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2005 Technology Exposition introduces latest inventions

Marine Corps News

Story Identification #: 2005318145425
Story by Lance Cpl. Matthew K. Hacker

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. (March 17, 2005) -- The Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association hosted their annual technology exposition at Marston Pavilion March 16 in order to create an environment where service members and civilians could interact with the latest state-of-the-art technology used in the military.

The AFCEA’s mission is to support global security by providing an ethical environment that encourages a close cooperative relationship among civil government agencies, the military and industry, according to www.afceanc.org.

“We’re here to create an opportunity for companies to visit and show their new pieces of technology,” said Daniel Egge, secretary of the AFCEA North Carolina Chapter. “No matter what kind of equipment it may be.”

The AFCEA is an international, non-profit association, which represents the professional communications, electronics, intelligence and information systems community. The association provides an ethical forum for government and industry leaders to meet and exchange ideas and concepts, discuss current problems and solutions, and identify future requirements in these technical disciplines, according to the Web site.

While the company is an international organization, more locally, the Coastal North Carolina Chapter of AFCEA provides a local meeting place for open dialogue on common issues through tours, exhibits, speakers and technical seminars. The local chapter meets monthly and membership is open to civilians and military personnel of all ranks. Each year the chapter awards scholarships to deserving local high school and college students, and Science Teaching Tools awards to local teachers, according to officials on the Web site.

“Our exposition has grown over the years as well,” said Egge. “In the very beginning, we had roughly a dozen companies, now we’re up to at least 30.”

The AFCEA raises money through fundraisers and expositions in order to give scholarships to students in the surrounding areas and directly to various schools to help with the costs of education.

The organization is also hosting a golf tournament April 6, aboard Camp Lejeune in order to raise more money for a random Science teacher at a local community school, giving them the means to further their science classes.

They provide The General John A. Wickham Scholarship, $1,500 each, is awarded to rising sophomore, junior or senior students enrolled full-time in accredited, degree-granting, four-year colleges or universities in the United States.

Also, The General Emmett Paige Scholarship, which is also $1,500, is awarded to people on active duty in the uniformed military, veterans and dependents, who are enrolled in accredited, degree-granting institutions in the U.S.

Overall, the AFCEA is an organization focused on informing people about new and upcoming state-of-the-art technology of the American way of life. They offer a venue for events, such as the exposition and golf tournament, where people may attend, helping to raise money to give back to community and future events. New technology is proposed on whether or not people want the new items in their society … the AFCEA provides a venue for new inventions of the future.