SIR Branches generally hold monthly meeting for their membership that enhances additional engagement opportunities beyond groups that participate in specific sponsored activities. The lunches are characterized by a social hour followed by lunch and updates on various events and activities of the branch. But the major highlight of the lunch event is the invited speaker. Speakers are managed by the branch’s Speaker Coordinator. His goal is to reach out and acquire speakers across a broad range of topics that will appeal to the interests of the membership. Avoiding controversial topics such as religion and politics, our Coordinator strives to maintain the quality and subject content appeal as it is a substantial element of attracting, and retaining branch membership.

The following is a log of planned and previous speakers:

BR 32 Speaker Program History
Speaker Date	Speaker name	Topic
2/19/2025	Richard Holmboe – Pidgeon Point Docent and Villager	The Three Giants of the Sea – Whales Off the Coast of Northern California
1/15/2025	Vanessa Souza LCSW, N.CA Alzheimer’s Assoc ????	Need Topic and Confirmation from Ken Roberts
11/20/2024	Kent Hillhouse – 2 Star General, Retired	Experiences in Vietnam
10/16/2024	John Trudeau	Senior Academy – First Time Trip to Buenos Aires
9/18/2024	Bay Area Sportswriter Cam Inman	Insight about local Bay Area Teams – 49ers, Giants, Warriors, Sharks
8/21/2024	Jon Welte – CEO of Hiller Air Museum	The History of Aviation
6/19/2024	Marc Landgraf Gavin Comstock	An Informative Look at Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority Protecting, Developing Our Open Spaces
5/15/2024	Irene Godinez	Founder of A Bridge to Change – Assisting Veterans Facing Physical Challenges Post Discharge
4/17/2024	US Army Lt Colonel Ed Mitchell, Retired	Analysis and Insight RE: American Policy from Afganistan to Formosa
3/20/2024	Dedra Jize	As We Age, What You Don’t Know Might Hurt You
2/21/2024	Lt Colonel Austin Street	Kabul Airport Air Mobilization and Evacuation/Leadership Under Stress
1/17/2024	Irene Perbal	Living in Occupied Netherlands during WWII and Her Experiences
11/15/2023	Gary B Laine, DDS	An Overview of Bay Area Honor Flight to Washington DC – Gary is Flight Photographer
10/18/2023	Dan Rusanowsky	The Radio Voice of the San Jose Sharks – History of the Shark Franchise and 2023’s Team
9/20/2023	Lt John Nores Jr., Retired	The Hidden War: How Special Ops Game Wardens are Reclaiming America’s Wildlands from the Drug Cartels
8/16/2023	Tony Mazzucco	Overview and Explanation of James Webb Space Telescope, Its Development and Operation
6/21/2023	Captain Tom Spink	The History of Moffett Field – Chairman of Moffett Field Historical Society and Museum
5/17/2023	Nanci Klein	San Jose Downtown Development
4/19/2023	Bay Area Sportswriter Cam Inman	Insight about local Bay Area Teams – 49ers, Giants, Warriors, Sharks
3/15/2023	Carlo Facchino	Solo Ocean Row to Hawaii from CA – Using His 19 Foot Rowing Boat
2/15/2023	Patrick Farrant	Experiencing a Life Heart Event and Member of Mended Heart Support Group
1/18/2023	Major General Robert B Ostenberg US Army Retired	A 39 year military career chronology with Vietnam