The Alabama Society of Daughters of The American Revolution State Regent Connie Grund, and the 2013 ASDAR Conference Committee are excited to meet in Auburn, Alabama, March 12-14, to celebrate “ASDAR Angels in Action, Guardians of Historic Preservation, Education and Patriotism.” The conference will offer numerous events and will honor special award recipients who serve as models of patriotism and valor. Dr Andrew Westmoreland, President of Samford University, will deliver the Opening Night message. NSDAR National Executive Officer Jean W Vaughan, will be honored for her service to the DAR at the Opening Night Reception. Lieutenant General Richard P. Formica is the guest speaker for the National Defense luncheon during the 115th Annual Alabama State Conference. The highly respected and distinguished Ed Buckbee will be presented with the Medal of Honor for his exemplary work in the United States Space program during the ASDAR National Defense luncheon.
The Alabama Society Daughters of The American Revolution National Defense Committee works in support of the Constitution of the United States of America, the patriotic values of our country, and in support of the military men and women who serve our nation. The National Defense Luncheon is a highlight of the Alabama State Conference.
Lieutenant General Richard P. Formica, of Huntsville, is the Commanding General of the
U. S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command/ Army Forces Strategic Command and Joint Functional Component Command-Integrated Missile Defense. He has served in leadership roles around the globe including Afghanistan, Iraq, Germany, Texas, West Point, Georgia, and in Washington, DC at The Pentagon during 9/11. His additional assignments include the Department of the Army Headquarters staff as special assistant to the chief of staff of the Army where he worked HQDA Air and Missile Defense Task Force.
Nominated by the ASDAR Stephens Chapter, Medal of Honor recipient Mr. Ed Buckbee, is an author, lecturer, and has been associated with the U.S. space program for five decades. Buckbee began his career in 1959 when America’s first Mercury astronauts were selected. He was present at the launches of Alan Shepard and John Glenn, and was present when the Apollo astronauts lifted-off for the moon landings. He is a senior advisor to NASA. He was commissioned as an U.S. Army officer in 1958. Buckbee served at the Army Missile Command, Redstone Arsenal, AL and U. S. Special Forces, Ft. Bragg, NC. In 1961 he transferred to the newly formed NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center where he worked for rocket scientist Wernher von Braun.
In 1970, he was selected by Von Braun to be the first director of the Alabama Space & Rocket Center. Buckbee developed and managed the world’s largest space and rocket exhibition, and was founder of the U.S. Space Camp and Aviation Challenge programs. Retiring from the Space and Rocket Center in l994, Buckbee has produced and hosted numerous space anniversary events, acknowledging famous firsts in human space flight. He served as technical advisor to the movie “Space Camp.” He is past president of the NASA Alumni, recipient of the NASA Distinguished Public Service Medal, and the Jimmy Doolittle Award. Under Buckbee’s leadership, the U.S. Space & Rocket Center and U.S. Space Camp programs served more than 500,000 students and teachers from seventy countries. The ASDAR is humbled to recognize such champions who spread the message of patriotism, promote an interest in American history and support educational endeavors for America’s children.
By: Ali Elizabeth Turner
