By: Yvonne Dempsey
The Alabama Veterans Museum & Archives in Athens invites everyone to the Memorial Day program on Monday, May 27, at 11 a.m. in the museum’s event venue. Memorial Day is a solemn day of remembrance, honor, and tribute to those who sacrificed their lives for their country. During our program, we will also remember those veterans who have passed away since last Memorial Day.
We are honored to have as our keynote speaker Phillip W. Williams Jr., Colonel (R) who many of you know from his syndicated radio show, Rightside Radio. His show serves as a voice for the principles of law and public policy that affect all Alabamians. But there is much more to Phil Williams than his on-air persona whose mission is to enlighten, empower, educate, and entertain his audience with his conservative principles.
Phil was formerly the Chief Policy Officer and General Counsel for the Alabama Policy Institute (API). He is also the managing member of Williams, Driskill, Huffstutler, & King, LLC, a law firm based in Gadsden, AL. Prior to practicing law Phil was in full time ministry for seven years with the international youth outreach organization YoungLife serving as an area director which involved direct ministry and counseling with teens, recruiting and training volunteers, public speaking, public relations, fundraising and close work with the members of the YoungLife Committee.
In addition to his day-to-day employment, Phil served two terms as the State Senator for the Tenth District of Alabama. During his tenure in the Senate Phil served as the Chairman for the Alabama Senate Committee on Fiscal Responsibility & Economic Development, and the Vice Chair for the Committee on Judiciary.
Phil also comes from a family with a long military tradition. He is an Airborne Ranger and retired in July 2017 after 30 years of service with the rank of Colonel (USAR). Phil served two combat tours in the Global War on Terror, one each in Afghanistan and Iraq, as well as one tour in the Pentagon on the Army Staff’s Special Operations Division. He served at all levels in both conventional and special operations forces. His last troop-leading position was as the Battalion Commander for the 1-167th Infantry. His final duty assignment was as a reserve instructor for the Joint Special Operations University, US Special Operations Command. Phil’s education includes a BS from the University of South Alabama and a Juris Doctorate from the Birmingham School of Law. He is also a graduate of the US Army’s Combined Arms and Services Staff School and the US Army Command and General Staff College.
Phil’s military awards include the Legion of Merit, two Bronze Star Medals, the Meritorious Service Medal, three Army Commendation Medals, two Army Achievement Medals, the Humanitarian Service Medal, both the Afghan and Iraq Campaign Medals with 3 campaign stars, The Ranger Tab, Senior Parachutist Wings, the Pathfinder Badge, German Parachutist Wings and the Combat Action Badge.
Please join us for our Memorial Day program which will also include music by The Limestone Winds and refreshments after the program.
By: Yvonne Dempsey
December 20, 2024
