2023 Freedom Ball Keynote Speaker

Dear Veterans and GVDA Supporters – We are honored to announce that the 2023 Freedom Ball Keynote Speaker is Brigadier General Peter L. Jones, US Army Retired. With his 32 years of active service to our nation, Pete can provide unique insight into our military today and the role they play in worldwide operations. In support of our theme of "Korean War | Korea Defense | ROK-US Alliance", BG Jones will discuss his service at the Joint Security Area on the Demilitarized Zone between North and South Korea. Brigadier General Peter L. Jones, US Army Retired Peter assumed his current position as President & Chief Executive Officer of the non-profit National Infantry Museum Foundation in January 2018. The museum’s mission is to maintain the history of the U.S. Army Infantryman while honoring Soldiers – past, present and future. According to Trip Advisor, the 190,000 square - foot National Infantry Museum (NIM) is the highest rated tourist attraction in Georgia. Welcoming more than 250,000 visitors a year, it has been voted America’s Best Free and Best History Museum in USA Today’s Readers’ Choice poll and also selected as one of the Top 12 Military Museums worldwide by CNN Travel. Prior to retiring, Peter served for two years as the U.S. Army Infantry School Commandant and 56th Chief of Infantry. During his tenure, he oversaw the integration and training of female Soldiers and officers into the Infantry force. Additionally, he oversaw the study of Russia’s use of disruptive technologies and hybrid operations in the Ukraine and Syria as the Director, Russian New Generation Warfare Study. Throughout his 32-year career, Peter has led Soldiers from Company through Brigade level and served in numerous staff and leadership positions. He has deployed twice to Kosovo in support of NATO peacekeeping operations. He also has four combat deployments serving in Iraq as commander of a 900-man Infantry Battalion in Baghdad and as a commander of a 5,500-man Heavy Brigade Combat Team operating in the five provinces south of Baghdad. Additionally, he has served as a strategic planner at the 4-star multinational NATO headquarters in Iraq and Afghanistan. Peter has served in numerous staff positions at all levels from Battalion to Division level as well as assignments to the Army and Joint Staffs. Most notably, he served more than two years as the Executive Officer to the Secretary of the Army as the Army shifted operational focus from Iraq to Afghanistan, while managing the budget challenges posed by sequestration. Peter resides in Columbus, Georgia, but calls The Woodlands, Texas, home. He received his commission inthe Infantry after graduating from U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y., in 1985. Additionally, he holds three Masters degrees including a National Security Studies degree from Georgetown University. He is married to the former Stephanie Scott Fall of Virginia Beach, Virginia, and they have two adult sons. Please join us on 11 November 2023 as we honor our Military Veterans and Active-Duty Servicemembers. The Georgia Veterans Day Parade will take place in Midtown Atlanta on Peachtree Street from 15th Street to 5th Street. Our Veterans Expo and Observance Ceremony will take place at the Woodruff Arts Center in Midtown Atlanta. That evening, we will present our annual black-tie Freedom Ball at the Cobb Galleria Centre. Respectfully, Kevin L. Miller President Georgia Veterans Day Association, Inc.