William D. French, Vice Admiral (Ret.) to Deliver Keynote Speech
The fourth annual Equest Men’s Auxiliary Golf Classic and Veteran Tribute Dinner, hosted by Honorary Chair Patrick M. Walsh, Admiral USN (Ret.) and Co-Chairs Kelly Coughlin Bennett and Andy Walsh, will honor Equest Hooves for Heroes. The program empowers veterans, first responders, and military families to take charge of their civilian transition and assume new roles as community leaders through equine activities and therapies. The program, one of the fastest-growing services at Equest, is provided free-of-charge and relies solely on donations and fundraising activities. The two-day event, sponsored by Frontier Communications, PricewaterhouseCoopers, La Quinta Inns & Suites, The Arrangement, and Ruthie’s Rolling Café, is Nov. 13-14, 2016 at Gleneagles Country Club located at 5401 West Park Boulevard, Plano, TX 75093.
The Veterans Tribute Dinner, including cocktail reception, silent auction, and dinner, will be held on Sunday, Nov. 13 at 6:30 p.m. featuring guest speaker William D. French, Vice Admiral, USN (Ret.) who serves as President and CEO of the Armed Services YMCA based in Springfield, VA and as member of the National Advisory Committee for the Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC). Tables are available for $1,000 (ten people) or individual tickets may be purchased for $100.
The Golf Classic, to be held on Monday, Nov. 14, features a helicopter drop, raffle items, gift bags, boxed lunch, long drive expert, and awards reception. Registration begins at 10:00 a.m. and shotgun start at 12:00 p.m.Tickets are $150 per individual or $600 for a group of four.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit http://equest.org/golf/or call 972-412-1099.
Watch video: https://player.vimeo.com/
Bios:
William D. French, Vice Admiral, USN (Ret.) is the President and CEO of the Armed Services YMCA based in Springfield, Va. The Armed Services YMCA exists to make military life easier for junior enlisted military personnel and their families. French retired in October 2014 as a Vice Admiral in the United States Navy after 35 years of service. He spent the majority of his career going to sea in submarines to include command of the USS SALT LAKE CITY (SSN-716), and command of a fast attack submarine squadron. A graduate of Vanderbilt University with a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Vice Admiral French was commissioned through the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps Program in May 1979. He earned a Master of Science degree from Naval Postgraduate School in 1986 and a Master of Arts from the Naval War College in 1999. French currently serves as a member of the National Advisory Committee for the Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC).
Admiral Patrick Walsh is a former United States Navyfour-star admiralwho last served as the 59th Commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet. He served as the 35th Vice Chief of Naval Operationsand as Commander of the U.S. Naval Forces Central Command,and Commander, U.S. 5th Fleet. He retired from the Navy with over 34 years of service. A few of his vast career accomplishments include leading the U.S. military’s humanitarian response to the 2011 Japanese earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear power plant crisis; fighter pilot during Operation Desert Storm; member of the Blue Angels; and White House fellow for the Office of Management and Budget. He graduated with honors from Jesuit College Preparatory in Dallas, Texas, and received both the Distinguished Graduate and Distinguished Alumnus awards. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1977 with a Bachelor of Science degree. He has been happily married to Andy Walsh for over 25 years and has two children.
As a Navy spouse for 25 years, Andy Walsh has been involved in numerous community service projects and organizations that support military families worldwide as the Navy Representative to the Armed Services YMCA and Honorary Advisor to the Pacific Fleet Command Spouse Club. She personally coordinated support for Japanese orphanages during the earthquake/tsunami relief. She collaborated on historical renovation of the Chester Nimitz home and has traveled extensively to Asian Pacific countries in support of military families while visiting The American Red Cross, Fisher House, orphanages and military hospitals. She has served as the Honorary Chairman for the Navy Marine Corp Society Ball and Auction and a Board member for the Fisher House Golf Tournament, Washington DC. Locally, she serves as the Warrior Mentorship Program Coordinator for Allies in Service. Professionally, Andy was the National Event Coordinator for American Airlines Celebrity Ski benefiting the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation; Marketing Coordinator for Atlanta Coca-Cola Bottlers; and Assistant to the Office of Public Liaison, The White House. Andy received her Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Mass Communications from Mercer University, Macon, GA. She is married to Retired Admiral Patrick M. Walsh and has two children.
Kelly Bennett brings to the table an entrepreneurial passion that combines the art of writing and public speaking with her unique ability to empower others to put their best foot forward. She holds a B.A. in Education with a concentration in English and reading from the University of Texas at Austin. Her background includes teaching (both local and international), curriculum development, training, public speaking, creative/technical writing, consulting and fundraising for non-profit organizations. She has worked directly with over 30 non-profits in the Dallas area, many of which are veteran-focused.
About Equest
Founded in 1981, Equest provides equine facilitated activities, therapies and counseling to children and adults with physical, cognitive, sensory, coping and learning disabilities and veterans with adjustment challenges. The services provided include physical and occupational therapy, equine facilitated counseling, therapeutic carriage driving, therapeutic horsemanship and competition. With the help of 45 therapy horses, 10 instructors, four therapists, two counselors, and 400 volunteers, lives are changed on a daily basis for more than 1,200 clients served annually. Equest was the first PATH International Premier Accredited Center in Texas and remains one of the largest in the country. Equest offers an engaging volunteer program that provides 40,000 hours of direct program service opportunities each year. Equest was named “2015 Non-Profit of the Year” by CNM Connect.
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