This year on Memorial Day, I received an invitation from the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington DC – those who put up the WALL: with all the names of our heroes who died and were Missing in Action in Vietnam. From my memories, as a young person, one who had received a contract from the US Military which had lasted for more than 20 years. Personally, I always support the Military and Veterans; I donate to a variety of different Veterans Organizations, and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial is one of them. My belief: is that we can sleep peacefully because our heroes are watching over us and guarding us - from our enemies. I salute the military family members because they all make many sacrifices.  

So, when I received the invitation; I invited my good friend, the lovely Janette Doria, and decided to attend this great event to honor our heroes and to show our support. Of course, we stayed at our favorite hotel: The Intercontinental Hotel by the Wharf which is walking distance near the restaurant called the Oyster Bar. We ate there and had a wonderful platter of different seafoods. How tasty is seafood without a good margarita? It adds that extra salty sweet touch... We each only had one drink - which had us floating already, so one margarita was good enough. The following morning, we woke up early and ate an early breakfast - the event was at 1:00 pm. We decided to leave the hotel at 11:00 a.m. thinking that we were getting there early...thought there would be no people, but when we got there the place, is almost full, and the rain was on and off. 

There were a lot of attendees who came from all over the world. Despite the rain - droves of people came showing their support and this became a very solemn afternoon. People all show respect by taking in the rain and listening to the speakers. 

This time, we met the keynote speaker Mr. Frederick W. Smith, who is the founder of FedEx Corporation and Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors. He had done two tours in Vietnam as a platoon leader - so he really deserved to be here.  Two nights prior I was watching the History Channel, and the topic was: HOW THE MEGA COMPANIES MADE AMERICA (an aside: I love history, that is why I watch the history channel when I have some extra time). One story was about the Overnight Mail Service and of course, one of the companies that they spoke about was FEDERAL EXPRESS and how Mr. Smith had built it with his talent, perseverance and hard work making Federal Express successful to this day. He always tells people that whatever he learns from the US Marines as a leader he had applied it in his company. 

Then the event was about to start, the President of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial: Mr. Jim Knotts opening the program as the Master of Ceremony (a very nice-looking man), where everyone bowed their head for the invocation, and then the parade of colors. The retiring of colors presented by Jeff Reinbold, Superintendent of the National Mall and Parks followed by the speaker LCDR Michael Petersen, Who is very interesting and funny. (who was wearing his white navy officer uniform which I like a lot). He began his military career as an enlisted man to become a full Navy Officer. (I love the white Navy Officer Uniforms). It reminds me of when I was around the Navy officers and had my contract with the US Military, especially when they wore their uniforms at special occasions of which I was proud to be part of. Anyway.the LCDR told us his story about all the work and sacrifices made and was so proud to be a part of our US Military. Many members of my family were also in the US MILITARY. That is why I am a supporter and know how hard they work, all the sacrifices families made during deployment. A lot of crazy things happen also when on deployment. OH, went off on a tanget...with memories of working with the Navy, seeing them working so very hard to prepare ships for deployments and those days they had to stay awake only allowed to sleep when finished loading everything the ship needed. Let’s get back to the program. 

LCDR Peterson was followed by Major General Donna Barbisch USA Ret. She represented the VIETNAM WOMEN'S MEMORIAL – who is a very lovely lady, who started her career in Vietnam as an army student nurse. She saw a lot of hardship but hung in there. She was followed by our keynote Speaker Mr. Frederick Smith, the Founder and Chairman of Federal Express. He is a kind and friendly person, both Janette and I truly enjoyed meeting him, taking pictures with him. We looked funny in those photos because it rained off and on and we were trying hard to smile for the camera (our hairs with our hats (it is supposed to be 80 degrees that is why we wore the beautiful hats but the weather did not cooperate), and umbrella are trying to fly away like the umbrella of Mary Poppins in the movie Mary Poppins).  This delighted us, so amusing...How about that?
 We enjoyed it.  

It was such a great experience to meet these great heroes and their families. Please support our Military, we have our freedoms because they are there to protect and guard us. And do also extend helping hands to their families especially the young wives they all need our help. Try to pick which Veterans you want to support and if you can't support them all you can always pick one or two. You can start with the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Wounded Soldiers, Blinded Soldiers, Disabled Veterans, USO and many others. I would like to start a Foundation that will help the Military housewives if any of you will be interested to help just let me know you will have all my contacts below. Many of these young wives and husbands, especially new ones, need our help when their partners go on deployment or when home not making enough earnings. This is why I want to start a Foundation to help them in every way that we can. Okay all, until next time...  

We plan to put on our Award night and Fashion Shows by either September or October so please make sure to get in touch with us a few months before these event so we can send you, our invitations. As you know we put on very elegant events with Royals, Celebrities, Diplomats and guests from Fortune 500 companies, and of course our beautiful models.  

This is Gloria Cressler... signing off. We shall see you at our next event! 

Gloria Cressler, President/Founder of Elite Professional Group  

International Editor, Black Tie International Magazine  

Board of Advisor, Greater NY Philippine American Chamber of Commerce  

Global Ambassador, Power Team International of Bill Walsh (President & Founder) 

Members:  

United Nations Foundation & UN Association  

UN Women Association  

Impact Leadership 21 UN  

1776 CLUB (this is the day that the Americans got their independence from the British) 

Email: gloria@blacktiemagazine.com or queenglori@aol.com 
or info@EurAsianAmericanHolding.com  

Mobile phone for text: 1 646 704 7751