Siouxland Chamber of Commerce

35^th \;Annual Dinner
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Thursday\, September 30\, 2021
\nSioux City Convention Center

\nAs our nation commemorates the 20th anniversary of the tragedy of 9/11\, we welcome keynote speaker Melissa Stockwell. \; Hear and reflect on an inspiring message of perseverance and maintaining perspective in leadership and in life from an American hero and mother of two who has triumphed over personal tragedy to achieve greatness\, World Champion status\, and who has dedicated her life to chasing remarkable accomplishments while giving back to others\, particularly those who face challenges similar to her own. \; \;
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A performance of the National Anthem by Navy Petty Officer First Class (Retired) Generald Wilson of St. Louis\, Missouri will kick off the evening that will \;salute our veterans and the servicemembers who courageously defend our freedom.
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5:15 PM - Social
\n6:00 PM - Color Guard Presentation / \;National Anthem / Invocation
\n6:15 PM - Dinner &\; Chamber Program
\n8:00 PM - Keynote Address

\nLimited tiered sponsorships \;are available for premium seating on a first come\, first served basis. \;If you are interested in sponsorship contact Katy Karrer\, kkarrer@siouxlandchamber.com.
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\nDownload a paper registration \;HERE.

MORE ABOUT OUR SPEAKER

A 2002 ROTC graduate of the University of Colorado\, Stockwell was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army and deployed to Baghdad\, Iraq in March of 2004 as part of the global &ldquo\;War on Terror.&rdquo\; Three short weeks later\, a blast from a roadside bomb struck her Humvee causing the loss of her left leg above the knee. After enduring numerous infections and surgeries\, Lieutenant Stockwell was medically retired from the Army. She is the first female in our Armed Forces to lose a limb in active combat\, and a recipient of both the Bronze Star and Purple Heart. \;\n\n

\nFollowing her military service and focusing on her recovery\, Stockwell turned her attention to competitive athletics and became the first Iraqi War Veteran to qualify for the Paralympics. After competing in three swimming events at the 2008 Paralympic Games in China\, Stockwell was honored by her fellow Team USA athletes and selected to carry our nation&rsquo\;s flag at the closing ceremonies. After Beijing\, she transitioned to the sport of Paratriathlon and is now a three-time World Champion. She was named female Paratriathlete of the Year for two consecutive years and has twice been nominated for an ESPY award.
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\nToday\, Stockwell continues to compete as a world-class athlete while giving back to others\, particularly those who face challenges similar to her own. She has become a certified prosthetist\, elite triathlon coach\, and the published author of The Power of Choice: My Journey from Wounded Warrior to World Champion. \; Personalized\, signed copies of the book will be available for purchase at the event.