Four-star General Tommy Franks will speak at Lakeside's annual gala dinner. The theme for this year's event, "Volunteerism ... Caring Hearts Change the World," represents the lives of those protecting our freedom at home and overseas, as well as the volunteers who give their time every day at Lakeside. General Franks was commissioned a second lieutenant in 1967 as a distinguished graduate of the Artillery Officer Candidate School. After an initial tour at Fort Sill, he was assigned to the ninth Infantry Division, Republic of Vietnam. In 1968, he returned to Fort Sill, where he commanded a cannon battery. Following graduation from the University of Texas, Arlington, Franks was assigned to the Second Armored Cavalry Regiment in West Germany in 1973 where he commanded first Squadron Howitzer Battery, and served as squadron operations officers. He also commanded the 84 Armored Engineer Company, and served as regimental assistant during this tour. He has also worked at the Pentagon, completed a second tour of duty in Germany and served during operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm. Franks' awards include an Honorary Doctor of Public Service degree from Shippensburg University; the Defense Distinguished Service Medal; Distinguished Service Medal; Legion of Merit; Bronze Star Medal with "V"; Purple Heart; Air Medal with "V"; Army Commendation Medal with "V"; and a number of United States and foreign-service awards. He wears the Army General Staff Identification Badge and the Aircraft Crewmember's Badge. He retired August 1, 2003. The event will be Friday, December 10 at the Rochester Riverside Convention Center. Reservations can be made by calling the Foundation office at 395-6049. General Franks follows a long list of distinguished speakers including his colleagues Generals Colin Powell and Norman Schwarzkopf, Rudy Giuliaini, Madeleine Albright, Walter Cronkite, John Major, Presidents George Bush and Gerald Ford, Jack Kemp, former first ladies Barbara Bush, Rosalynn Carter and Betty Ford, Dan and Marilyn Quayle, D. Everett Koop and Jeanne Kirkpatrick. |
