General Barry R. McCaffrey, GLS Chairman of the Board - Visits Dearborn, Michigan
On Monday, December 15, 2008, GEN McCaffrey (BRM) traveled to Detroit, Michigan with “Spider” Marks, GLS President and CEO to see GLS Arab-American Outreach and recruiting operations first hand.
BRM received the operations mission overview and met GLS employees at the Central Region Accessions Center (RAC). At the GLS Arab-American Outreach dinner later that same evening, he met with leaders in the Arab and Chaldean American communities.
BRM was given a one-hour tour of the Arab American National Museum (AANM) by Lama Mansour and Ron Amen. The AANM is the first museum in the world devoted to Arab American history and culture.
The Museum brings to light the shared experiences of immigrants and ethnic groups, paying tribute to the diversity of our nation. The tour included exhibits of documents and objects that help illustrate the Arab American experience. This permanent collection includes: art, three-dimensional artifacts, documents, personal papers, and photographs that were created by, owned, primarily used by, or that illustrate the Arab American experience. GLS’ own, Jamal S. Baadani, Deputy Director, Recruiting Operations was inducted into the AANM in 2007 for his contributions to the Arab American Communities as a member of the U.S. Armed Forces. GLS is honored to have a member of GLS profiled in an
Approximately 50 Arab and Chaldean American leaders from the State of Michigan were invited to a private dinner with BRM in the gallery of the Arab American National Museum.
These leaders represented city and state agencies, publishers and editors of local media outlets and heads of social and civic organizations. Key individuals who were seated at BRM’s table and who had the opportunity to chat with him were: Robert Ficano – Wayne County Executive (heads the county with largest concentration of Arab Americans in the State); Mayor John O’Reilly – Mayor of the City of Dearborn; Judge David Allen –Arab American judge with the Wayne County Circuit Court; MGen Thomas Cutler – The Adjutant General (TAG), Michigan National Guard and CPT Andre’ Bellamy – US Army Recruiting Command.
Both County Executive Ficano and Mayor O’Reilly gave brief remarks at the beginning of the program and welcomed BRM to the State of Michigan and the City of Dearborn.
Key to the City of Dearborn: During his remarks, Mayor O’Reilly presented BRM with a key to the City. This is the highest honor that the Mayor can bestow on an individual, or entity.
Picture caption:
Dearborn, Mayor John O’Reilly presents the Key to the City to General McCaffrey.