Air Force honorees to attend AETC Symposium Ball

  • Published
  • By Capt. Rose Richeson
  • Air Education and Training Command Public Affairs
RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFNS) --  The 2010 Air Education and Training Command Symposium will honor five special Airmen at a formal ball Jan. 15 in San Antonio.

"The remaining five Air Force Medal of Honor recipients who were honored for valor during the Vietnam War will be recognized for their heroic actions and the sacrifices they made to ensure our freedom," said Lt. Col. Andrew Huisentruit, the AETC Symposium action officer.

Retired Cols. Bernard Fisher, Joe Jackson, Jim Fleming, Leo Thorsness and Bud Day will sit among AETC Airmen entertained by a drill team and musical string performances throughout the night. Gen. Norton Schwartz, the Air Force chief of staff, will provide the keynote speech complementing the rare occasion in which all five members are gathered together.

They symposium will highlight technological advancements in the Air Force training through two days of seminars and a technology exposition by the nation's leading military members and defense contractors.

The John Jay High School Air Force National Champion Armed Drill Team from San Antonio will perform once again due to their extended standing ovations at the previous year's symposium events.  The varsity drill team took top individual and team honors at the annual Texas State Drill Competition. The Strolling Strings element of the Air Force Band will perform during the symposium.

Retired Gen. Lloyd W. "Fig" Newton, former AETC commander, returns to the convention center for his second consecutive year as emcee of the symposium and ball.

"This event will give our servicemembers an opportunity to learn more about our military training heritage and pay tribute to the people who have served before us," said James Sturch, the AETC Symposium event director.

To register for the 2010 AETC Symposium and Ball, visit http://www.aetcsymposium.com.