Kirby Stewart American Legion Special Guest Speaker
Bradenton, Florida – The Kirby Stewart American Legion Post #24 is pleased to invite the public to participate in the 2022 Memorial Day activities on Monday May 30th.
Memorial Day activities will commence at 9am with a traditional graveside ceremony, complete with Honor Guard and Bugler, in honor of Post #24 namesake, LT Kirby Pelot Stewart, in the Fogartyville Cemetery located at 4200 3rd Avenue NW in Bradenton.
Following the ceremony in the Fogartyville Cemetery, the public is invited to the American Legion Post #24 for a special Memorial Day Ceremony at 11am. Post #24 is honored to host LTG (R) Robert Caslen, former Superintendent of the United States Military Academy @ West Point as its Key Note Speaker. The first 50 attendees to the 11am event will be invited to join us in the post for a free lunch immediately following the ceremony.
The Foxhole Lounge at American Legion Post #24 will also be featuring Live Music entertainment throughout the afternoon and into the evening. Music by Scott Mac will begin at 1:30pm and Music by Tim Chandler will begin at 5pm.
LTG Robert Caslen Biography
LTG (R) Robert (Bob) Caslen was born in Connecticut and grew up in New England.
After graduating from High School in Vermont, Caslen attended the United States Military Academy @ West Point where he graduated in 1975 and was commissioned as a 2nd LT in the US Army. Caslen also played Center on the Army Football Team while at West Point.
LTG Caslen has a long and distinguished military career, as well as earning two (2) Masters Degrees. (Long Island University & Kansas State University).
A few highlights from his 43 year military career include, but are not limited to:
- During Operation Desert Storm, Caslen served as executive officer of the 2nd Battalion, 187th Infantry, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault).
- Caslen was at the Pentagon during the September 11 attacks. Following the attack, he re-entered the Pentagon, helping search for wounded and working on reversing the air conditioning system in order to remove smoke from the building.
- Caslen has served in various command & staff positions including chief of staff for the Combined Joint Task Force 180 in Afghanistan where He was a commander of Operation Champion Sword, as well as leadership roles with the 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum; and the 3rd Infantry Division (Mechanized)
- After combat in Afghanistan Caslen returned to be the Commandant of Cadets at West Point, a post he left in May 2008to take command of the 25th Infantry Division
- Caslen commanded the 25th Infantry Division during “the surge” in the Iraq War.
- In March 2010, Caslen became Commandant of the US Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth.
- In July 2013, LTG Caslen was appointed Superintendent of the United States Military Academy @ West Point where he led the Academy with distinction for 5 years
In June 2018, after 43 years of service to the nation, LTG Caslen retired from the US Army. Over the course of his military career, Caslen received numerous civilian and military awards, including Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Army Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Bronze Star Medal, German Armed Forces Badge for Military Proficiency, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Lifetime of Service Award from the American Red Cross, and NCAA Theodore Roosevelt Award, amongst others.
Additionally, LTG Caslen’s reputation earned him an interview in February 2017 with President Donald Trump as a finalist for National Security Advisor after President Trump requested the resignation of Michael T. Flynn after 24 days on the job.
LTG Bob Caslen is married to Michele (Shelly) Caslen (nee Pastin) from Highland Falls, New York. They have three sons and 5 grandchildren.
