Report From the May 2011 TCC Meeting in Philadelphia

The Philadelphia TCC Chapter was treated to a multi-course Schezuan banquet at its most recent meeting on Sunday, May 15, at Han Dynasty, one of the country’s top-rated Chinese restaurants. In attendance were TCC Board member Kevin Hughes, who was enjoying his first-ever visit to the chapter, and guest speaker Robert W. Frye, former director of protocol at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad. Before the group of 12, Mr. Frye spoke at length about the difficulties of traveling in a war zone, and the specifics of a protocol officer’s duties. Mr. Frye brought with him a copy of a menu served at a state dinner, a photo of himself in the foxhole where Saddam Hussein was eventually found by U.S. troops, and various shots of the U.S. military presence in Iraq. The impressed group has already expressed interest in having the very personable Mr. Frye return in 2012 for a “part II” talk.

The chapter’s next meeting will be held on Sunday, Sept. 25, at 5 p.m. at Brauhaus Schmitz, an authentic German bierhall at 718 South Street in Center City Philadelphia. The group will ring in Oktoberfest in style, with a representative from the office of the Austrian Consulate General on hand to discuss the typical duties of a Consul General. Please RSVP to chapter coordinator Jane Berryman no later than Sept. 19 at jane.berryman@raymondjames.com.