BEIRUT VETERANS OF AMERICA, INC.
Annual Meeting
Thursday, October 22, 2026
10:00 A.M.
Carolina Museum of the Marine
AGENDA
1. Opening Ceremony
- Sergeant at Arms
- Pledge of Allegiance
2. Invocation
- Opening Prayer by Chaplain Thacker
3. Introduction of BVA Leadership
- Introduction of Board Members and Officers
4. State of the Beirut Veterans of America
- Address by President Mike Zawacki
5. Guest Speaker
- To be announced
6. Finance Committee Report
- Financial Update
- Presented by Brad Ulick
7. Public Affairs Committee / Speakers Bureau Report
- Presented by Maureen Roepsch
8. Membership Committee Report
- Membership Update
- Presented by Thurnell (Chip) Shields
9. Scholarship Committee Report
- Scholarship Program Update
- Presented by Stacey Pollard
10. Bylaws Committee Report
- Bylaw Review and Recommendations
- Presented by Greg Hunt
11. Election of New Board Member(s)
- Discussion and Vote
12. Meeting Wrap-Up
- Questions and Comments from Membership
- Closing Remarks
13. Benediction
- Final Prayer
14. Adjournment
Beirut Veterans of America, Inc.
"The First Duty is to Remember"
Beirut Memorial Observance: Order of Events
23 October 2026
0600 — Candlelight Vigil
The candlelight vigil begins promptly with the reading of the names. At 0622, the reading pauses for one minute of silence to correspond with the Beirut time of the bombing, then resumes until all names have been read.
1000 — Seating opens for the Beirut Memorial Observance.
1030 — Beirut Memorial Observance Begins
1400 — Afternoon Ceremonies
- Devil Dog Ceremony at Camp Geiger
- Beirut Memorial Wreath-Laying Ceremony, hosted by the Marine Corps League, Marine Order of the Devil Dogs, Detachment No. 059
