SAN ANTONIO – (Oct. 17, 2025) – More than 100 members of the community including lawyers, educators, law enforcement and interested members of the public attended to the Global & National Security Conference held at the Marriott Northwest.
The free conference, hosted by the Warrior Defense Project and the 20th District of the American Legion Department of Texas, presented a unique opportunity for the general community to receive critical information on the full range of issues - legal and policy - related to global and national security.
To kick off the conference, the Honor Guard from Audie L. Murphy American Legion Post 336 presented the colors, followed by opening remarks by Patricia Roberts, dean of St. Mary’s School of Law.
“For over a century, The American Legion has stood as a pillar of support for those who have served our nation,” said Roberts, a Charles E. Cantu Distinguished Professor of Law. “At St. Mary’s School of Law, we believe in service; service to justice, community, and especially to those who have served our country.”
Roberts was followed by Department of Texas Commander Richard Huntley. “A strong national defense is one of our four pillars upon which The American Legion was founded and remains a key focus of our organization,” said Huntley. “The American Legion is not just a network; we are very much involved in promoting a 100% Americanism as well as focusing on other issues such as military health care.”
Other morning speakers included retired U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Alfred A. Valenzuela, a senior consultant with the Warrior Defense Project, along with retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. Dr. Jeffrey F. Addicott, director of the Warrior Defense Project, who gave a homeland threat assessment.
Traveling from Washington, D.C., was Legionnaire Sean Counihan, National Security director of The American Legion, who briefed attendees on legislative priorities of the Legion to include each of the several committees under the National Security Commission.
Following lunch, attendees received a narco-terrorism briefing from former FBI Special Agent James Conway, a global counterterrorism and risk management consultant. and a briefing on law of war and cyber threats from retired U.S Navy Capt. Robert Lee Summers Jr., emeritus professor of law at St. Mary’s University School of Law.
Founded in 2019, the Warrior Defense Project is a nonpartisan, nonprofit, Section 501(c)(3) academic institution at St. Mary’s University School of Law dedicated to providing free legal services to military members wrongfully accused of misconduct.
Since its founding in 1919, The American Legion has been a key advocate for veterans’ benefits, children and youth, patriotic American values, a strong national defense and quality-of-life issues for those serving in today’s armed forces.
Special thanks to the following sponsors: the Roger L. and Laura D. Zeller Charitable Foundation, Ferrari & Associates P.C., and Dr. Richard Sugden.
