The Country Club of Columbus Celebrates their 10th Annual Veterans Day Program with Lt. Gen Caldwell

Oct. 8, 2012 - PRLog -- The Country Club of Columbus and Fort Benning are two of the oldest institutions in our area. In 1909 the CCC was established and nine years later in 1918 Camp Benning began its mission of training the finest military in the world. We, at the CCC, have honored our Veterans in special ways since the beginning. In 1920 General Charles S. Farnsworth, the Commandant at Camp Benning, along with his top Captains helped christen the CCC’s new clubhouse after the first was burned to the ground. In the 30’s Harvest Dances were held to honor Benning’s student classes. These dances were attended by Colonel George C. Marshall, Assistant Commandant of Benning at the time, who later went on to be the primary military advisor to President Roosevelt during WWII, Secretary of Defense, and Secretary of State. Our history together is rich. Some traditions never die. The CCC continues to honor it’s veterans throughout the year.  For the past nine years the CCC has held a Veterans Day Ceremony and Dinner. During this event and for several weeks prior the club honors all of its past and present veterans. The prestigious presidents’ hall becomes the CCC’s hero’s hall with pictures of about 80 men and women who have served our country. Each year the Columbus High School ROTC will post the colors, the invocation will be given, joyful toasts made, and respects are paid to our Fallen Comrades.  

The CCC is proud to have Lieutenant General William Caldwell IV, Commander, United States Army North (Fifth Army) and Senior Commander, Fort Sam Houston and Camp Bullis, honor the CCC by speaking at the 10th annual Veterans Day Program.
Lieutenant General William B. Caldwell, IV assumed command of United States Army North (Fifth Army) on 30 December 2011. He recently served as the Commander, North Atlantic Treaty Organization Training Mission-Afghanistan and Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan from November 2009 to November 2011. His responsibilities entailed the oversight of establishing a legitimate, sustainable and effective Afghan National Security Force comprised of the Afghan National Army, the Afghan Air Force, and the Afghan National Police. Prior to his deployment to Afghanistan, he served as the Commanding General for the US Army Combined Arms Center and Fort Leavenworth responsible for the training and education of the Army’s 18 schools, centers and training programs throughout the United States.

His prior deployments and assignments include serving as Deputy Chief of Staff for Strategic Effects and spokesperson for the Multi-National Force – Iraq during OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM; Commanding General of the 82nd Airborne Division, that included commanding the federal response in New Orleans during Hurricanes Katrina and Rita; Senior Military Assistant to the Deputy Secretary of Defense; Deputy Director for Operations for the United States Pacific Command; Assistant Division Commander, 25th Infantry Division; Executive Assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; Commander, 1st Brigade, 10th Mountain Division; a White House Fellow, the White House; Politico-Military Officer in Haiti during OPERATION RESTORE/UPHOLD DEMOCRACY; Brigade Operations Officer, 3rd Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division during OPERATIONS DESERT SHIELD and DESERT STORM; and Chief of Plans for the 82nd Airborne Division during OPERATION JUST CAUSE in Panama.

Lieutenant General Caldwell’s decorations include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Distinguished Service Medal (with Oak Leaf Cluster), the Defense Superior Service Medal (with two Oak Leaf Clusters), the Legion of Merit (with one Oak Leaf Cluster), the Bronze Star Medal (with two Oak Leaf Clusters), Humanitarian Service Medal (with 4 Bronze Stars), Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, Presidential Service Identification Badge, Office of the Secretary of Defense Identification Badge, Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Combat Action Badge, and Master Parachutist Badge. Other awards include: the Louisiana Cross of Merit, NATO Meritorious Service Medal (with Oak Leaf Cluster), Ghazi Mir Bacha Khan Medal-Afghanistan, European Union Police Mission-Afghanistan Medal, Polish Armed Forces Gold Medal, Afghanistan National Police Symbol of Honor Medal, several foreign parachutist awards, and the 2008 Honorary ROCK of the Year. He is also a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.

Lieutenant General Caldwell was commissioned as an Infantry Officer from the United States Military Academy at West Point in June 1976 with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering. He also earned Master’s Degrees from the United States Naval Postgraduate School and from the School for Advanced Military Studies at the United States Army Command and General Staff College. He also attended the John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, as a Senior Service College Fellow.

He and his wife, Stephanie, are both originally from Columbus, GA. They have five children.

This prestigious evening takes place on November 9th, 2012 at the Country Club Of Columbus. This year the event is hosted by George G. Boyd, Sr.  The CCC offers a special thank you to Albright’s Flower & Gift Shop, Columbus Tape & Video, Georgia Crown Distributing, and Wade Linen for making this event outstanding for every guest. As we honor our veterans and all veterans of the US Armed Forces we remind ourselves that freedom is not free. To all of you that have served, please except this heartfelt thank you from the members and staff of The Country Club of Columbus.

Visit http://www.ccofcolumbus.com for a closer look at the Country Club of Columbus or http://www.facebook.com/ccofc.