HUNTSVILLE – The Voices of Our Times series returns to The Huntsville Museum of Art (HMA) with an incredible lineup of guest speakers for 2024. The annual series brings people of note in the arts, academia, publishing, and politics to the HMA for candid, in-depth discussions, and presentations. Our next Voices of Our Times features Retired Staff Sergeant Clinton Romesha in a conversation with Lieutenant General Jim Pillsbury, USA (Ret.) Romesha is an author, Medal of Honor recipient, and hero. This event will take place on Thursday, April 18 at 6:30 pm.
Retired Staff Sergeant Clinton Romesha
“We are honored to host our second Voices of Our Times event, showcasing the courageous Retired Staff Sergeant Clinton Romesha in conversation with Lieutenant General Jim Pillsbury, USA (Ret.). Romesha’s valor as an author, Medal of Honor recipient, and true American Hero promises an evening of profound reflection and inspiration. Join us as we pay tribute to courage, sacrifice, and the enduring spirit of service,” said HMA Executive Director Christopher Madkour.
The Battle of Kamdesh stands as one of the bloodiest battles of the entire Afghan War and Staff Sergeant Clinton Romesha, author of the book Red Platoon: A True Story of American Valor, portrayed the battle in the Netflix documentary series, Medal of Honor. The battle lasted 14 hours and cost eight American lives while the Taliban suffered an estimated 150 killed. Romesha deployed twice to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, and once to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
Romesha received the Medal of Honor for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a Section Leader with Bravo Troop, during combat operations against an armed enemy at Combat Outpost Keating in Afghanistan on October 3, 2009. With complete disregard for his own safety, Staff Sergeant Romesha continually exposed himself to heavy enemy fire, as he moved confidently about the battlefield engaging and destroying multiple enemy targets.
On Feb 11, 2013, Romesha received the Medal of Honor at a ceremony held in the White House. Then in 2014, he started working on his book Red Platoon: A True Story of American Valor, which became a New York Times bestseller. Romesha travels the country doing veteran and youth outreach, inspirational and motivational speaking, and enjoying his time spent with his wife Kelli, and their six kids.
“This event is less about me or the Medal of Honor and more about how patriotism and our collective defense of freedom makes America unbreakable. I am looking forward to joining you all in Huntsville!” said Romesha.
Lieutenant General Jim Pillsbury, (Ret.)
Lieutenant General Jim Pillsbury, (Ret.) commenced his military journey in 1973, enlisting in the Army through ROTC at Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas. After attending flight school in 1976 and the Maintenance Test Pilot School in 1977, he dedicated 16 years to Infantry Divisions, with a significant portion spent in the esteemed 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault). Achieving the rank of Brigadier General in 2001, Pillsbury held key positions such as Command of the Defense Distribution Center, Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics for the United States Army Europe, Commander of the Army Aviation and Missile Command, Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations for the Army Material Command, and later Deputy Commanding General for AMC, concluding his illustrious career in 2011. Post-retirement, he actively engages with his community in New Market, Alabama, where he contributes to numerous mission trips to Guatemala through his church. Currently residing in Huntsville, Alabama, Pillsbury finds joy in family, with his two children and two grandchildren also calling Huntsville home.
Tickets to the Voices of Our Times with Retired Staff Sergeant Clinton Romesha are on sale now and are $200 for museum members and $250 for nonmembers.
Purchase tickets here: Voices of Our Times with Retired Staff Sergeant Clinton Romesha
HMA’s Voices of Our Times series is sponsored by AL.com, IronMountain Solutions, Inc., PNC, and Shelbie King.
Voices of Our Times: Clinton Romesha is supported by Lead Sponsors Boing, Thompson Gray | Gray Analytics, Cynthia and Rey Almodovar in Memory of Becky Pillsbury, Cathy and Bill Stender, and Torch Technologies.
Voices of Our Times presentations and dinner will be held in Loretta Spencer Hall.
More information about this and other museum events can be found at http://hsvmuseum.org.
Purchase Tickets Here
Media Release/Sherry Brukner – Huntsville Museum of Art
