35th annual Gathering of Eagles in Alabama awards military heroes and others

The stories of eight heroes soared in Montgomery Tuesday at the Air Command and Staff College’s Gathering of Eagles (GOE) program.

The Gathering of Eagles Foundation is a private, nonprofit organization that supports the GOE program with a mission to “Honor Heritage, Serve Community and Forge Futures.” It provides scholarships to youths in and around Alabama’s River Region to attend programs such as the Space and Aviation Camp at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, as well as the National Flight Academy in Pensacola, Florida. Additionally, these scholarships are given to Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) cadets who are pursuing a science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education. This year, 38 scholarships were awarded with the aim of inspiring future innovators and leaders in STEM fields.

Gathering of Eagles honorees Janet C. Wolfenbarger and Dan Schilling talk about being named Eagles from Alabama NewsCenter on Vimeo.

The GOE annual capstone program is organized by the graduating class of the Air War College at Maxwell Air Force Base. This weeklong series of events is an opportunity for students and the community to learn from the past while preparing to become leaders of the future.

Each year, the graduating class recognizes a group of “Eagles” who have made significant contributions to air power. The program began in 1982, with the first official GOE: “Great Moments in Aviation History.” Since then, more than 450 Eagles have been honored. Past honorees include President George H.W. Bush, Neil Armstrong, Jimmy Doolittle, Chuck Yeager and Curtis E. LeMay.

The program’s purpose is to inspire the study of aviation history by recognizing the impacts of air and space forerunners. The Eagles are invited to share their unique experiences with members of the graduating class through a blend of teaching interviews and social events.

The eight 2022 Eagles are:

• Gerald L. Berry, “Gerry,” had a vast military career prior to his retirement from the Marine Corps in 1993 at the rank of colonel. His most memorable operation, part of Operation Frequent Wind in 1975, completed the airlift of U.S. Ambassador Graham Martin out of Saigon, heralding the end of the Vietnam War.
• Janet C. Wolfenbarger is a retired general and former commander of the Air Force Materiel Command and was among the first class of women admitted to the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1976. She was the first female four-star general in the Air Force.
• Kaleth O. Wright was the 18^th chief master sergeant of the Air Force from 2017 to 2020. Often referred to as “Enlisted Jesus,” he is known for his successful advocacy for enlisted personnel.
• Niloofar Rahmani was born in Kabul, Afghanistan, and braved sexism, discrimination and death threats to become Afghan Air Force’s first female fixed-wing pilot.
• Dean Kamen is the CEO of DEKA Research and Development Corporation. He founded FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology), which works to foster a better understanding and enjoyment of science and technology for the next generation.
• Mike W. Hardy is a highly decorated retired U.S. Army pilot.
• Dan Schilling spent more than 30 years serving in the military, primarily as a combat controller and Special Tactics officer.
• Ronald W. Terry is known as “Father of the Gunship.” Col. Terry retired from active-duty service in 1983 after a 31-year career. He recently died at his home in San Antonio.

Dean Kamen recognized at the 2022 Gathering of Eagles from Alabama NewsCenter on Vimeo.

One facet of the program is a gala to celebrate the Eagles and the hard work of the graduating class.

“I’d like to thank Alabama Power and PowerSouth for hosting us very graciously this evening,” Schilling said. “We’re happy and honored to share our experiences and the contributions that the Air Force makes to the country, the state of Alabama and to Montgomery. It’s a great fusion that allows us to interact with these great leaders who are so gracious with their time and money, and to share in this bond that it is to be Americans. And from my 31 years of experience in uniform, I think these types of events are really what the military needs more of. Because sharing who we are and what we can do for you as Americans is really what we’re all about when we’re not at war.”

Leslie Sanders, vice president of Alabama Power’s Southern Division, said the Gathering of Eagles is a highlight of the year.

“The men and women who are recognized as Eagles are the very best our nation has to offer – they exemplify bravery and sacrifice and an unending sense of duty,” she said. “Alabama Power is proud to have supported this event for many years as a way to show our appreciation, but also an opportunity to encourage support for the Gathering of Eagles Foundation, which supports ROTC cadets as well as youth interested in science, technology, engineering and math.”

For more information, visit www.goefoundation.org.

(Courtesy of Alabama NewsCenter)