AUSA North Texas – Audie Murphy General Membership Dinner
June 11, 2026
Registration/Reception 6:00 pm to 6:30
6:30 pm to 9:00 pm – Dinner and presentation
Subject: General Membership Meeting and Army 251st Birthday Celebration
Guest Speakers: Nick Becker – Veterans’ Healthcare
& CSM Tabitha Gavin – Talking about “Be Know DO”
St Paul the Apostle Parish Center
900 St Paul Drive Richardson, TX 75080
$35 a person. Registration required.
No Walk-ins Allowed
Nick Becker & CSM Tabitha Gavin
June 7, 2026 at 4:30 p.m.
Speakers – Scott O’Grady and T.O. Hanford
On June 2, 1995, Captain Scott O’Grady’s F-16 was shot down over Bosnia during NATO Operation Deny Flight, and for six days, he evaded Serbian forces in a masterclass of survival. On June 8, Captain T.O. Hanford, nearing the limit of his fuel and defying orders to return to base, flew his F-16 deep into hostile territory and picked up a faint radio call from O’Grady that sparked one of the most daring rescue operations in modern military history.
On the 31st anniversary of this epic rescue, NDBS is honored to present a special program featuring both Scott O’Grady and T.O. Hanford in a rare joint appearance. While they have shared their perspectives individually over the years, they rarely appear together to tell the full, synchronized story of the pilot on the ground and the one in the air who refused to leave him behind. We have also invited representatives of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, who conducted the rescue operation, for an unprecedented three-way discussion of this historic event.
August 9. 2026 at 4:30 p.m.
Speakers – Dr. Cynthia Watkins, Dr. Bud Cole (Captain, USN retired)
Both Dr. Watkins and Dr. Cole are experts on the People’s Republic of China (PRC). The understand the country’s internal politics and the personalities who lead the PRC. The two will provide insight into how they believe the PRC’s foreign policy will evolve given events in Venezuela, Iran, Russia, and Ukraine. They will also provide their views on what the challenges the PRC faces vis a vis its intentions toward Taiwan.
Dr. Watkins taught at the National Defense University for 30+ years before retiring in June 2022 and was awarded the title of Professor Emerita. She has an MA from the London School of Economics and a PhD from the University of Notre Dame. In addition to teaching classes, Dr. Watkins was Dean of Faculty & Academic Programs for three years. She is the author of 10 books on national security and is certified as a bilingual reader for the Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic.
Dr. Cole retired from full time teaching duties at the National War College in 2015 and was awarded the title of Professor Emeritus. While on the NWC faculty, Dr. Cole taught courses on Sino-American Relations and Maritime Strategy. He has written numerous articles and eight books most of which focus on the Asia. He earned a BA in history from the University of North Carolina, an M.P.A. in National Security Affairs from the University of Washington, and a Ph.D. in History from Auburn University. He previously served 30 years as a Surface Warfare Officer in the Navy, all in the Pacific. Dr. Cole commanded a frigate, U.S.S. Rathburne (FF-1057)and Destroyer Squadron 35. He served as Naval Gunfire Liaison Officer with the THIRD Marine Division in Vietnam, and as Special Assistant to the CNO for Expeditionary Warfare.
