Keynote Speaker

CDR John A. Higgins' Naval career started in September 1969 at NTC/RTC San Diego, CA. After "A" school, he trained as an Aviation Machinist Mate (jet engines) in Memphis, TN. His first fleet assignment was A-4's with Attack Squadron Forty Four, at Cecil Field, FL, followed by Attack Squadron One Two Seven in Lemoore, CA. He was later assigned to VQ4 at NAS Patuxent River, MD, where his "flying career" began and he logged over 2500 hours in the EC-130 Hercules. His love for flying flourished and he became the NATOPS Evaluator for TACAMO Inflight Technicians and VQ-4's "1980 Sea Sailor of the Year' In April 1981, Petty Officer Higgins was selected for the LDO Aviator Program and transferred to AOCS, Pensacola, FL. He completed his flight training in the T-28 and T-44 aircraft in Corpus Christy, TX, earning his wings on July 16, 1982. He then reported to VT-3 in Milton, FL as a Primary Flight Instructor in the T-34C to train new aviators and later as a FITC Instructor, training new assigned instructors. LT Higgins was later recognized as Pensacola Schools Command, Instructor of the Year, logging over 1800 hours in the T-34C. In April 1986 he was reassigned to the USS Ranger completing four tours as the Flight Deck Officer. Immediately following he was assigned to Point Magu, CA where he completed (three) six-month deployments in Antarctica. His next set of orders sent him to CFLSW DET NOLA in New Orleans, LA, operating T-39 Sabreliners as the NATOPS Officer and Wing Evaluator. In May 1993 upon completion of Aviation Safety School at Monterey, CA, LCD Higgins was assigned to VR-54 where he flew the new C-130T as the Safety Officer and Aviation Maintenance Officer. In September 1996 he transferred to NAF Washington as VR-53's Officer in Charge. In July of 1998, CD Higgins assumed the duties as Executive Office of VR-51 in Kaneohe, HI, and took command of the Squadron in September. He retired in December of 2000 after 30 years of service. In civilian life he continued to fly as a corporate pilot for another 16 years before fully retiring.

Special Guest Speaker

CDR Anita A. Williams completed a Master in Professional Studies (MPS) degree program at Georgetown University in Executive Emergency and Disaster Management (August 2022). She also holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Lynn University and a Master Certificate in Explosives Technology from Missouri University Science and Technology. Professionally, Williams serves as a Commander (O5) in the United States Coast Guard Reserves and is a recently retired DOJ Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) Special Agent with extensive experience in world-wide criminal investigations and interviews/interrogations. Over the course of her distinguished and multi-faceted police career, CDR Williams’ focus has been criminal justice and public safety with specialized training and credentials in the areas of national defense, criminal investigations, emergency and disaster management, and executive leadership.

Music by Daytona Beach Choral Society

Attendees can expect to hear the National Anthem, and perhaps even a patriotic sing-a-long!

For more than 40 years, this community choir has brought the “joy of singing” to Volusia County. In addition to concerts that cover genres from classical works to contemporary pop, DBCS offers an outlet for our residents to learn new music, sight read, harmonize, exercise their vocal skills, and socialize with friends.

In 2020, they tackled their first virtual project, a performance of “A Tribute to the Armed Services,” which was arranged and orchestrated by Lloyd Larson (watch the video at https://youtu.be/mpSKI5Jwl1k). 

Pop-Up Art Exhibit

Hope4Veterans is a nonprofit organization that helps our military women, active duty, National Guard, and Veterans, through education, social events, and mentoring. The Hope4Veterans vision is to prevent isolation, homelessness, and suicide by providing sister connections, social meet and greets, Art and Women Projects, Peer2Peer Sister Program, and the resources and tools to help military women obtain the benefits they deserve.