National military leaders to be featured at Veterans Legacy Summit

Col. Steve Parker, executive director of Joining Forces, and Maj. Gen. John G. Rossi, commanding general of Fort Sill, Okla., will participate in The Patterson Foundation’s Veterans Legacy Summit, a multi-day conference honoring the nation’s veterans and military families. Both will attend events on Saturday, Nov. 15.

Joining Forces, an initiative launched by First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden in 2011, is designed to inspire the nation to support veterans, service members and their families through greater access to employment, education and wellness resources. Col. Parker will provide the keynote address at the Veterans Legacy Summit’s Zoned In event, a series of workshops showcasing successful, creative and meaningful ways in which organizations are supporting military families and those who have served, are serving or may serve in the nation's armed forces. The event will be held Saturday, Nov. 15 from 8 a.m. to noon at Florida Studio Theatre. Col. Parker will deliver his address near the beginning of the event.

The Patterson Foundation previously partnered with Joining Forces through its participation in the Council of Foundations’ Philanthropy-Joining Forces Impact Pledge, an effort featuring more than 30 leading national philanthropies committing $170 million toward the initiative’s goals over a five-year period.

Maj. Gen. Rossi, who is attending on behalf of Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. Raymond T. Odierno, will administer the Oath of Enlistment to a group of more than 20 during Celebrate Service & Sacrifice at Patriot Plaza later that afternoon. The ceremony, held to honor service members past and present and their families, will feature a keynote address delivered by New York Times best-selling author and U.S. Army combat veteran Wes Moore and remarks from Chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts Jane Chu. A delegation of Forever Miss Americas will serve as masters of ceremony for the event, while the West Point Band will provide a spirited musical tribute to veterans of all five branches of service.

The Patterson Foundation is offering this collection of events as a gift to the community and the nation. Leaders representing multiple sectors from 25 states, Washington and Puerto Rico will be in attendance to connect and discuss issues important to service members and their loved ones

Zoned In is free to attend but registration is required. Celebrate Service & Sacrifice requires tickets, which are available at no charge at locations throughout the region. Visit www.onlineregistrationcenter.com/veteranslegacysummit to register and view a complete schedule of the summit’s events.