CAPE FEAR CHAPTER MILITARY OFFICERS ASSOCIATION of AMERICA

The Star-Spangled Banner

O say can you see, by the dawn’s early light, What so proudly we hail’d at the twilight’s last gleaming, Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight O’er the ramparts we watch’d were so gallantly streaming? And the rocket’s red glare, the bombs bursting in air, Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there, O say does that star-spangled banner yet wave O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

Pledge of Allegiance “One Powerful Voice” “I pledge allegiance to the flag of the of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.” Annual General Membership Meeting

The “Pledge of Allegiance” of the United States is an oath of loyalty to the A 50th Anniversary of the Commemorative Event national flag and the republic of the United States of America. It was originally composed by Francis Bellamy in 1892. The Pledge was modified in 1954, adding the words “under God.”

The American’s Creed

I believe in the United States of America as a government of the people, by the people, for the people, whose just powers are derived from the consent of the governed, a democracy in a republic, a sovereign Nation of many sovereign States; a perfect union, one and inseparable; established upon those principles of freedom, equality, justice, and humanity for which American patriots sacrificed their lives and fortunes. I therefore believe it is my duty to my country to love it, support its Constitution, Major General Sidney Shachnow, US Army, Retired to obey its laws, to respect its flag, and to defend it against all enemies. Keynote Speaker William Tyler Page Conference and Catering Center Written in 1917 Fort Bragg, North Carolina Accepted by the United States House of Representatives November 21, 2015 April 3, 1918

Biography Agenda Major General Sidney Shachnow, US Army, Retired

General Shachnow was born in , . He was imprisoned for three Reception years during World War II in a German concentration camp before being liberated as a Holocaust survivor by the Soviet Army. He lived in Europe until he immigrated to the Call Meeting to Order United States in 1950. Posting of Colors* General Shachnow enlisted in the Army as a Private in the Infantry and later attended Officer’s Candidate School as a Sergeant First Class. He was commissioned a National Anthem* Second Lieutenant of Infantry in 1960.

His assignments during more than 34 years of commissioned service were as a Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag* commander or staff officer with Light Infantry, Mechanized Infantry, Airmobile, Airborne, and Special Forces units. He served as a Green Beret for 32 years. His assignments Invocation* included: Commanding General, John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School, (Airborne), Fort Bragg; Commanding General, Special Forces 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War Commemoration Proclamation Command (Airborne), Fort Bragg; Commanding General, U.S. Army-Berlin among many others. Missing Man Table Ceremony

General Shachnow attended Franklin Technical Institute in , Introduction of New Members and Special Guests Massachusetts, and graduated from the University of Nebraska, where he majored in business administration. He also has earned a Master of Science degree in public administration from Shippensburg State College, Shippensburg, Pennsylvania. He has Dinner Served received an honorary doctorates degree, and is a graduate of the Harvard Senior Executive Management Program. His military education includes the US Army Command Chapter Business and General Staff College, and the US Army War College. Introduction of Keynote Speaker General Shachnow's decorations and awards include: Two Distinguished Service Medals, two Silver Stars for gallantry in ground combat, the Defense Superior Speaker’s Address Service Medal, the , three Bronze Stars for heroism in ground combat, two Purple Hearts for wounds received in two separate ground combat actions, three Presentation of Vietnam Veteran Lapel Pins Meritorious Service Medals, twelve Air Medals for meritorious achievement while in flight, three Army Commendation Medals with "V" device for valor while in ground God Bless America* combat, the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, the Expert Infantry Badge, the Master Parachutist Badge, the Ranger Tab, and the . Benediction*

General Shachnow retired after forty years of active service on 1 October 1994. He is the only Holocaust survivor to achieve general officer rank in the history of the US Retirement of Colors* military. Adjournment General Shachnow is the author of the best seller "Hope and Honor". The book was awarded the prestigious 2005 Colby Award. He currently works as a consultant and senior mentor, is a member of the Editorial Board of the “Journal of International Security Affairs” publication, and serves on several boards. *Please Stand