The Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce hosted a Military Recognition Reception on April 15 at the Norfolk Waterside Marriott.  More than 500 members from all branches of the armed services and the business community assembled to honor 170 members of the military who were selected by their commands for their leadership and positive influence on the community.  The service members were joined by their families, elected officials from the region.

The keynote speaker at the reception was suspense novelist and U.S. Army Special Forces Colonel John Fenzel.  In his 25 years of military service, Colonel Fenzel has served as a military assistant on the personal staff of the Secretary of Defense, Special Assistant to the Vice President, and as Staff Director for the Homeland Security Council.  He also was the Principal Architect of the Homeland Security Advisory System; our nation’s color-coded alert system.

Many thanks to sponsors: City of Norfolk (Presenting); Norfolk Waterside Marriott (Hospitality); GEICO (Gold Military Program Partner); Cox Communications (Media); Bank of America, First Command and Strayer University (Silver Military Program Partners); Lockheed Martin, Regent University and Saint Leo University (Bronze Military Program Partners); Children’s Treatment Center, City of Virginia Beach, USAA and USA Discounters (Silver); and Navy Federal Credit Union (Bronze). 

The Chamber’s next Military Recognition Reception will be held August 12 at 3pm at the Norfolk Waterside Marriott.  For sponsorship opportunities, call Candace Reid, Manager, Governmental Affairs, at 757-664-2572.