March 2016 Meeting

Invitation to March Meeting

When - Thursday March 10, 2016

Time - Noon to 2:00 pm.

Where –Amenities Room,

Embassy of Australia,

1601 Massachusetts Avenue NW.,

Washington, DC 20036

Guest speaker:    LCDR Kimberly Mitchell USN Rtd.

Topic:  LCDR Mitchell will talk about her life story, including her search for how she arrived in a Vietnamese orphanage during the war in Vietnam.

Charge - $15.00, including buffet lunch and sodas.

Alcoholic beverages- $2.00 each.

Attire: Business casual

RSVP required.  Please RSVP by noon on Wednesday March 9, 2016, to David Ward at 202-352-8550 or via e-mail to dmward1973 (at) gmail dot com

NOTE: Valid photo ID required

2016 Membership dues of $30.00 are payable at the March, meeting.  Alternatively, make your check payable to R&SL, and send it to: Dave Ward, 2308 November Lane, Reston, VA, 20191.

Parking: While there is no parking at the Embassy, paid off street parking is available behind and under the Airline Pilots Association- 17th and Mass, and, at 15th and Mass (1240 15th street). On street two hour metered parking is also available.

The next meeting will be held on Thursday April 14, 2016.

Biography :

Kimberly Mitchell is the President and Co-Founder of Easter Seals Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services, President of Consult Alliances, Inc., and Vice President of Sutherland Partnership, Inc.  As a vocal advocate for our military service members, veterans, military families and families of the fallen, Kim frequently speaks at non-profit and corporate conferences and in communities across the country.  Having been adopted by an Airman from an orphanage in Da’Nang Vietnam at the height of the Vietnam War, she is also recognized as an advocate for our Vietnam era veterans. She is the official spokesperson for the Department of Defense 50 Year Vietnam War Commemoration Committee and participates in the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund and the Vietnam Veteran Honor flight events. 

Kim served in the United States Navy for 17 years as a Surface Warfare Officer serving onboard surface ships and at shore commands.  She was hand selected by the Navy and the White House to serve as a White House Social Aide where she participated in more than six hundred events hosted by the President and First Lady. During her last 2 years on active duty she served as the Deputy Director of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Office of Warrior and Family Support.  Kim has worked with hundreds of communities and has assisted thousands of organizations, and together with Colonel David Sutherland, has created a nationwide network of support utilizing grassroots solutions to address the challenges of transition and reintegration for our service members, veterans and military families. 

Kim is the recipient of numerous personal and unit awards while serving in the Navy.   She also received recognition from the Assistant Secretary of State for her work on United Nations Policies in Iraq and United Nations Peacekeeping programs in the Middle East, and recognition from the Deputy Director, Defense Security Cooperation Agency for her work in the Middle East region in Foreign Military Sales to Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bahrain and Yemen.  

Kim holds a Bachelor’s degree from the United States Naval Academy in Ocean Engineering and a  Master’s degree from The George Washington University in Organizational Management.