Past Presidents
The pace and ‘temperature’ of the Chapter is often set by the Chapter President. We have had a wide variety of Presidents with a wide variety of agendas. All Presidents are chosen by a vote of the members. The term of a Chapter President is (usually) 2 Years.
Current President
CW4(R) Reginald ‘Reggie’ Jacobs
2025 - 2027
CW5(R) Anson L. Seebeck
Sep 2023 - Sep 2025
?
13 Sep 2004 - Sep 2006
CW4(R) Max C. Bennett
14 Sep 2006 - 4 Nov 2010
CW4(R) Tom LaFontaine
Sep 2002 - Sep 2004
CW3(R) Gary W. Mayers
14 Sep 2016 - Sep 2018
CW5(R) Michael ‘Mike’ Weist
10 Sep 2014 - 13 Sep 2016
CW4 Reggie Jacobs - The Really, Really Quiet Professional
Term: Sep 2025 - 2027
Past Presidents
CW5(R) Keith Langewisch
Sep 2018 - Sep 2023
CW4(R) Johnnie Walters
5 Nov 2010 - 2014
CW4(R) Ed Banville
19xx - 19xx
Honoring Heroes: The visionaries behind Huntsville’s Veterans Day Parade legacy
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WAFF) - The Veterans Day Parade in Huntsville is a cherished tradition, one that wouldn’t exist in its current form without the vision and dedication of three exceptional veterans. They turned a simple parade into a week-long tribute honoring our local military community.
A Legacy Begun by Major Hal Meeker
In the early 1990s, Retired Major Harold “Hal” Meeker launched the Huntsville Veterans Day Parade. A decorated soldier, Meeker took on every detail of the event, from organizing the lineup to serving as the parade marshal. For nearly two decades, he poured his heart into the parade, transforming a modest gathering into a beloved community event. Although Meeker passed away in 2018, his impact remains deeply ingrained in the fabric of Huntsville’s Veterans Day celebrations.
Expanding the Vision: CW4 Ed Banville’s Contributions
By the mid-1990s, the parade had started to gain significant traction. Retired Chief Warrant Officer 4 Ed Banville joined Meeker in organizing the parade. Banville recalls the humble beginnings, when he and Meeker and friends from the American Legion arranged the lineup and managed logistics.
“When we started, we said, ‘Hey, let’s do the parade,’” Banville reminisced. “We started in front of the old Hilton Hotel. Hal and his friends from the American Legion would put everyone in order and send them on their way.”
A Week-Long Celebration Led by Brig. Gen. Bob Drolet
As the city of Huntsville grew, so did the parade and the challenges of organizing such a massive event. That‘s when Retired Brigadier General Bob Drolet stepped in. Understanding the parade’s potential to honor veterans on a larger scale, Drolet expanded the single-day celebration into a week-long series of events. Under the umbrella of the Association of the United States Army (AUSA), Drolet helped add a veterans’ breakfast, a dinner, a prayer breakfast, and special ceremonies for Gold Star families and Purple Heart recipients.
“Hal and Ed ran into some trouble as the parade grew with the city,” Drolet said. “So they came to AUSA, and we took it under our umbrella. We expanded Veterans Day to include multiple events and sponsored Gold Star families and Purple Heart recipients.”
WAFF 48’s Role in Growing the Parade
In 1997, WAFF 48 proudly joined as a sponsor, broadcasting the parade live to the community. This partnership, with WAFF 48’s own Liz Hurley serving as MC, significantly boosted the visibility of the event, drawing more support for veterans.
“The fact that WAFF 48 televised it and supported veterans at the same time really helped grow the event even more,” Drolet explained.
A Parade Rooted in Pride and Tradition
As the home of Redstone Arsenal, Huntsville takes immense pride in honoring its military community. The annual Veterans Day Parade is more than just a celebration; it’s a testament to Hal Meeker’s vision and the tireless efforts of many others who have kept this tradition alive.
Looking ahead, Drolet hinted at plans to expand the parade even further in 2025, incorporating more downtown businesses to enrich the experience.
WAFF 48 remains a proud sponsor of this beloved event. Join us for the Veterans Day Parade live on WAFF 48 this Monday at 11 a.m., or watch on the WAFF 48 News app and online.
Let’s honor our veterans and celebrate the legacy that continues to march through the heart of downtown Huntsville.
Sep 2002: (l to r) Garrison Commander, COL Robert (Bob) Devlin swore in newly-elected officers: CW4R Tom LaFontaine (President), CW5R Michael Kelley (VP - Active), CW2 Mike Schubert (VP - Retired), CW4R Johnie Keeter, Sr., (Secretary) and CW4R Richard Christian (Treasurer).
26 Sep 2008: LTC(R) Kevin Wilson administers the Oath of Office to (l to r) CW4R Richard Christian (Treasurer), CW4R Johnie Keeter, Sr. (Secretary), CW3R Joe Shiver (VP - Retired Affairs), CW4R Tony Caudle (VP), CW4R Max Bennett (President).
10 Sep 2014: (l to r) CW4R Richard Christian (Treasurer), CW4R Johnie Keeter, Sr. (Secretary), CW3R Gary W. Mayers (VP), and CW5R Michael E. Weist (President). (Sworn in by LTC David E. Cooper, AV)
Sep 2020: (l to r) CW3R Clarissa Lewis (VP), CW5R Keith Langewisch (President), CW4R Richard Christian (Treasurer), and CW5R Michael E. Weist (Secretary).
Sep 2025: (l to r) CW5R Reggie Jacobs (President), CW5R Al Ruzicka (VP), CW5R Keith Langewisch (Secretary) and CW4R Richard Christian (Treasurer). (Sworn in by CW4R Max C. Bennett).
Sep 2004: (l to r) CW4R Richard Christian (Treasurer), CW3R Ed Cunningham (VP-Ret), CW4R Max C. Bennett (VP-Active), COL(R) Cliff Broderick (the Hooah Hooah Colonel), CW4R Johnie Keeter, Sr., (Secretary) and CW5R Richard Story (President) in the CW4R Bob Howell Room of the Redstone Arsenal Officers and Civilians Club.
5 Nov 2010: CW3R Eugene ‘Gene’ Perrino (SE Region Director) administers the Oath of Office to (l to r) CW4R Johnnie L. Walters (President), CW5R Michael E. Weist (VP - Active), CW3R Vinita S. Hughes (VP - Retired), CW4R Johnie M. Keeter, Sr. (Secretary), CW4R Richard E. Christian (Treasurer).
14 Sep 2016: CW5R Jim Rathburn (Officiator) speaks with newly-elected officers and guests. (l to r) CW4R Richard Christian (Treasurer), CW3R Bill Alcorn (SE Region Director), CW3R Robert L. Seybold, Sr (VP), CW3R Gary W. Mayers (President), Medal of Honor Recipient, CPT(R) Gary Michael “Mike” Rose, FA, and CW5R Michael E. Weist (Secretary).
14 Sep 2006: (l to r) CW4R Max C. Bennett (President), CW5R Anthony ‘Tony’ Caudle (VP - Active), CW3R Joe Shiver (VP - Retired), CW4R Johnie Keeter, Sr., (Secretary), and CW4R Richard Christian (Treasurer) in the Redstone Arsenal Officers and Civilians Club.
19 Sep 2012: CW4R Max Bennett (Past Chapter President) administers the Oath of Office to (l to r) CW4R Johnnie L. Walters (President), CW5R Michael E. Weist (VP), CW4R Richard E. Christian (Treasurer), and CW4R Johnie M. Keeter, Sr. (Secretary),
Sep 2018: (l to r) LTG(R) James H. Pillsbury swears in the newly-elected officers (l to r): CW5R Keith Langewisch (President), CW3R Clarissa Lewis (VP), CW3R Bill Alcorn (Secretary), and CW4R Richard Christian (Treasurer).