to the nation’s service members, veterans, and their families impacted by war and / or service.

 

Please go to www.missionsmallbusiness.com, click “Support”, find us by entering in Business: Steptoe Group  - State: Maryland – City: Clarksville, and VOTE!

 

Thank you in advance for your help!

 

To learn more about Steptoe Group, LLC, visit www.thesteptoegroup.com

Remember & Honor

Thank you to all the men & women who made the ultimate sacrifice serving in the United States Armed Forces. We remember and honor the sacrifice you made to keep this country great.

 

GOD BLESS! THANK YOU!

BUCKFLUFFY FRIDAY - Brigadier General Lewis

“It Is the Soldier”

“It is the Soldier”
(Charles M. Province)

It is the soldier, not the minister
Who has given us freedom of religion.
It is the soldier, not the reporter
Who has given us freedom of the press.
It is the soldier, not the poet
Who has given us freedom of speech.
It is the soldier, not the campus organizer
Who has given us freedom to protest.
It is the soldier, not the lawyer
Who has given us the right to a fair trial
It is the soldier, not the politician
Who has given us the right to vote.
It is the soldier who salutes the flag,
Who serves beneath the flag,
And whose coffin is draped in the flag,
Who allows the protester to burn the flag.

Have a Blessed Veterans Day - Honor a Veteran - for they serve so you can live free.

Our Country We Strengthen - The Strength of the Nation

The AUSA (Association of the United States Army) Conference & Expo was this past week at the Washington Convention Center. The Theme: The Strength of the Nation - U.S. Army. I was there with The FireMarshall & staff as The Steptoe Group, LLC did a demonstration with Bo.ei.ng. If you have never been to AUSA, you have not seen an exposition yet. It boggles the mind. The equipment, the companies, the demo's - unbelievable. If you do business with the Government and/or Military - then you NEED to attend AND your company NEEDS to become a Sustaining Member of the AUSA. The deals are done & contacts are made by attending the AUSA events. That's where the decision makers, deal breakers & contract awarders are at. If you're not - well, good luck with that. I'm just sayin'.

The convention also afforded The FireMarshall & I the opportunity to get together with several of our classmates that were in town for the Conference or just lived in the area. It was so great to see everyone. Thank you, DebH & TedF or coordinating the event and getting us all in the same room--I know that with all of our busy schedules and families that it is like herding cats.

Here is a short video I put together from the pictures I took at the our Mini-Reunion.

Our Country We Strengthen - Class of 1987

First Ever Super, Super Reunion

Written by CPT Marcus Brooks, USMA 2007
Youngest USMA Graduate in Attendance at the Inaugural Black Service Academy Graduates Super Reunion

During 26-28 August 2010 history was made as the “First Ever” gathering of African-American Graduates from all five US military service academies got together for a Super Reunion. The focus for the Reunion was to connect diverse skilled professionals with limitless opportunities for collaborated community service; network on one of Maryland’s finest golf courses, learn how to access the many services available through the Veterans Employment Office, rekindle old relationships and expand their social and professional network. (Photo: LTC (R) Minton Francis '44 and Captain Marcus Brooks '07)

The attendees learned how to best leverage their pool of resources from Herman Bulls '78, CEO, Public Institutions, Jones Lang LaSalle (USMA ’78); William “T” Thompson, CEO, USAF Academy Associates of Graduates (USAFA ’73); Rear Admiral Michelle J. Howard, the first African-American woman to command a ship in the US Navy (USNA ’82); Eugene Campbell, Vice President, Domestic Minority Business Development, Walt Disney Parks & Resorts.

Invaluable dialog was exchanged with the Military Leadership Diversity Commission with invited panels; Commission Chairman General Lester Lyles (USAF Retired); Lt Gen John Hopper (USAF Retired): and, Brig Gen Rebecca Halstead '81 (US Army Retired). The culmination of the event was the celebration of History in honor of those who first blazed the trail – the “Most Senior Living African-American Graduates” from each of the five service academies and recognizing the “First African-American Female Graduates” from each academy. From West Point LTC(R) Minton Francis USMA Class 1944 and Pat Locke USMA Class 1980 were honored with gold medals and a thunderous standing ovation from the all those in attendance.

The West Point Admissions (represented by Major Michael Burns '00, Captain Marcus Brooks '07, Captain Maurice Hickman '06, and Captain Kirsten Rowe '06) held a 150 min breakout sessions specifically for the West Point graduates to dialog about the State of the Academy, a Minority Admissions update, Field Force opportunities and the expansion of Strategic Partnerships.

The energy was transferred to the Potomac as the graduates sailed along the Potomac during sunset while enjoying great food, a live band and a beautiful ambiance. It was an epic event, a beautiful event, treasuring the past and looking towards the future with a collective positive and opportunistic approach.

Highlights from Super Reunion

LT Tyrone Broxton, USMS, highlights the Inaugural Black Service Academy Graduates Super Reunion held August 26-28th, 2010 at the Gaylord National Resort & Conference Center with interviews of graduates from all the service academies & scenes from various events.

Just the beginning of awesome things to come.

Celebrate the History - Accept the Challenge

We kick off the Inaugural Black Service Academy Graduates Super Reunion tonight at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center. The FireMarshall and I have a hospitality suite and will be hosting our fellow comrades in arms starting this evening around 9:00pm. We hope to see all of you there!

GO ARMY!
Beat Navy & AF...
Coast Guard Academy & Merchant Marine are too intellectual to play...
but we welcome all for grins, giggles & cocktails.

At Home w/Victoria Interview - Inaugural Black Service Academy Reunion

Listen to internet radio with At Home wX Victoria on Blog Talk Radio

Would you like to learn more about the reunion? Please take a moment to tune in for about 20 min as we talk about the mission, purpose and events happening at the Inaugural Black Service Academy Super Reunion - August 26-28th at the Gaylord Resort & Convention Center, National Harbor, MD

I'm so excited about next weekend, I think I'm gonna burst.

2010 USNA Herndon Monument Climb

We are very honored to be a sponsor family to a couple of midshipmen every year. When The FireMarshall and I were Cadets at West Point, our lives and sanity were saved on numerous occasions by the sponsor family we were assigned. They were a Godsend.

Well, we don't live close enough to sponsor West Point Cadets but we are close enough to the Naval Academy and when I found out they they have a Sponsor Family Program, we signed up. We always ask for 4 kids and every year only about 1-2 of them end up coming around. That's okay - the ones that don't ever come around - ya'll sure do miss out, 'cause you know we be the "KoolAid Momma House". We know how to have a great time over here.

This past year we were assigned 4 Midshipman and only one, Mohammad Kahn, ever took us up on the offer to hang out...and he does a lot. We love it.

Mohammad was over last weekend and he invited us to come and watch the Herndon Climb. I have heard about it for years; saw it on the news; but have never seen it for real. I packed up the camera bag and trekked out to the Naval Academy.

I got there early, got a great spot and waited TWO HOURS for the thing to start...TWO HOURS for a climb that took 2 MINUTE & 5 SECONDS. Why so short this year...cause they didn't even grease the dag on thing. Why, you ask, did they forgo YEARS of tradition...cause the Superintendent was dissatisfied and concerned with the possibility of injury associated with the climb and wanted to stop the whole tradition. BAH HUMBUG to the Vice Admiral. HUMPH. Sounds a tad wimpy and whiny to me.

N.E.Way...it was fun to watch and to see the joy on all the plebes faces that they were "Plebes No More".

Congratulations USNA Class of 2013 on officially making it to the end of plebe year.

The Nation's Finest

On Friday, April 23rd, two Air Force Academy Grads (Maurice Dunn & Rashad Howard) and I were the hosts of a networking event at Bar7 in DC for all of the Black Service Academy Graduates that lived in the DMV. The purpose was to get everyone together and spread the word out about the Inaugural Black Service Academy Graduates Super Reunion that will take place August 26-28th, 2010 at the Gaylord Resort & Conference Center in National Harbor, MD.

If you are a Black Service Academy Grad in the DMV and didn't attend...DAMN!! YOU MISSED IT. It was just awesome. We had grads there from the Class of 1977 up to 2001. Airline Captains, Presidents & VP's of major corporations, Lawyers, Doctors, Business Owners and even the Pilot for the Vice President of the United States (who is an AF Academy Graduate) were in the house. What a treat to hang out with The Nation's Finest.

Check out the event...I bet you know some people in the video. It's time to get connected and/or reconnect. Register now.

If you missed this event, I hope you will NOT miss the Super Reunion. It is going to be a great time.

"Celebrate History - Accept the Challenge"

The Super Reunion will be the first ever gathering of African-American US Military Academy, US Naval Academy, US Air Force Academy, US Coast Guard Academy and US Merchant Marine Academy graduates from every class year. Our mission is to provide an engaging atmosphere where attendees share professional and personal experiences, resulting in a skilled network of diverse professionals. The Super Reunion will challenge this new resource group to explore collaborated community service. We will also pay tribute to the oldest living African-American graduates from each military service academy.

Homeless L.A. student accepted to West Point

Homeless L.A. student accepted to West Point

Posted using ShareThis

WELCOME TO THE LONG GREY LINE!!!!
“
THE CORPS! THE CORPS! THE CORPS!
The Corps, bareheaded, salute it, with eyes up, thanking our God. That we of the Corps are treading, where they of the Corps have trod. They are here in ghostly assemblage. The men of the Corps long dead. And our hearts are standing attention, while we wait for their passing tread. We sons of today, we salute you. You sons of an earlier day; We follow, close order, behind you, where you have pointed the way; The long gray line of us stretches, thro' the years of a century told And the last man feels to his marrow, the grip of your far off hold. Grip hands with us now though we see not, grip hands with us strengthen our hearts. As the long line stiffens and straightens with the thrill that your presence imparts. Grips hands tho' it be from the shadows. While we swear, as you did of yore. Or living, or dying, to honor, the Corps, and the Corps, and the Corps.
”

Honoring Our Veterans

It's Veterans Day. I give thanks and am blessed by all those who gave their lives and continue to serve so we can live in the The Land of the Free, Home of the Brave.

Hug a Veteran. Say a prayer for our fallen & those still serving...and in case you didn't know how Veterans Day came about and why it is always on November 11th....

The Origins of Veterans Day.

In Memory - 9/11 I will NEVER FORGET

(Taken from West Point Association of Graduates Website)...

In Remembrance of September 11, 2001 . . .
The West Point AOG joins all Americans pausing today in remembrance of 9-11. In particular, we remember those killed in the attacks in New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia and the responders who died attempting to save others. We also remember the graduates who have fought so tenaciously and those who have died in the Global War on Terrorism, as well as those serving in harm’s way today.

I remember this day oh so well...I was actually on my way to the Pentagon to inspect the materials that I had sent there for a health fair on the 12th. I was talking on the phone with my husband about the towers being hit and what did it really mean when all of a sudden, while sitting at a stop light, I see this huge ball of smoke and feel my car shutter as another plane hits the Pentagon (at the time, from my vantage point, we thought it was the State Department). Ron immediately tells me to turn around, and head home IMMEDIATELY. En route, get the kids from school and go to the bank and get as much money out as I could. He felt he just didn't know what the next few days would be like. Our family gathered (my crew, mom, grandma) at our house and watched CNN for days. I cried...we all cried...we prayed.

The hardest days for me afterward were calling on Washington Hospital Center where all the burn victims went and at Walter Reed. There were times when it was just to much to bear.

I will never, never forget.

...And 8 years later we are still a country at war. Is it still a "Global War on Terrorism"? Iraq and now back to Afghanistan. Please tell me that our soldiers know what they are fighting and dying for...and bring them back home safe & sound after protecting us all. Amen.

The Long Grey Line Rocks!

Fellow Members of the Long Gray Line,

I want to make sure you know that West Point was just named America’s Best College by Forbes Magazine in its 2009 College Rankings. This is great news for West Point and the entire Long Gray Line.

I encourage you to take a few moments to read the full Forbes article. You should take pride in being an Academy graduate! (YOUR DAMN SKIPPY I DO!)

Duty, Honor, Country!

Happy Memorial Day

My prayers & heartfelt thanks to all the men & women who are currently serving our country THANK YOU & GOD BLESS to those who made the ultimate sacrifice to keep this country the home of the free & the land of the brave. Be Thou At Peace.

Twas The Night Before Christmas - A Soldiers Story

'Twas The Night Before Christmas,
He Lived All Alone,
In A One Bedroom House
Made Of Plaster And Stone.
I Had Come Down The Chimney
With Presents To Give,
And To See Just Who
In This Home Did Live.
I Looked All About,
A Strange Sight I Did See,
No Tinsel, No Presents, Not Even A Tree.
No Stocking By Mantle,
Just Boots Filled With Sand,
On The Wall Hung Pictures
Of Far Distant Lands.
With Medals And Badges,
Awards Of All Kinds,
A Sober Thought Came Through My Mind.
For This House Was Different,
It Was Dark And Dreary,
I Found The Home Of A Soldier,
Once I Could See Clearly.
The Soldier Lay Sleeping,
Silent, Alone,
Curled Up On The Floor
In This One Bedroom Home.
The Face Was So Gentle,
The Room In Such Disorder,
Not How I Pictured
A United States Soldier.
Was This The Hero
Of Whom I'd Just Read?
Curled Up On A Poncho,
The Floor For A Bed?
I Realized The Families
That I Saw This Night,
Owed Their Lives To These Soldiers
Who Were Willing To Fight.
Soon Round The World,
The Children Would Play,
And Grownups Would Celebrate
A Bright Christmas Day.
They All Enjoyed Freedom
Each Month Of The Year,
Because Of The Soldiers,
Like The One Lying Here.
I Couldn't Help Wonder
How Many Lay Alone,
On A Cold Christmas Eve
In A Land Far From Home.
The Very Thought
Brought A Tear To My Eye,
I Dropped To My Knees
And Started To Cry.
The Soldier Awakened
And I Heard A Rough Voice,
"Santa Don't Cry,
This Life Is My Choice;
I Fight For Freedom,
I Don't Ask For More,
My Life Is My God,
My Country, My Corps."
The Soldier Rolled Over
And Drifted To Sleep,
I Couldn't Control It,
I Continued To Weep.
I Kept Watch For Hours,
So Silent And Still
And We Both Shivered
From The Cold Night's Chill.
I Didn't Want To Leave
On That Cold, Dark, Night,
This Guardian Of Honor
So Willing To Fight.
Then The Soldier Rolled Over,
With A Voice Soft And Pure,
Whispered, "Carry On Santa,
It's Christmas Day, All Is Secure."
One Look At My Watch,
And I Knew He Was Right.
"Merry Christmas My Friend,
And To All A Good Night."

composed by a Marine.

In A Time of War

If You Appreciate Their Service, Give Them a Sign...

The Gratitude Campaign
http://www.gratitudecampaign.org/