The Armed Forces Celebration Luncheon was held on Tuesday, June 11 in the Von Braun Center Saturn Ballroom.

The luncheon was the signature event of Huntsville’s 2024 Armed Forces Celebration Week. The week honors the sacrifices made by the men and women of the Armed Forces, the National Guard, and the Reserves. It also recognizes the significant contributions made by the families of service members.

Elected officials, veterans, active-duty personnel, military spouses, and representatives from government and private industry were in attendance at the event.

Lieutenant General Christopher Mohan, Deputy Commanding General and Acting Commander of U.S. Army Materiel Command, delivered the keynote address.

Mohan directly addressed the current challenge that the nation faces in recruiting young people to military service.

“Young men and women across our country are simply not joining the military in the numbers that they used to,” said Mohan.

Huntsville is unique in that enlistment numbers here are “the highest they’ve been in five years,” reported Mohan.

Recruitment numbers are strong, not only in the city of Huntsville, but across the state of Alabama.

“The battalion that covers Alabama has already met its recruiting goal for the year,” stated Mohan. “They are at 103% of their assigned mission for 2024. They have enlisted over 1,300 future soldiers.”

Mohan praised the work of Army Colonel Sed Rankin, 2nd Recruiting Brigade Commander, for his exemplary work in recruitment. Rankin supervises enlistment efforts in the southeastern region of the US, which Mohan described as “the recruiting backbone of our nation.”

In spite of contemporary recruitment challenges, Mohan points toward the millions of Americans who currently volunteer for service in the nation’s Armed Forces as the reason he remains optimistic about the security of the nation.

“They are very much standing between the homeland and those who would do us harm as a nation,” said Mohan. “Today, nearly 2.2 million Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, Guardians, and Coast Guardsmen are standing watch and conducting operations–every day–that keep us safe.”

Mohan discussed missions that each of the six branches of the military are conducting across the globe in order to advance the peace and prosperity of the US.

“The guided missile carrier USS Carney just recently returned home after being deployed for more than seven months,” said Mohan. “The Carney conducted 51 engagements in six months, and that’s the most direct naval engagements with the foe since the Second World War.”

Mohan said that as long as America has men and women who are willing to volunteer to preserve the security of the nation, that the United States can meet any challenge on the world stage.

As the Armed Forces Medley played at the conclusion of the program, veterans and active-duty personnel stood up to sing as the verses of their branch were played.

Retired Sergeant James Austin, who deployed three times to Afghanistan and once to Iraq, spoke with the Huntsville Business Journal about what this luncheon meant to him.

“It’s cool to see a lot of veterans get together, especially singing the Armed Forces Medley, and everyone stands up. That brought a big smile to my face because all of us sang it for years,” said Austin.

While Austin works in the private sector these days, he said he would fully support either of his two children if they chose to enlist in the military.

After the luncheon, COL Rankin, who had been singled out for his success in recruitment, took a moment to speak with the Huntsville Business Journal about what he would say to the adults in the lives of young people who may be considering military service.

“I would tell any parent, guidance counselor, or educator to just remember ‘The Three E’s.’ Kids are either going to enroll in college, enlist in the Army, or gain employment. If young people enlist in the Army they can gain all three opportunities in one,” said Rankin.

Events will take place each day this week as the celebration of Armed Forces Week rolls on.

A Community Softball Game will be held today at Toyota Field, where Team Redstone will take on the North Alabama Rockets.

Mayors Battle and Finley, Chairman McCutcheon, Sheriff Turner, and other community leaders will comprise the North Alabama Rockets. The game, which is free to attend, is open to the public. Complimentary ballpark hot dogs will be served to the first 500 attendees.

The Grand Slam Spirit Award will be presented to the company or organization with the highest turnout at the softball game. To compete for the award, take a photo of your group at the game, post it on social media, and tag the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber.

Armed Forces Celebration Week will continue through Saturday, June 15, when a 249th US Army Birthday Celebration will take place at Redstone Gateway. The festivities will include a car show, a craft fair, food trucks, and fireworks.

Visit the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber here for a full list of events taking place during Armed Forces Celebration Week.