The Wallkill East Rotary Club hosted more than 60 guests at a recent Region 5 meeting at Destefano's Olde Erie in Middletown. Guests included volunteer community leaders from across Rotary District 7210, Region 5, representing Port Jervis, Monticello, Liberty, Livingston Manor, Minisink Valley and Wallkill East. Special guests included Suffern resident Larry Palant, District Governor and Walden resident Peter Sullivan, District Governor Elect.
The night’s guest speaker was Author and Military Veteran Alan Mack on Wednesday evening. Host and moderator, Wallkill East President Kelly Bassett Buono, led a dynamic discussion with Mack.
The Wallkill East Rotary Club hosted more than 60 guests at recent Region 5 meeting at Destefano's Olde Erie in Middletown. Guests included volunteer community leaders from across Rotary District 7210, Region 5, representing Port Jervis, Monticello, Liberty, Livingston Manor, Minisink Valley and Wallkill East. Special guests included Suffern resident Larry Palant, District Governor and Walden resident Peter Sullivan, District Governor Elect.
The night’s guest speaker was Author and Military Veteran Alan Mack on Wednesday evening.Host and moderator Kelly Bassett Buono led a dynamic discussion with Mack.
"You bring new meaning to our motto: Service Above Self," said Buono, referencing Mack's near 36-year career in the Army. Today the veteran serves the residents of Orange County as Deputy Commissioner of Emergency Management.
Mack recently published a book, Razor 03: A Night Stalker's Wars. The book details never before told stories of "combat from the cockpit" as a US Special Operations aviator. He highlights missions including the hunt for Osama bin-Laden at Tora Bora, being shot down during Operation Anaconda, chasing Bowe Bergdahl, rescuing hostages in Iraq and the Lone Survivor from the Kunar Valley. He also openly shares a different kind of war he experienced: the devastating and tragic impact of his wife's opioid and alcohol addiction and succumbing to death.
Finishing his military career at West Point Military Academy, Mack shares his thoughts on overcoming challenges, the importance of a good attitude, and the redemption that led to enjoying life in the Hudson Valley.
