First Annual Pittsburgh Armed Forces Ball

“We fight together…time to dine together”

The first annual Pittsburgh Armed Forces Ball was held Friday, 6 November 2015. The gala was presented by the Ft Pitt Chapter of the Association of the United States Army and the University of Pittsburgh, with generous support from Allegheny Technologies Incorporated and BNY Mellon Bank.

The Master of Ceremonies for the night was Vietnam Veteran and member of the first four Pittsburgh Steeler Super Bowl victories, Mr. Rocky Bleier. Cadets from the University of Pittsburgh’s Army ROTC Three Rivers Battalion served as the color guard. With the University of Pittsburgh’s Alumni Hall serving as the venue, over two hundred-fifty guests were in attendance representing all branches of the US Armed Services, corporate sponsors, and other distinguished guests including Rory Cooper Ph.D., Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army and Distinguished Professor at the University of Pittsburgh and special advisor to the VA, Major General Bruce Crawford, Commanding General US Communications and Electronics Command, and Major General John Gronski, Commanding General 28th Infantry Division PANG.

During the dinner, Ft Pitt AUSA chapter president, Carlos Carmona-Torres, presented the GEN John Forbes Distinguished service award to the Honorable Jessica Wright, former Under Secretary of Defense and Adjutant General PA National Guard. The award is presented to a Pittsburgh native’s lifetime achievements and accomplishments in service to their country, the Armed Services and the Pittsburgh Community.

President Carmona-Torres also presented the chapter’s Corporate Warrior Leader award to Mr. Ian Stewart, Chairman of BNY Mellon-Pittsburgh. This award recognizes the outstanding service of BNY Mellon to the Warrior community in Western Pennsylvania as one of the chapter’s valued service sponsor.

The full catalog of photos of the event may be viewed on Facebook