The Lexington Veterans Association brings veterans and community members together in fellowship
to be informed and inspired at our monthly speaker series.
to be informed and inspired at our monthly speaker series.
Serving Those Who Served
|
Looking for a previous program recording? Search here.
|
Lexington Veterans Move to Brookhaven
The Lexington Veterans Association will host its programs for the 2024-25 at Brookhaven at Lexington, 1010 Waltham Street, while Cary Memorial Library undergoes renovations. “The Lex Vets have run monthly speaker programs continuously at Cary Library since the early 1990’s, and now, thanks to the generosity of Brookhaven, our programming will continue without interruption,” said Linda Dixon, Board of Directors Chair.
A Spirit of Public Service
Throughout its 33 years in Lexington, Brookhaven has made its facilities available to numerous town organizations. “We’re part of the Lexington community, and this is our way of serving the community”, says CEO/President Jim Freehling. “We look forward to welcoming the Lexington Veterans. First, the LexVets bring a range of excellent programs that our residents can enjoy throughout the year. And second, we have quite a few veterans in residence who can take the opportunity to socialize with other veterans, and to hear lectures on military-related topics.”
Brookhaven at Lexington, 1010 Waltham Street, the new home of the Lexington Veterans Association
No Change in Schedule or Format
Programs will be held on the second Monday of each month (except for three-day weekends in October and November when the date moves to Tuesday) with coffee and conversation starting at 12:45 p.m. and the speaker at 1:15 p.m. Meetings will be hybrid, with both an in-person and a Zoom audience. Meetings are free and open to the public.
First Class Meeting Facility
Guests will meet in the Large Meeting Room, a beautifully appointed room with comfortable seating for 80 and the latest audio-visual equipment, including hearing-assisted devices. The room is located on the same level as the main entry. Ample parking is available. Those with mobility issues will be able to park closer to the building entrance.
Miyoung Yang, Center, Director of Community Living at Brookhaven, reviews meeting plans
with LexVets Board Members Jim Ramsey, left, and Linda Dixon
with LexVets Board Members Jim Ramsey, left, and Linda Dixon
Opening Programs to Celebrate Lex250
To celebrate the approaching 250th anniversary of the Battle of Lexington, LexVets will open their 2024-25 season with two programs focusing on the American Revolution. On September 9, Richard Bell, Professor of History at the University of Maryland, looked into the hearts and minds of the British people during the American war for independence. On Tuesday, October 15, Prof. Bob Allison of Suffolk University will discuss why 1774 was the pivotal year in the buildup to the American Revolution.
Attend in person, or use this Zoom link.
Board members Bruce Jackan, left, and Jim Ramsey at the Brookhaven parking area.
Join us on Tuesday, November 12, 2024
NATO at 75
Presented by Bruce Jackan, former Army Ranger with 21 years service as Army Infantry Officer
Live at Brookhaven at Lexington and via Zoom, free and open to the public.
Coffee and conversation at 12:45, program begins at 1:15 p.m.
Use This Zoom Link
Bruce Jackan
After World War II, western democracies faced three challenges to assure a peaceful future: 1) deter Soviet aggression; 2) prevent the revival of European militarism; and 3) lay the groundwork for political integration. Only a truly transatlantic security agreement would suffice. Consequently, the North Atlantic Treaty was signed on April 4, 1949.
Throughout the Cold War, NATO’s unity and readiness deterred military engagements in Western Europe. When the Berlin Wall fell in 1989, some observers questioned any further need for NATO. Events since then have shown that NATO must be prepared to confront an array of challenges from both state and non-state actors. With its 31 member countries, is NATO prepared to do so?
Russia’s attack on Ukraine united NATO in the near term, but the reality of a long slog, high price, and uncertain outcome has stressed the alliance. As NATO approaches its 75th anniversary, will it remain effective? Can it do so without the US? Should the United States change its relationship with NATO? Does NATO itself need to undergo fundamental change to respond to threats of terrorism and cyber warfare? How should NATO respond to a post-Putin Russia?
Bruce Jackan was commissioned into the US Army Infantry from the US Military Academy in 1976. During his 21-year Army career, he served in Airborne, Ranger, Special Forces and light infantry units. He served in Korea, Saudi Arabia and Panama along with several US tours before being deployed to Saudi Arabia with the 82nd Airborne Division in 1990 for Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. After retirement in 1997, Bruce earned an MBA from the Haas School of Business at the University of California Berkeley. He worked in an online real estate start-up, a non-profit research start-up, and as the executive officer for a research organization at Harvard University. He volunteers at the Bedford, MA Veterans Hospital, serves on the Lexington Veterans Executive Committee, and, as a member of the Lexington Catholic Community, has organized annual mission trips to Guaimaca, Honduras since 2016.
Bulletin BoardCheck out veteran-related programs and events of interest around Lexington. Check in with timely veteran-related news articles.
|
Speaker Series You’ll find our monthly presentations educational and inspiring. Listen to top-notch speakers on military-related subjects.
|
Community ServiceWe are an active partner with other community organizations to honor and recognize veterans and to promote community support of the military.
|
Veterans ResourcesNeed help with veterans benefits? Contact our Veterans Services Director to learn more.
|
Veterans DayA Veterans Breakfast and a traditional Veterans Day ceremony marked the 2022 Veterans Day observance.
|
LVA SurveyTell us about your military or non-military related service. Let us know how we’re doing, suggest future programs, and explore volunteering.
|
We Are Grateful
To the following organizations and companies who have been invaluable supporters.
Please click on the logo to go to their homepage.
Please click on the logo to go to their homepage.
|
|
Thanks to Dinesh Patel, MD, Sue Stering, and volunteers from the Lexington Town Celebrations Committee
for the beautiful photographs included on our website.
for the beautiful photographs included on our website.