May Chamber Luncheon

Description

** LOCATION CHANGE ** 
Please note that this luncheon, and all upcoming luncheons until further notice, will take place in the Venue at Madison Avenue Central Park.

PROGRAM: Join us on Wednesday, May 20 for a special Derby Chamber Luncheon featuring Derby Graduate and retired (Med) U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sergeant Jonah Packard.

Staff Sgt. Packard served on the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit as a part of the evacuation of Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul for the duration of the Afghanistan evacuation in 2021, including the day of the ISIS-K suicide bombing at Abbey Gate on August 26, 2021. He is also among the Marines seen in the widely recognized photograph at the airport fence, an image that captured the urgency, emotion, and human side of those final days.

During this special luncheon, Staff Sgt. Packard will share a firsthand account of what took place in the days leading up to the bombing, what occurred on that tragic day, and how the loss of his friend, Marine Sgt. Nicole Gee affected him and so many others. Sgt. Gee, who is remembered in the well-known photograph of a Marine holding an Afghan infant, was one of the 13 U.S. service members killed in the Abbey Gate attack.

This will be a powerful and moving program offering personal insight into service, sacrifice, loss, and resilience during one of the most difficult moments of the Afghanistan evacuation.

Advanced RSVP required by May 19 at Noon. 

** Cancellation / No Show Policy **
Cancellations must be made at least 24 hours in advance to receive a refund or credit. Late cancellations and no-shows will be charged the $17 lunch fee as a lunch has already been ordered.