The Aurora Navy League Council 247 will hold its Tuesday, Nov. 16 dinner meeting at its new, permanent location, the private room of the Riverview Diner, IL-25 and Mill Street, Montgomery. It is a large private room and can be entered from the north door or through the restaurant. There is plenty of parking.
A reception will begin at 5 p.m. followed by a meeting at 5:30 p.m. with dinner afterward. The cost is $25 all-inclusive if an entree is ordered, or $20 for the dinner salad featured that evening. Free entry without food. The meeting will conclude by 8 p.m..
You do not need to be a member of the Navy League, or have a reservation, to attend the in-person meeting, the general public is welcome.
The after-dinner speaker is Command Sergeant Major William Lake, USA (Ret.) who will speak on The United States Army Reserve: It’s 113 years of service; It’s Benefits to the Nation, Community, and its Warriors; and, The Army Reserve Ambassador Program. His presentation will cover the following points:
• Army Reserve Warrior Citizens have been tested in the crucible of combat, earning their status as full partners in those operations; no longer a supplemental, strategic reserve force but rather an able and operational force upon whom the Nation must routinely call.
• The U.S. Army Reserve (USAR) offers more than 120 jobs that provide valuable training and experience for long-term life goals, in addition to being a well-trained Soldier.
• The Army Reserve Ambassador (ARA) Program is one of the United States Army Reserve’s (USAR) key outreach programs. ARAs are influential volunteers with significant ties to their communities who operate at state and local levels and voluntarily represent the Chief of Army Reserve without salary, wages or other benefits. They develop awareness and advocacy for the USAR and are vitally important bridges to communities across the Nation. They carry a protocol status equivalent to a major general – a key means to effectively execute their responsibilities.
Army Reserve Ambassador Lake served our Nation in the Air Force and Army Reserve for 34 years. In 1976, he enlisted into the Army Reserve and retired in March 2003 as Command Sergeant Major of the 416th ENCOM. Prior assignments as Command Sergeant Major include the 646th Area Support Group, 633rd Combat Support Group, 6015th Garrison Support Unit, 863rd Combat Heavy (ECB) Battalion, 3/501st Aviation Regiment, 138th Military Intelligence (CEWI) Battalion. Prior to his appointment as Command Sergeant Major, Mr. Lake had an assignment as the Group Maintenance Sergeant Major for the 336th Transportation Group. Mr. Lake enlisted in the Air Force in 1961 and served as a Jet Engine Mechanic and flight line crew chief until August 1968; this included numerous TDY assignments and a three-year overseas tour in Spain.
Army Reserve Ambassador Lake is retired from Kane County Government as the Deputy CIO and Chief of Staff for the Information Technologies Department, retired from the position of President of Lakes Comp-U-Ease, retired from Lucent Technologies having held a variety of supervisory positions to include Chief Financial Officer of Western Electric Montgomery Works, Mr. Lake holds an Associate degree in Business Administration from Waubonsee Community College, BA degree in Business Administration from Aurora University and a Masters of Business Administration from Illinois Benedictine University.
His military awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit and three Meritorious Service Medals. Mr. Lake was awarded the Bronze Order of the de Fleury Medal. He is a Past President and Life member of the 416th ENCOM Association [2017 Person of the Year, 416th ENCOM Association. Certificate of Recognition by the Kane County Board], Lifetime member Telephone Pioneers America, Member Army Engineer Association, Illinois Veteran’s Breakfast Club, Sandwich American Legion, and lifetime member Sandwich VFW.
He and wife, Lana, have seven children, seventeen grandchildren and two great grandsons.
They live in Sandwich, and attend Harvest Chapel Church there.
The Aurora Council is having a membership drive, and will pay half of the first year’s dues for new members. This is an excellent opportunity to attend an interesting event, and determine whether you would like to join permanently.
— Aurora Navy League Council 247