now, i would like to proudly introduce retired marine corps colonel thomas w holden. commissioned as second lieutenant in the united states marine corps during his college graduation and proceeded directly to pensacola where he was trained as a marine pilot. he was designated a naval aviator in december of 1968 and received further training in the ch 46 helicopter at marine air base cousin, california. he was deployed to vietnam in april of 1969. on his second southeast asia tour, he participated in the saigon evacuation, flying the last 11 marines off of the roof of the american embassy on the morning of april 30, 1975. we will hear more about that evening. he's a graduate of the army war college in carlisle, pennsylvania and the national war college in washington, d.c.. he later served as a marine corps chair on the faculty of the naval war college teaching national military strategy. in 1993 to kansas city and was assigned as the commanding officer. he later retired in 1996. ladies and gentlemen, please help me welcome colonel thomas holden the stage. [applause] co

now, i would like to proudly introduce retired marine corps colonel thomas w holden. commissioned as second lieutenant in the united states marine corps during his college graduation and proceeded directly to pensacola where he was trained as a marine pilot. he was designated a naval aviator in december of 1968 and received further training in the ch 46 helicopter at marine air base cousin, california. he was deployed to