By: Sharon Aron Baron
The City of Tamarac, along with the Veterans Affairs Committee, will hold its Memorial Day Service to honor all Americans who made the supreme sacrifice with their unselfish devotion to defending our heritage of liberty and justice for all.
This year’s keynote speaker will be U.S. Navy Reserve Lieutenant Commander Ben S. Sorensen specializing in Intelligence at SOUTHCOM, who also serves as a City Commissioner for Fort Lauderdale.
Sorensen was selected as an officer in the U.S. Navy Reserve in February of 2008 and is an Information Warfare Officer. In April of 2008, he reported to Naval Air Station Jacksonville for Naval Intelligence Officer Basic Course (NIOBC) Phase I.
He graduated from NIOBC Phase I in September 2008. That same month, he reported to and graduated from the Direct Commission Officer (DCO) Indoctrination Course at Officer Training Command Newport. Sorensen then graduated from NIOBC Phase II at the Fleet Intelligence Training Center.
He completed all the Naval Intelligence Officer Basic Professional Qualification Program requirements and was awarded the Intelligence Officer Basic Additional Qualification Designation.
In 2010, Sorensen was named NR JOICSOUTH 0174 Junior Officer of the Year. In 2011, he was accepted to the Defense Intelligence Agency’s National Intelligence University for a two-year Master of Science of Strategic Intelligence program and graduated in 2013.
He served in a Navy Reserve unit at the Pentagon from 2013 to 2018, where he worked for the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Sorensen is currently a Department Head for a Navy Reserve unit at U.S. Southern Command. His personal awards include the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.
Sorensen has earned six degrees: a Master of Science of Strategic Intelligence from the National Intelligence University, a Doctor of Ministry from Amridge University, a Master of Divinity from Amridge University, a Juris Doctor from Georgetown University Law Center, a Master of Arts of Leadership and Liberal Studies from Duquesne University, and a Bachelor of Arts from Emory University.
While at Georgetown Law, Sorensen studied International Trade Law under current United States Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts.
He is married to Anna Sorensen, who works at the NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale, and they are proud parents of Alexandra and Louise.
Chantal Deshaies will sing the National Anthem, and the Presentation of Colors will be by the Tamarac Fire Rescue Honor Guard.
Held on Monday, May 31st, at 10:30 am. Shake the hands of our heroes who served our country at Veterans Memorial Park located at 7825 Southgate Boulevard. Refreshments served afterward.
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