By Staff
BENTON HARBOR -- Former Commander-In-Chief, U.S. Central Command, General Tommy Franks, will address The Economic Club of Southwestern Michigan Oct. 1, Economic Club President Michael Cook announced.
The meeting will take place at the Lake Michigan College Mendel Center for Arts and Technology in Benton Harbor.
Doors will open at 5 p.m. for general membership and 6 p.m. for Mainstage members.
When four-star Gen. Tommy Franks succeeded Gen. Anthony Zinni as Commander-in-Chief of the United States Central Command on July 6, 2000, little did he know the events that would bring him into the international limelight.
His command of American military operations in a 25-country region included such volatile hotbeds as Africa, Central Asia and the Middle East.
It was Franks who led the attack on the Taliban in Afghanistan following the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and The Pentagon.
He also led the 2003 invasion of Iraq and the overthrow of Saddam Hussein.
While in Central Command, Franks usually steered clear of the media, choosing to focus his energies in the war room at CENTCOM headquarters.
When he did face the camera, he was realistic, presenting the facts and the inevitable costs of war without any sugar coating.
Franks' military career spans nearly four decades.
He was an Assistant Division Commander (Maneuver), First Cavalry Division during Operations Desert Shield/Desert Storm.
Then in 1994, he began a series of commands in Korea prior to leading the Central Command.
Decorated with numerous military honors, Franks retired from service on Aug. 1, 2003.