News
Sen. Rand Paul makes stop in E’town
Source: The News-Enterprise
Board members and investors of the Knox Regional Development Alliance got a personal visit Monday from U.S. Sen. Rand Paul.
“I think it’s just wonderful Sen. Paul would be willing to take some time to spend some time with members of the Knox Regional Development Alliance,” said Beth Avey, vice president for operations.
Avey said Paul always has interesting facts to share. Some of the information he shared Monday during the development alliance meeting hosted at Swope Toyota in Elizabethtown revolved around the economy and military.
Paul said 137,000 people are coming up out of extreme poverty every day.
“Our country’s unemployment is about 3 percent; the economy is booming … it is a good time right now,” he said.
Paul said the country has doubled its economy eight times over the last 200 years.
“Why is our economy thriving? Why is the world economy thriving? To me, it is a very simple answer. It is allowing people to be free to trade their services or their goods with very little interruption from government and also allow them to trade them across country lines,” said Paul, a Republican.
Paul also mentioned two bills he is sponsoring. One is a bill for widows of people who died in combat. He said there has been a quirk in the payment where they get less. He said the government is trying to get that fixed.
Avey said it was good to hear the work Paul is doing to correct the situation with widow benefits.
“Anything that we can do collectively at all levels to support soldiers and families or military and their families is a win,” she said.
The second bill has to do with soldiers in Afghanistan.
“I think we have been too long in Afghanistan. I think the mission is completed. You can’t find a General who can tell you what the mission is any longer,” he said, noting it is very expensive. He said it costs about $51 billion a year to have troops deployed there.
“I have a bill to end it. To get rid of the 2001 authorization and give everybody who served over there a $2,500 bonus,” he said. “ … I think at the very least we need to debate it. We voted in 2001. I would have voted for it in 2001 but it is a long time. I think we need to reassess what the mission is there.”
Paul said he continues “to believe we shouldn’t spend money we don’t have whether it is for a good cause or bad cause.”
He said the country now is running on trillion-dollar deficits.
“Whose fault is it, Republicans or Democrats? I say, yes. It’s both parties. Both parties want to spend money for different reasons,” he said. “ … The right wants more military money and the left wants more welfare money and they both get it and everything goes up.”
“We can’t just spend money we don’t have,” Paul added.
Al March of the Fort Knox area chapter Military Officers Association said he always has been impressed with Paul’s view of economics.
“He would readily agree what we are doing as a nation wouldn’t ever work as an individual household,’’ March said. “Historically, we’ve spent more and more money than we have and it is just not supportable in the long run. It just does not make sense. From an individual point of view you can understand that. But it is just as true at the nation level.”
Paul also mentioned his new book, “The Case Against Socialism” to those in attendance.
9/11 – where I was and what it means to me
KRDA President / CEO Brig. Gen. (Ret) Jim Iacocca was asked to provide brief remarks at the beginning of monthly luncheon of the Hardin County Chamber of Commerce.
His words were tremendously moving so we wanted to share them below.
Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen,
Brian Kerr asked me to say a few words about 9 -11 – where I was and what it means to me. Like everyone in this room I know you remember exactly where you were at 8:45 that Tuesday morning. I was fortunate enough to be in an organization that would be the first to bring justice to those who harbored the terrorists.
I was in my office as the Adjutant of a special operations unit at Fort Bragg North Carolina doing the normal stuff an adjutant does in a special operations organization – focus on manning the force. I went to see my boss when the second plane struck and we knew we were about to get very focused and very busy. I remember the sense of anger and frustration as we watched this unfold but powerless – for now – to do anything about it. Unlike the day prior when all posts were open to the public, Fort Bragg immediately shut the gates and I spent the night at the office. I am glad I stayed at the office because there was an 8-hour delay to get on post the next day – most did not make it to work. The team of special operators began preparations and in October executed the longest air assault in military history and struck a compound deep in Afghanistan. The operators left police and firefighter patches from New York City all over the compound to let others know they were there.
So what does 9-11 mean to me – it is a heightened day of remembrance for those Soldiers who died in the Pentagon – many of them were my friends – if you recall when the plane hit the Pentagon it struck the very center of the Army G1 organization and as a personnel officer I knew many of them personally but all of them by reputation. It is also a day to remember the involuntary great sacrifice of all the civilians who died in the World Trade Centers and the unselfish sacrifices of the heroic first responders who rushed in to help – many sacrificing their own lives. And the heroic efforts of the passengers on flight 93 who forced their plane to crash in a field in Pennsylvania rather than allow it to strike another terrorist target. And finally this day, it is a reminder of all that is great about our nation – service, sacrifice and patriotism – that our nation can and will rise to the challenge.
Thanks for allowing me to share a few thoughts. God bless you and God Bless America.
Interested in a career as a Business Continuity Professional?
KRDA is excited to share a training opportunity that Elizabethtown Community and Technical College is hosting November 4 – 8th. The DRI seminar course, Business Continuity (BCLE 2000), is FREE to transitioning Soldiers and veterans within 5 years of separation and is ideally suited for officers and senior non-commissioned officers. This training will certify you to work for any Fortune 500 Company to prepare for, respond to and recover from a crisis. Ninety-seven percent of Fortune 100 companies will only hire someone with the Certified Business Continuity Professional (CBCP) certificate which is only offered by DRI International.
To make reservations and receive further instructions email lukeleonard87@gmail.com or alake@driif.org.
Fort Knox, ECTC Establish Advanced Manufacturing Training Program
Source: Elizabethtown Community and Technical College
Leaders from Elizabethtown Community and Technical College (ECTC) and U.S. Army Garrison Fort Knox on Tuesday celebrated a new partnership that strengthens civilian career opportunities for soldiers at Fort Knox and across the globe.
The new Advanced Manufacturing Army Career Skills Program (CSP) gives soldiers a path to train in three areas: computer aided drafting and design, electrical technology and engineering and electronics technology. Each program offers an opportunity to earn industry certificates that lead to in-demand careers. The training is available to soldiers at any duty station who have 180 or fewer days of service remaining.
ECTC and Fort Knox officials signed a memorandum of understanding Tuesday, followed by tours of ECTC advanced manufacturing training facilities.
“Serving our military members and veterans has always been a top priority for ECTC, and we look forward to helping them prepare for success in the thriving advanced manufacturing field through this new program,” said ECTC President Dr. Juston Pate. “We are very proud to partner with Fort Knox and to create a new talent pipeline for our region’s employers.”
Fort Knox leaders also touted the partnership between the post and the college.
“ECTC and Dr. Pate’s partnership with Fort Knox is remarkable,” said Col. Pat Kaune, Fort Knox garrison commander. “I greatly appreciate their dedication and commitment to bringing this program to fruition, which will ultimately help our soldiers long after they’ve taken off the uniform.”
In addition, the advanced manufacturing CSP presents an opportunity for employers and the broader community, said Knox Regional Development Alliance President and CEO Jim Iacocca.
“Military talent from across the Army will train at ECTC, and we have a unique opportunity to show them all that the Greater Fort Knox Region has to offer and connect them to local employers who are hiring now.” Iacocca said.
The advanced manufacturing sector is experiencing tremendous growth in the communities served by ECTC and beyond, creating careers — not just jobs — for workers with the right skills, Pate said.
“When you pair high-quality advanced manufacturing training with the work ethic and leadership of a U.S. Army Soldier, you develop talent that will not only meet the needs of today’s businesses, but also help those companies grow and create new opportunities,” Pate said.
Students will train tuition-free through the Work Ready Scholarship. Further, Fort Knox will provide no-cost housing, making the program even more accessible to transitioning soldiers interested in advanced manufacturing careers.
Soldiers interested in the program should contact Harriet Taylor at The Education Center at Fort Knox at 502-624-8246.
Lunch with a Fort Knox Leader
