remembering 9/11

Transcription

remembering 9/11

1775
The Journal of the Adjutant General’s Corps Regimental Association
May 2002
REMEMBERING 9/11
LEST WE FORGET
1775
The official publication of the Adjutant General’s
Corps Regimental Association
The Adjutant General’s Corps Regimental Association
Chief of the Corps, Colonel Mike Molosso
Association Officers
President, Colonel Mike Molosso
Regimental Sergeant Major, Command Sergeant Major Michael Armstead
Senior VP, Colonel Paul Proffitt
VP, Awards, Chief Warrant Officer 5 David Ratliff
VP, Community & Corporate Affairs, Colonel (Ret.) Frank C. Foster, Jr.
VP, Plans and Programs, Lieutenant Colonel Judy Boyd
VP, History, Captain Jeb S. Zoller
VP, Publications, Captain Alisha Sanders
VP, Membership, Staff Sergeant Robyn Highbarger
VP, Sales and Marketing, Sergeant First Class Lawrence Korn
Treasurer, Dr. James L. Ard
Adjutant, Captain Hope Colon
Secretary, First Sergeant Vincent Collins
Information Technology Consultant, Master Sergeant Philips B. Johnson
Honorary Officers
Honorary Colonel, Major General (Ret.) Ronald E. Brooks
Honorary Warrant Officer Chief Warrant Officer 5 (Ret.) Arbie McInnis
Honorary Sergeant Major, Command Sergeant Major (Ret.) Carl E. Bowen
Printing services provided by American Printing
On The Cover
During a September 12th visit to the Pentagon by President Bush, soldiers of the 3d US Infantry (The Old Guard), unveiled this flag, donated
by The US Army Band at Fort Myer, Virginia, and draped it over the damaged Pentagon.
See more on the flag on page 19.
1775, The Journal of the
Adjutant General’s Corps Regimental
Association, is published by the
Adjutant General’s Corps Regimental
Association, a non-profit organization headquartered at Fort Jackson,
South Carolina, and is devoted to the
advancement and professionalism of
the members of the Adjutant
General’s Corps Regiment. Articles
appearing in the journal do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the
officers and members of the
Regimental Association. Articles
submitted by members or civilian
employees of the U.S. military services are expressions of personal opinion, unless otherwise stated, and
should not be interpreted as reflecting the official opinion of the
Department of Defense.
1775 is published in January, May,
and September. Articles for submission are invited and should be sent to
1775, PO Box 10026, Fort Jackson,
SC 29207, or magazine@agregiment.com. Submissions are due the
10th of the month prior to publication. The editor reserves the right to
reject any articles and to modify articles for clarity or space limitations.
Authorizations for reprint of 1775
articles may be sent to the same
addresses. The editor and publisher
of 1775 invite the submission of
photographs and illustrations to
accompany submitted articles.
Regimental Rumblings from the Chief
Greetings from your Schoolhouse. For
some reason this has been the toughest edition of the "Rumblings" I've had to write.
Must have stopped and started over a half
dozen times. At some point, I'm sure our
esteemed 1775 Editor, CPT Alisha Sanders,
wondered whether I'd ever get it done.
Well, for better or worse, here it is.
To prepare for this, I took some time and
reviewed our community's traffic and many
of the news accounts from last fall following 9-11. The many memorial ceremonies,
the celebrations of life, the funerals, the
pictures of family and community grief and
the devastation from the Pentagon and New
York brought back to the surface the old
feelings of frustration, anger, helplessness,
and loss. Worst of all, however, was the
lack of closure. The good news is the passing of time also gives us accounts and visuals of the many heroes, military and civilian, young and old, who have stepped up to
the plate and kept our communities moving
forward, renewed in the belief that in spite
of the loss of our many comrades and citizens, we have endured. It demonstrates,
beyond a doubt, that the greatest testimony
to their memory is moving forward with a
renewed commitment to serving our Army,
its soldiers, civilians, families and our
Nation. It is the celebration of life and the
"getting on with it" that must occur. It's
what Tim Maude, Larry Strickland
and all our comrades would want. Its what
they all expect!
That being said, the question still in my
mind, is: "Why is writing this still so
tough? Why can't I just do it?" Could it be
that simply not enough time has passed, the
fear it won't ever be good enough for these
great Americans whose memory I treasure
so deeply or is it that I just don't get it?
Then again, it might be the memory of my
final day with LTG Maude last June at the
Fort Jackson Golf Club when he "whipped
me like a dog" on the course and purposely
waited for a crowd to gather for at least 20
minutes in the lunch room so he could
"properly" request his latest winnings with
that victorious smile that those who knew
him best can still picture today. You see,
tough competition, no substitute for victory, and good timing were always key fac-
tors with M3. Maybe its when I seek advice
from my CSM or other senior NCOs and
the memory of the one-on-one sessions and
the great advice and counsel SGM Larry
Strickland always willingly provided me.
Then again, it may be the chance picture I
saw recently of an award ceremony we
held in Sustainment and Development
Branch for Ms. Lisa Young, a casualty of
9-11. I came across it in my attic a couple
of weeks ago while looking for something
completely unrelated. Lisa was my
Secretary for over 2 years when I served in
DCSPER. It was tough putting it back
down. Then there's the mug in my office
given to me for being a guest speaker at a
'92 AG Advanced Course Dining In. That
class's motto was "Write, Fight and Party
all Night!" It was a tremendous event, after
which I spent the entire night out "howling" in the "finest" spots of Indianapolis,
testing the veracity of that motto with many
of that class and, by chance, an up-andcoming great AG captain on the School
Cadre by the name of Kip Taylor. Then I
think about "Eye on America" and the
piece that had Kip playing on the beach
with his kids just before September. Not
unlike what I did with mine in July. Why is
it still so hard? I guess the answer is all of
the above, and that's enough reason, but
down deep there's more. It is also the need
to try and "make it right", to properly honor
every one of their memories, and a feeling
we're just not yet there.
I suspect many of you still labor with some
of these same kinds of thoughts and feelings, some much worse than I, being even
closer to it, or worst of all, directly part of
it. In rare quiet moments when there is
actually time to think, I tell myself it is
time to somehow let the worst of it go. I
know it's what our fallen leader and comrades would want. I also believe, however,
that focusing on preserving the best of what
they left us is extremely important and letting go may somehow impede that.
Whether it is emulating their values, working to achieve their vision, or simply passing on their leadership philosophy, style
and legacy for future generations to appreciate, it is an obligation we cannot ignore.
None of us can bring our comrades back,
Colonel Michael R. Molosso
but we can continue to make them proud
through a renewed commitment to achieve
our community's goals. For me, that's
where I'm at today. I have a burning
resolve for as long as I'm around to continue the fight and help our community follow
the path laid out pre-911. We must keep it
on course to achieve our Transformation
Vision, a vision that was and remains the
best and most comprehensive I've seen in
my career. The simple fact, however, is
only unity of effort will solve the many
challenges these changes portend. Only we,
as a community, can make it happen.
Inside this edition, we have tried to capture
what you remember and want remembered
about 9-11, its aftermath and the many
things our community has done and continues to do to honor its casualties and survivors, and to support our Nation's effort to
recover from our losses and defeat the
scourge of international terrorism. It is a
celebration of life, both of those we lost
and those who carry on in their memory. It
is a tribute and a rallying point for we must
never forget our fallen comrades or the circumstances that caused their deaths. We
should not and cannot remain wedded to
the past, however, by retaining the best of
it we can certainly use it as a spring board
to the future.
I am confident that some day when I scroll
through my personal e-mail address book
May 2002
1775
1
and come across the names of Maude and
Taylor which remain in there today (principally because I still can't bring myself to
delete them), I'll be able to say, "Mission
accomplished, guys!" Until then, closure
will remain an elusive thing to attain. Even
when that day arrives, I am equally confident that every time I see a the table dedicated to "fallen comrades" at any event, it
will have in its chair, arguably, the greatest
AG this Corps has produced in 226 years
representing an entire group of heroes that
made the ultimate sacrifice in the defense
of freedom. I will never consider that a burden. On the contrary, it will be a source of
inspiration and pride as well as a lifelong
reminder of what a privilege it was to share
time with such great Americans as these,
and how, in the face of such tragedy, those
that remain must go on committed to make
what they died for even better.
My eternal thanks to everyone who contributed their time, thoughts and inner feelings to this edition. Our intent was to provide the community something that would
be thought provoking, special and a keepsake for every soldier, civilian, family
member or friend touched by this event.
From my vantage point, your efforts have
made that vision a reality. I sincerely hope
you enjoy this edition for it has been truly
inspired and paid for by the sacrifice of our
community's dearest blood.
God bless all of you, your families, the
families of our casualties, our Army, the
United States of America and all our service members and their families who at this
moment serve in harm's way.
Defend and Serve!
- COL Mike Molosso
Dedication Honors Fallen Leader
CAMP CASEY, Korea (Army News Service, March 11, 2002) -- Six months after terrorists crashed a jetliner into the Pentagon, the 2nd Infantry Division dedicated the Lt. Gen.
Timothy J. Maude Soldier Support Center in tribute to the fallen warrior.
Lt. Gen. Timothy J. Maude, the Army's Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel,
was killed in the line of duty Sept. 11 when terrorists crashed a hijacked commercial airliner into the Pentagon. Maude was the highest-ranking soldier killed in the attack.
The center, named after Maude, houses the 509th Personnel Service and 177th Finance
battalions, the division Adjutant General printing and publications office.
Maude served as the 2nd ID adjutant general and assistant chief of staff for Personnel,
(G-1), 1986-1987.
"He had a passion, a passion for taking care of soldiers," said Teri Maude, widow of
the Army's former top personnel officer. "That was his sole purpose in the Army."
That mission was inscribed upon his tombstone, she said. Mrs. Maude and her daughters, Karen and Kathi, established a scholarship fund for soldiers in his name.
"He believed that taking care of soldiers was the greatest purpose in the Army that you
can have," she said. "Taking care of soldiers is a profession and the noblest calling... making sure they were ready to fight and defend this nation."
"We are here today to remember a soldier who was taken from the Army's ranks and a
fellow warrior who was taken from our midst," said Maj. Gen. Russel Honoré, 2nd ID
commanding general.
Maude was not the type of hero who earned his honors the easy way, Honoré said. An
everyday hero, Maude's stature can be measured by his service to his country, to fellow
soldiers and to the family he loved, he said.
"The Second Infantry Division is honored to officially mark with this ceremony the
naming of this building in memory of a soldier whose life's work was taking care of soldiers," Honoré said.
Construction of the $4.5 million Maude Soldier Support Center began in 1998 as a
replacement for a Quonset hut structure damaged by floods in 1998. Elements of the
509th PSB moved into the new facility in August 2001.
Maude's 34-years of service began when he enlisted in 1966. He was commissioned
from Infantry Officer Candidate School in 1967. His two company command tours included the Heidelberg Regional Personnel Center, Germany; and Headquarters and
Headquarters Company, Adjutant General School. He also served as commander, 1st
Battalion, Troop Brigade, Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indiana; and commander, U.S. Army
Enlisted Records and Evaluation Center, also at Fort Benjamin Harrison. His staff assignments included service with the 199th Light Infantry Brigade in Vietnam; assistant executive officer, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel; chief of staff, 8th PERSCOM; the adjutant general, and assistant chief of staff, G-1, 2nd ID, Camp Casey,
Korea.
After his promotion to brigadier general, Maude served as the personnel officer, J-1,
Headquarters, U.S. European command, Enlisted Personnel Management Directorate, U.S.
Total Army Personnel Command; and deputy chief of staff for Personnel, U.S. Army
Europe.
He assumed duties as the Army's chief personnel officer in August 2000.
"May this building that now bears his name forever inspire and remind those who walk
its halls that this is a place where soldiers needs are attended to," Honoré said. "May all
who enter these doors during their service here on Freedom's Frontier be reminded that
freedom isn't free."
Editor's note: Master Sgt. Dave Melancon is the noncommissioned-officer-in-charge of the
2nd Infantry Division Public Affairs Office.
2
1775
www.agregiment.com
Notes from the Regimental CSM
is really going on behind the scenes, and
dispel some of those myths. I continue to
talk membership in the regiment to our
soldiers. This magazine alone is an
invaluable source of information. I solicit
your help in getting this news out and
helping keep them informed.
As you know, this issue is being dedicated to our fallen comrades who gave the
ultimate sacrifice.
"Greater love hath no man than this,
that a man lay down his life for a friend" John 15:13, KJV.
This is the highest measure of love:
when a person gives their life, nothing is
held back; they give all they have and are.
Command Sergeant Major
Michael Armstead
Greetings to you all.
Time really flies when you are having
fun taking care of soldiers. Since our last
issue I have moved from the low crawl to
the high crawl and now to the rush. I've
had a chance to visit several commands
from the AG soldiers at Fort Lee, the
Sergeants Major Academy for proponent
day where we exchanged valuable comments and concerns. The commandant
and I had a chance to visit our soldiers
assign to 1st PERSCOM to include the
38th, 55th, 90th, 510th PSBs, and the 10th
SSB from Fort Drum in Kosovo. In addition to that we had a quick stop at V
Corps headquarters. We did all of this in
six days. I can tell you our soldiers are
doing great. This is indicative of outstanding leadership. Leaders like CSM
Dave Newman from 1st PERSCOM who
has a passion for soldiers that's indescribable. 1SG Walker from the 10th SSB,
Fort Drum, in Kosovo is doing a fantastic
job and will soon become our BNCOC
1SG here at the NCO Academy on Fort
Jackson. The list of the great leaders over
there goes on and on. I will come back to
my comments above in detail in our next
issue. It's important that we get out and
let the soldiers know whom we are, what
When the ties of friendship and camaraderie are abruptly severed, faith and
strength lighten the load of our pain.
Grief can be the greatest of teachers,
allowing us to have more compassion for
our fellow man. Death rekindles in us the
very essence and importance of life sometimes left behind in our youth.
We were blessed to have had LTG
Maude, SGM Strickland, SGM Ivory and
many others touch us and be part of our
lives.
I am sure the families would appreciate knowing how much we miss their
loved ones. Take a moment today to
reflect on what is important in your life.
To say we were wronged by so-and-so, or
this person has more than I do, is trivial
compared to the pain of loss. While we
cannot quickly overcome the grief we feel,
perhaps we can learn to cherish our life a
little more every day.
Buildings will go back up, the economy will recover, but there are some losses
that are irreplaceable. During the memorial here at Fort Jackson I made the following comments about LTG Maude and
SGM Strickland who I've known for many
years:
This is a difficult moment for us as
we pause to reflect on LTG Maude's
death. At such times we are often at a loss
for words to express the value of someone's life, particularly someone who has
served with such a capable hand and committed heart.
I knew LTG Maude as an outstanding
officer. His achievements are recorded on
the walls of our personnel community-his
legacy of technical expertise, integrity,
frankness about and courage for a cause
he believed in, and a value system that
cannot be denigrated. He was a man we
will not forget. Our collective memories
will continue to hold him in high regard.
Pause with me now and, in your own
way, reflect on what traits we need to
emulate and what tasks remain for us to
accomplish here as a group.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Rather than our own death, it is the
death of a friend that hurts us. But it's not
of death that I want to talk today. While
good men die, their contributions do not. I
have chosen to talk about living and giving.
In one word, SGM Larry Strickland
was a man who gave.
He gave us encouragement. He had a
way of putting things in perspective that
made the situation bearable, if not actually
beneficial. Someone has said that a good
way to judge a man is to see which he
would take if given a choice-a light load
or a strong back. Through no choice of his
own, Larry's situation required a strong
back.
He gave us time. I'm talking about
quality time.
Yes, Larry gave us encouragement
and time. Only the time is gone. The
encouragement will remain.
Adlai Stevenson once commented
about a man and his contribution: "It is
not the years in a life that counts; it's the
life in the years." Larry lived. We will
miss him.
May the Lord continually, richly,
bless you.
- CSM Michael L. Armstead
May 2002
1775
3
The DCSPER
LTG Timothy Maude was a great
American and a distinguished member of
the Adjutant General Corps. He led our
Corps during a time when the Army was
undergoing significant change. His vision
for the Army and our Corps will impact us
for many years to come.
Tim completed OCS in 1967 and was commissioned a 2LT in the Adjutant General
Corps. One of his first assignments would
take him to Vietnam where he served as a
postal officer, making sure our soldiers
received their mail from home in a timely
fashion. This was the start of a career that
would span 35 years in the Adjutant
General Corps - taking care of soldiers and
their families. Tim would go on to have
over 20 duty assignments - going in rank
from private to a 3-star general.
talk about his upcoming visit to
Indianapolis. He was in a meeting; he
called me back at my hotel at about 6:05
p.m. I said, "Why are you working so
late?" He laughed and said, "It is not late
here." We talked about how he would help
us on the new Commissary and PX project
at Fort Benjamin Harrison and his plan to
be our speaker at the Memorial Day service
next May during the Indianapolis 500. He
was also scheduled to speak at the
Indianapolis 500 Race and ride in the
Indianapolis 500 parade. Tim was especially pleased with this because Indianapolis
was his hometown and he had served five
tours at Fort Benjamin Harrison.
He was upbeat and cheerful, even though
he was finishing up a 12-hour day at work.
Tim Maude leaves a legacy of being a great
Tim Maaude waas one of the best things thaat evver
haappened to the Adjutaant Generaal Corps..
He held every key billet in the Adjutant
General Corps. That was important in taking care of soldiers. In all of these positions
he showed his total devotion to the Army
and love of soldiers and their families.
Tim was
instrumental in
my
appointment as
Honorary
Colonel
of the
Adjutant
General's
Corps
Regiment
and
always had time for me regardless of what
was going on. He loved the Adjutant
General Corps because he knew the important role the Corps played in taking care of
his beloved soldiers and their families.
On September 10, 2001, the day before that
plane slammed into the Pentagon, I was in
Washington and I called LTG Maude to
4
1775
Adjutant General Corps officer who took
care of soldiers, civilians, retirees and veterans.
Because of Tim Maude, our soldiers who
win fight the war on terrorism, will be better prepared and their families will be better supported. Clearly the strength of our
Army is tied directly to his outstanding
work.
Tim Maude was one of the best things that
ever happened to the Adjutant General
Corps. Tim's death has certainly left a huge
void in our Corps and our Army. We must
now regroup and continue our strong support of our soldiers and their families. That
is what LTG Timothy J. Maude would
want us to do. Defend and Serve.
“Lieutenant General Tim Maude’s influence will
continue to strengthen the Army’s readiness
and our nation’s defense of freedom and liberty. The strength of our nation and the Army is
tied directly to his successes. His love of soldiers and his devotion to the Army was deep
and genuine. Simply put, Lieutenant General
Maude loved soldiers; he loved the Army; he
loved this wonderful country.”
- Department of the Army message from
the Chief of Staff and Secretary of the Army
In continuing LTG Maude’s efforts to
“take care of soldiers”, the LTG Timothy J.
Maude Memorial Fund has been established to provide resources to soldiers to
assist them in their education. Donations
may be forwarded to:
Association of the United States Army
ATTN: The LTG Timothy J. Maude
Memorial Fund
2425 Wilson Boulevard
Arlington, VA 22201
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Tribute
by
Major General (Ret.)
Ronald E. Brooks.
www.agregiment.com
In Memory of
Lieutenant General Maude
May 10, 2001 dawned a beautiful spring
day in the Republic of Korea. I was in the
office very early that morning preparing
for a visit from the DCSPER of the Army,
Lieutenant General Timothy Maude.
As the Director of Theater Army
Replacement Operations (TARO) at 8th
PERSCOM, I had heard and used LTG
Maude's name much over the past year.
On behalf of first Colonel Sean Byrne and
then Colonel Eric Porter, we were working feverishly to have Eighth US Army
units designated as early deployer units
and filled to 100% of authorization by the
end of FY01. However, the Chief of Staff
of the Army’s Manning Initiative was
only one of many personnel issues that
had bubbled on the front burner for
General Thomas Schwartz, Commander in
Chief, US Forces Korea, and Lieutenant
General Daniel Zanini, Commanding
General, Eighth US Army. From ODP to
well-being; from compensation issues via
hardship duty pay to conditional promotions; from soldier extension incentives to
one-stop in/out processing to the no-show
problem; it would all become part of this
opportunity to tell the Korea story.
The story line was incorporated in a 99slide presentation assembled for his visit.
After all, just how many opportunities
would 8th PERSCOM have this year to
brief the architect and executor of the
CSA's manning guidance, a key enabler in
the Army's overall transformation effort? I
was in very early that morning to go over
those slides just 'one more time.' I had
used these slides to brief other high level
Army Staff visitors to Korea, but this
briefing was for LTG Maude and so I
poured over the material 'one more time.'
You see in my previous job at the AG
School I worked combat developments
and had the opportunity to brief LTG
Maude on several occasions. I knew him
by reputation and experience to be one
AG senior leader who really knew his
business. No, not just the big hand wave
over the small map level of detail. LTG
Maude was capable of taking that plunge,
a mile deep if need be, into the lowest
level of the process where most of us
resort to generalities, where he could still
talk specific tasks, conditions, and standards. Combine that knowledge with the
view from his Army Staff vantage point
and a career's worth of insight working
key Joint and Army personnel jobs at
every level, and you begin to see why I
was more than a bit nervous about the
upcoming encounter.
True, I worked these issues for two years
from the ground level up, yet I was still
not sure if I was ready to brief LTG
Maude. Well, time for the briefing came
and we dove in to the Korea personnel
story. On each slide LTG Maude listened
to our story line. I could tell he was processing the information and was right
there with us on every issue. When I finished each slide, he proceeded to cut right
to the very heart of the issue and provide
the rest of the story. He wanted to make
sure that all gathered around the table
understood how that same picture was
painted from his foxhole and how it all
related back to where the Army was headed and to the Army Chief of Staff's vision.
Even after 99 slides, LTG Maude was as
focused and insightful on the last slide as
he had been on the first.
At the end of the brief, I had said all I
started out to say and hit every key point,
yet something was still troubling me.
When LTG Maude shook my hand and
thanked me for my efforts the twinkle in
his eyes confirmed my inner thoughts
about what had just really happened in
that conference room. He had just provided each of us with an in-depth tutorial on
what the Chief of Staff of the Army was
trying to do and where he, LTG Maude,
was leading us, the personnel community,
in support of that effort. It was a subtle
masterful performance. We had all just
been to school, but the master communicator did not present any slides, and he
spoke without notes or hesitation, yet his
message was crystal clear and unmistakable. I remember leaving with the knowledge that he understood our Korea story
very well but that he also understood that
complex mosaic that makes up the entire
big "A" Army. I felt reassured that whatever LTG Maude could do to support
Korea he would do. I remember feeling
proud to be an AG soldier, supremely
confident in the knowledge that there
was absolutely no other officer in the
Army at this time that was as well prepared and equipped to serve as
DCSPER of an Army in transition as
LTG Maude.
As I made the walk that evening from
Camp Coiner to my quarters on South
Post, I also knew that from the bottom of
my AG soul I would treasure the coin he
placed in the palm of my hand that day
above all others.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Lieutenant Colonel Karl C. Thoma is the
Joint/Army Concepts and Doctrine Staff
Officer, DAA, US Army War College.
May 2002
1775
5
Maude the Man
by Lieutenant Colonel Ray A. Graham
Commander, 509th Personnel Services Battalion
While a young lieutenant attending training at the AG schoolhouse, I first met
LTG Maude (a colonel at the time) on the
racquetball courts of Fort Benjamin
Harrison. He was playing on a challenge
court, and simply introduced himself as
"Tim." I can remember thinking what a
great racquetball player he was for an old
man, and the prediction was realized as he
thoroughly trounced me in several games.
We talked very informally and casually,
and chatted about a variety of subjects. He
wasn't the least bit offended by this
young, forward lieutenant (but maybe a
bit amused). I was later mortified when I
found out who he was, and that I had been
making small talk with the Commander of
the Enlisted Records Center!
Many years fast forward, I also had the
honor of spending some time with LTG
Maude and Major Kip Taylor exactly four
months to the day before the Pentagon
attack. This was just one of his many visits to Korea, and this time he had come to
address a variety of personnel issues and
speak at our Regimental Ball. Heading to
a golf outing at Songnam Golf Course
south of Seoul, we rode down together in
a protocol van. For about an hour's ride, it
was just LTG Maude, MAJ Kip Taylor,
COL Reuben Jones and me, and I imme-
6
1775
diately felt that same casual and personable Tim Maude from many years past at
Fort Benjamin Harrison. I realized that his
successes and prominence as the Army’s
senior personnel leader hadn’t changed
the man inside a single bit. During casual
conversation, he mentioned that he was
still in the process of finalizing his
remarks for the AG Regimental Ball that
night, and we spent quite some time
telling each other jokes that he might want
to use. Arriving at the golf game, he and
Colonel Jones linked up with LTG and
Mrs. Zanini, and I had the pleasure of
teaming up with Kip Taylor along with
LTG Zanini's aide, MAJ Lewis, and LTC
Doriot Mascarich, then Commander of the
516th PSB. I had known Kip only by reputation up until then, and meeting him, I
liked him instantly. His sense of humor,
competitive spirit, graciousness (especially in coaching Doriot!), and lively conversations made him the kind of guy you'd
always love to go out with for a round of
golf.
Also during this visit, I had the pleasure
of taking LTG Maude on a tour of our
new personnel
and finance center at Camp
Casey, which we
had named the
Warrior Support
Center (later to
become Maude
Hall). This building was built
with money
apportioned after
a flood a few
years prior,
which had
destroyed many
structures on
Camp Casey,
including several
personnel and finance buildings and billets. The building was just finished, and
we hadn't yet moved in. As I took him
through the building, the first comments
he made were about how much better this
facility would be able to take care of soldiers. He noted the quality of life
improvements for our soldiers, saying
they deserved to work in a nice facility,
and that the layout was well designed to
provide good customer service. We toured
the facility, as well as our old battalion
headquarters next door (in a series of connected Quonset huts), which was pending
demolition as soon as we moved into the
new building. When I showed him my
office, he reminded me that the same
room was his office when he was the 2d
Infantry Division Adjutant General.
It clearly brought back memories, and
although he regretted its destruction, he
saw it as a sign of progress and transformation. Shortly after his visit, the 509th
PSB and 177th Finance Battalion moved
into the Warrior Support Center, the old
headquarters was demolished, and where
it stood is now the south parking lot next
to the AG Theater.
Shortly following the September 11th
attack, MG Honore, Commander, 2d
Infantry Division, proposed we name our
new Warrior Support Center in honor of
the late LTG Maude. The 509th PSB took
the lead and submitted a memorialization
recommendation that summarized LTG
Maude's contributions to the Army as well
as his service as both the G1 and AG of
the 2d Infantry Division from 1985 to
1986. The installation held a
www.agregiment.com
Memorialization Board in November that
unanimously approved the recommendation. In planning for this event, much
coordination and preparation went into
getting the facility ready for the ceremony
and then planning the event itself. Major
preparation issues were the installation of
exterior signs, the preparation of the facility, the acquisition of Maude memorabilia, and the preparation of the ceremony
itself. As we spent the next few months
preparing for the ceremony, many interior
and exterior improvements were made to
get the building ready, including the
installation of large brass lettering on both
the building and a sign in the front of the
facility.
On 11 March 2002, exactly six months
after the Pentagon attack, the 2d Infantry
Division hosted a Memorialization
Ceremony befitting this great soldier.
GEN Schwartz, the Commander in Chief,
2ID ADC-M, and many other general
officers and prominent Korean civilians
attended as well. The Division honor
guard represented the soldiers of the 2d
Infantry Division, and 50 soldiers from
the 509th PSB held the state flags during
this ceremony. Mrs. Maude was our honored guest, attending at the invitation of
the 2d Infantry Division Commander.
During a 45-minute ceremony, the
Division honored him with a 21 gun
salute, solo renditions of "Wind Beneath
My Wings" and "God Bless the USA,"
and LTC Brenda Andrews and I had the
honor of sharing personal anecdotes of
"LTG Maude, the Man." Mrs. Maude also
provided a very inspiring message, as did
MG Honore. Following remarks, a portrait was unveiled that would be hung on
the wall in the lobby of Maude Hall.
Following the ceremony, a reception hosted by the 509th PSB was held in the
September 11th attack which will be on
permanent display. MG Honore presented Mrs. Maude with a "Points of Light"
plaque, and she again addressed the
crowd, talking about LTG Maude's passion for soldiers and his love of the Army.
. . . his successes and prominence as the Army’s senior personnel officer
US Forces Korea, LTG Zanini,
Commander of 8th US Army, MG
Honore, CG, 2d Infantry Division
(reviewing officer), all attended with
their spouses, and CSM Barry Wheeler,
Division CSM, was Commander of
Troops. MG Miller, USFK J3, BG Coker,
lobby of Maude Hall. The 2d Infantry
Division Museum was very supportive in
displays, photo support and setup. Mr.
Combs, the curator, also helped in the
assembly of a collage of letters sent in by
school children expressing support to the
military and condolences for the
The Army will miss his leadership greatly, but those of us who knew him will
miss him most of all.
Warriors First, Second to None!
May 2002
1775
7
A Widow Establishes the
Kip Taylor Memorial Fund
by Nancy Taylor
During the weeks following the death of her husband, LTC Kip
Taylor, at the Pentagon on September 11, Nancy Taylor established the Kip Taylor Memorial Fund to provide financial assistance to military couples in need of infertility treatment. Here is
her story on how the fund got started and what she hopes to
accomplish.
I was seven-and-a-half months pregnant with our second child
when I learned of the terrorist attack at the Pentagon on September
11th. In the days that followed, I received numerous inquiries on
where to send contributions on behalf of my husband, Kip Taylor.
I knew I wanted to honor Kip's memory in a special way and soon
realized that the child I carried and his older brother were Kip's
legacy and the result of in vitro fertilization. It quickly came
apparent that the best way to honor Kip's memory would be to
establish a special fund that would financially assist military couples requiring specialized treatment for infertility.
Kip and I were incredibly fortunate to be able to easily access the
Reproductive Science Center of Walter Reed Army Medical
Center in Washington, DC-one of only two military treatment
facilities world wide that offer specialized infertility procedures,
including intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), which is a technique whereby one sperm is injected directly into one egg. ICSI
enabled Kip and I to have Dean (26 months) and Luke (4 months).
The other military treatment facility offering specialized infertility
procedures is Wilford Hall Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas.
However, Kip and I realized that couples stationed outside of the
Washington, DC area and overseas are confronted with logistical
challenges that can translate
into financial barriers to
receiving assistance.
Although the cost charged to
military couples receiving
IVF through Walter Reed
Army Medical Center's program is approximately one-third what it
would cost to seek similar services through a civilian clinic, the
additional out-of-pocket expense for travel, lodging, and food during the procedure can be prohibitively expensive for couples living off the income of
one active duty soldier/sailor,
thereby dashing their hopes
and dreams for a child or placing considerable financial burden on them.
My hope is to raise enough
money to sustain the fund for
several years. Although I am
in the process of defining criteria through which couples
would be eligible for assistance, I believe it will be for
enlisted service members and
Kip Taylor with son, Dean.
perhaps company grade officers, and will only cover travel, lodging and food, and not for the
procedure itself. I am not sure if it will be able to assist a couple
more than once, however, if enough money is raised, I will be able
to set more generous criteria.
On average, it takes three separate IVF cycles to be successful in
achieving one birth, thereby requiring more than one attempt.
Although the fund has received approximately $40,000 in donations, this will not last long considering the demand for assistance.
I would appreciate anyone interested in making a contribution to
make a check out to the TRUE Research Foundation c/o Kip
Taylor Memorial Fund; 8610 N. New Braunfels, Ste. 705; San
Antonio, TX 78217. Additional information is available at
www.kiptaylorfund.com.
From left, LTC Kip Taylor; Kip and wife Nancy; and Kip with friends Bob and Terri Campbell.
8
1775
www.agregiment.com
A Friend Remembers
Lieutenant Colonel Kip Taylor
by Major General (Ret.) Ronald E. Brooks
LTC Kip Taylor was the finest Army
officer I have known in my 40-year association with the US Army and he was my
best friend. I first met Kip at Fort Benjamin
Harrison in Indiana. He was an instructor in
the Adjutant General School. Kip became
my aide in 1993 and for the next two years
we were together almost constantly. Kip
did everything, he was my go to guy. He
was my Aide, Speechwriter and Advisor especially on soldier issues. He knew our
soldiers and how to train them and take
care of them. In truth, it was like having an
experienced colonel as my aide.
Kip was an outstanding speechwriter.
We used to joke about how a boy from
Michigan could write speeches for a
Tennessee hillbilly General.
Kip was also great fun to be around.
Two of my most enjoyable years in the
Army occurred while working with him.
We worked hard and got a lot done but we
took time to get in a little R&R. In addition
to our official travel we went on several
personal trips together. Sometimes it was
just Kip and I and at other times it included
my wife and sons. On one occasion we
drove 900 hundred miles one way to fish in
Louisiana for a couple of days. On our way
back, Kip was driving my truck with my
20-ft. Ranger Bass Boat in tow.
Somewhere in Arkansas - while I was
sleeping - Kip grabbed my arm and said,
"Sir, I believe the truck is on fire." There
was smoke everywhere. We had to pull
over and when we opened the hood smoke
bellowed out. Seems that Kip's foot was a
little heavy and he overheated the transmission.
We turkey hunted in Tennessee at my
brothers mountain place several times. On
our first trip we arrived in Tennessee late in
the evening and stopped at a little old country store to buy our hunting licenses. The
guy behind the counter said, "What do you
fellers want?" Kip almost laughed out loud
because he was having trouble understanding what the man was saying. I said "Kip,
stop talking. The guy's going to find out
you're a Yankee and we will both be in
trouble." Basically, I had to interpret for
him during the entire trip.
We hunted deer all over Indiana. It was
a standing joke at Fort Benjamin Harrison
that to be my aide you had to be able to
drag a big buck out of the woods. Kip
could certainly do that and we spent many
enjoyable days together deer hunting.
Kip became friends with my entire family, my wife, and my three sons and my
brothers in Tennessee. He even got to
where he understood the Tennessee language a little.
In one of my last discussions with Kip
we talked about getting together and going
to visit with my brother Dan. He has a
place in the mountains of East Tennessee
and we wanted to do some fishing. Kip was
an expert fisherman. He always caught
more fish than I did and he'd never let me
forget it.
I remember well when it came time for
Kip to rotate out of his job as my Aide. I
hated to see him go but I knew he needed
to move on for career development. Kip
left Fort Benjamin Harrison in 1994 and I
retired from the Army in 1995, but we
stayed in contact. When I needed help on
some military issues, I always went to Kip.
He never failed to help. He had wisdom far
beyond his years and experiences. You
could depend on him to be right every time.
He was my best helper when it came to
doing my job as the honorary Colonel of
the Adjutant General's Corps Regiment. He
was a totally dedicated Adjutant General
Corps officer who was quick to step forward to support the regiment and our soldiers.
I was extremely happy when Kip went
to work for my friend, LTG Timothy
Maude. Tim Maude and I talked often
about just how good Kip Taylor was. On
Monday night, September 10, I was in
Washington, DC, and talked with LTG
Maude by telephone. I had asked about
Kip. Tim said that Kip had been on vacation was doing just great. We talked a little
about what Tim had planned for Kip in the
future. I asked LTG Maude to let Kip know
that I would call him in a couple of days.
I take some comfort in knowing that
Kip was happy with the way things were
going. He had a great job and a great boss.
He had a great wife in Nancy. He was so
proud of his son Dean, whom he talked to
me about often. And he was looking forward to the birth of his second child. (Luke
was born about one month after the
tragedy).
Kip Taylor was a great soldier who left
a legacy of good will with everyone he
touched. He touched my whole family. He
touched the Adjutant General's Corps. As
my wife said so often, Kip was very special. He will not be forgotten.
Remembering Greatness
by Colonel Ruth Collins
US Army War College
Many of you know I had started a quiet but
determined campaign a few years ago to
"nominate" Kip Taylor as Chief of Staff of
the Army. I know, you say, that's ridiculous because he was only a field grade officer and an AG at that. But if you knew
Kip, don't you agree that he had all the
qualities we need in a strategic leader?!
Kip was a wise man well ahead of his
years. He could see through a situation
better than most senior leaders today and
get right to the issue. He understood
vision, communication, systems, innovation, and on and on. And he actually had a
no-kidding sense of humor and he was
loyal and kind and all those other qualities
we admire. Kip somehow understood balance and made us each better for knowing
him. In his presence, advice, and counsel,
we saw greatness.
May 2002
1775
9
SGM Larry Strickland forwarded this to CSM Freddie Lash on 31 May 2001 with a
note: “Freddie, you asked for something from me for 1775 and here it is. Yours to
use as you see fit. Thanks.”
e
h
T dow
n
i
W
I was asked recently to prepare a piece
for 1775 reflecting over the past 30 years
and 28 days of active duty. What a daunting project, partly because age has overcome some of the more salient memories;
partly because this periodical has a page
limitation. Additionally, I am not sure this
needs to be just a reflection of the past. The
future, at least based on the glimpses I have
been able to grab from here, is exciting and
dynamic. So, I look at this in terms of a
window, look through the window and see
the future, look at the glass hard enough
and you see a reflection.
This all starts in 1969 with the 6255
USAR Dental Service Detachment in
Tacoma, Washington. As a student at the
University of Washington I needed some
extra cash (probably had nothing to do with
books) and one of my
ROTC friends had
joined this unit so I followed suit. Assignment:
Unit Clerk. Basic training and AIT at lovely
Fort Ord, CA. Must
have been lovely, look at it now. In May of
1972 I became disillusioned with school
and transferred to the RA. Processed
through Fort Leonard Wood for overseas
movement and much to my surprise the
orders read 228th AG (Postal) Company,
Frankfurt, Germany, instead of the rice
paddies. The 228th performed a dual function in those days as the base post office
for Europe and the processing point at
Guetleut Caserne for all soldiers arriving in
country (later changed to 21st and then
64th Replacement Battalion). First Sergeant
Ronald Carson was more than happy to
welcome a new company clerk and I was
young enough to think the idea of being in
Frankfurt was great. Guetleut was right
downtown and a good place to get in trouble; did not have to travel far. About a year
later a new base post office facility was finished and we were moved to a small
caserne in Offenbach. Life was good. SPC
Strickland was a pretty good learner and
1SG Carson was a good instructor. We
worked hard during the day, a lot of it dealing with soldiers working in the postal
facility who were redirecting mail to their
own rooms; stereos, TVs, radios, even a
fake Christmas tree in one case. These were
also the days of DA Form 1 preparation
with no errors, AB Dick hand crank reproduction machines and being serious about
Z'ing out paragraphs in regulations to post
the changes as they came out. The CO,
Major Francis Sherman, was pretty serious
about trying to make something out of the
organization and was able to leave
unscathed by the tumultuous times in the
mid-70s. As I look back and compare our
command climate to what was happening
in other places in Germany I am amazed at
how well we got along. Anyway, 1SG
Carson made sure that this young 71B clerk
typist took the 71F correspondence course,
got mail clerk time for record purposes and
got recorded as a 71H in time to make the
conversion to 75B. As I recall it was all
done legally and it was unit level personnel
1600, empty trash cans, sweep floor, etc.
Everyone called the DISCOM CSM "Gray
Fox". Had a huge desk he had made himself out of a 4x8 sheet of plywood that he
kept varnished. My first day of duty he
revarnished his desk and I put both hands
on it as I leaned across to see if there was
anything in his trash can. This was a tough
week.
Some of you will remember the earthshaking event of the early '70s, the introduction of SIDPERS. Most of our time was
spent with error reports and trying to
explain to the 1SG how we would fix
spending so much time with error reports.
Lots of "hands-on discipline" in these days.
I was lucky and did not hit the S--- list of
the 1SG and our Supply Sergeant, MSG
Karklus. What a duo these guys were. Hit
the reenlistment window in late '74 and
took the opportunity to head back to
Deutschland. LTC Francis Sherman was
still there but now at MILPERCENEUR
and I wrote him a letter hoping that we
would be able to get together for a beer. He
got the letter and got me assigned to his
office (it worked). Special Actions Branch
was great and Germany had not changed
much. We put in plenty of hours but
lunchtime was volleyball and after work
we all stopped at the club across the street
from Tompkins Barracks. We handled Line
of Duty (a civilian by the name of Terri
Maude married to CPT Timothy Maude),
Casualty Reporting (SFC Ken Holley),
Separations (Mr. Joe Devaney),
Retirements, Overseas separations (SGT
Olson) and me with 209 cases (soldiers in
civilian confinement for a loooong time)
My reflection in the window suddenly cleaars awaay
10
1775
and I look out . . .
management and professional development.
PCS for SP5 Strickland to Fort Lewis in
1974 came with mixed feelings about leaving a time and place that was certainly different than today.
I reported in to my 1SG at the 9th AG
Company, Fort Lewis, WA, and the pipesmoking Joe Himelick told me I was staying right there, report to SFC Sonny Perrin
and between SPC Broadfoot, SPC
Cartwright and me we were to keep things
running smoothly. Third week there I was
put on DISCOM orderly duty. Report at
and officer involuntary separations. LTC
Sherman left and was replaced by MAJ
Dave Wilson, a wonderful human with a
very artistic wife, lots of money, a new
Mercedes and authorized travel when he
left back to CONUS on the QE2. We were
amazed. MSG Roberto Roman, our
NCOIC, did a masterful job of managing
his people. My records were to reflect duty
as both a 75C2 and a 75E4 after promotion
to SSG in '76 and in Feb '78 I PCSd to be
the 75Z5 Personnel Actions NCO for the
USA Corps of Engineers.
www.agregiment.com
I was awestruck on the first day of
duty in the Nation's Capitol as I reported in
to the Forrestal Building on Independence
Avenue across the street from the
Smithsonian Institute. I do not know who
was picking these jobs for me! Military
Personnel Division was run by LTC Gene
Brisack, John Alley was the powerful civilian deputy, and I had two great specialists
who kept me afloat with their knowledge
of how the Army in the Corps ran. By the
time we moved to the Pulaski Building I
had things down pretty good, had become
used to carpooling into work with a group
of civilians who worked eight hour days
and learned that Army engineer officers
were authorized to wear cardigan sweaters
of assorted colors with their uniform (had
to unlearn this when I left). We managed
the SIDPERS for all military assigned to
the Corps of Engineers and inprocessed
them if they were being assigned overseas.
Never forget inprocessing Roy Rogers,
95B20, as he PCSd to Saudi. Glad I did a
good job; his brother was Kenny Rogers
and a month later I was backstage with him
at a concert in DC. Toiled hours over a key
punch machine knocking out IBM cards
that kept the personnel roster data for our
assigned population. Seems very much like
today with SIDPERS III and offline
reports. What is it about Army systems that
never seem to capture all of the data the
commander wants? In early '82 I came
down on assignment instructions for
Germany again. Not sure what it was about
this European cycle I was in. An old friend
of mine by this time, MSG Ken Holley,
was the NCOIC of Readiness, Analysis and
Distribution Division (RADD). Short letter
about having a beer together and, you
guessed it, I was on AI to 1st PERSCOM,
RADD. Guess it did not hurt that Joe
Himelick was the 1st PERSCOM CSM.
Most of what we did was guess work after
the first try. It was a valuable lesson however in managing correspondence and
RADD was pretty good. CW4 Lanny Hall
did all he could to take care of us all, he
was a good pinochle player and a great
friend. The '84 MSG list had my name on
it and I was allowed to look for a 1SG job.
There were four available at the time and I
picked the 379th PSC. Today we know it
as a detachment of the 510th PSB, the
CSM of which in 94/95 would be one
Debra Townsend or Debra Strickland after
marriage in 1995. As any of you who are
or were first sergeants know, this was
probably the best time of my career. It was
just pure fun taking care of the soldiers in
the unit and, even though we were part of a
pretty big drug bust in late '86, we did a
good job taking care of the Heidelberg
community. In '86 I was selected to attend
USASMA and reported to Class 30 in Jul
'87.
I replaced Ken as the NCOIC RADD
and inherited a LTC who enjoyed his lunch
hour at local gasthauses too much. The
office seemed to run okay with his morning
efforts but the afternoons were hell.
Fortunately we had a benevolent EPMD
Director at the time, COL Gerald Early. He
taught me the value of making sure correspondence coming to him was perfect in all
ways. No mistakes in grammar, punctuation, or content and he would sign it.
Misplace a comma and you would get it
back over and over and over again. COL
Early used a fine point black felt pen and
could get fifty words in a one inch margin.
Six months in Assignment Procedures
Branch under Shirley Hodge's tutelage and
in Jul '88 they move me to be the Engineer
Branch SGM. In Jul '89 I start drawing E9
pay and my first reward is a TDY detail to
the NCO Leader Development Task Force
which will convene at USASMA. As a task
force member my area of responsibility for
briefing purposes is Washington, DC, so I
end up spending a lot of time with SGM
Herb Schwab, DCSPER SGM, and SMA
Gates. Eighteen recommendations and five
months later I return to TAPA and am
moved to Signal Branch. There are civilian
Our guest speaker was SMA Bill
Gates. We were to spend a lot of time
together later. All classes have stars, so
being with guys like Rich Brolly, Rich
Efird, Charles Fitzpatrick, Jesse Laye, Jack
Kellogg, Phil Kiniery, Bill Rambo, and
Jack Rucynski was just the luck of the
draw. Good friends like Mike Goodrich,
John Bodnar and Art Lehmann made the
time go by quicker. Then in the November
timeframe two guys from TAPA show up,
Larry Harris and Joe Himelick. They talk
personnel to the class and then tell seven of
us that we are being assigned at graduation
to TAPA. You might guess that we were
addressed after that day in terms of a
movie featuring seven cowboys who save a
village. I am sure there are many people
who love El Paso but my first stop after
graduation day was Shreveport, LA. Texas
is a great big state!
employees in that branch whom I will
never forget. In Oct '90 Larry Harris asked
me if I would like to be put on the slate to
replace Herb Schwab. I agree and get it
only because Joe Adriance decides he does
not want the job. LTG Bill Reno (an
Engineer) is my boss and the fun begins.
So, it is now eleven years later and I
have had the honor to work for six
DCSPERs: LTG Bill Reno, LTG Tom
Carney, LTG Ted Stroup, LTG Frederick
Vollrath, LTG Dave Ohle and LTG
Timothy Maude. We have been thru Draw
Down, Build Down, CINCOS, CINCOS II,
Son of CINCOS, Don't Ask Don't Tell, tattoos, and are facing transformation. I have
seen the professionalism and dedication of
our civilian work force in warriors with
names like Martha Carden, Lois Stevens,
Vena Edwards, Don Weber and Frank
Watrous to name only a few. I have been
able to offer personnel advice to SMAs
Gates, Kidd, McKinney, Hall and Tilley. A
dream come true, and awesome responsibility, to insert myself into the formulation
end of personnel policy. So many people in
these 30 years who have taken time to
train, develop, mentor and assist me that
cannot be named My reflection in the
window suddenly clears away and I look
out excited about the transition that retirement offers. I am also sorry, however, that
the personnel transformation, being so ably
guided by LTG Maude, MG Dueitt, COL
Mulcahy and others will be in my Army
Times instead of around my desk. It is a
great future, it is and always has been a
great Army. I have loved every minute of it
and every one of you. Thanks for the memories.
May 2002
1775
11
Today's Army Wants To Join You
by SGM (Ret.) Gregory A. Drake, Military Personnel Management Specialist
Plans, Procedures and Operations Branch, Operations Management Division
Enlisted Personnel Management Directorate, US Total Army Personnel Command
When Larry Strickland and I joined the
United States Army 30 years ago, the world
was a very different place. There were two
super powers (the United States and the
Union of Soviet Socialist Republics), held
in check by the principle of mutually
assured destruction; how appropriate that
the acronym for this was MAD. America's
participation in the Vietnam War was ending, the draft was all but over, and the
Army was becoming an all-volunteer force.
Those of us who volunteered for military
service felt that we were patriots, driven by
the desire to serve our country, see the
world, and maybe even go to college once
our three-year enlistment was up. Little did
we know that, almost three decades later,
we would still be serving in what was then
affectionately referred to as "The Big
Green Machine."
The year is 1972, and Richard M. Nixon is
the commander-in-chief. The Secretary of
the Army is Robert F. Froehlke and
General Creighton W. Abrams is the Army
Chief of Staff. Silas L. Copeland is the
Sergeant Major of the Army, only the third
soldier to hold this position. Lieutenant
General Walter Kerwin is the Deputy Chief
of Staff for Personnel. [Contrary to popular
belief, Larry Strickland did not work for
him!] Major General Verne L. Bowers has
been The Adjutant General for a year now,
having succeeded MG Kenneth Wickham
on April 1st of last year, who had held that
position since 1966. Then-Lieutenant
Colonel (now retired Major General )
William H. Gourley was the AG of the 2d
Infantry Division in Korea.
Our Army consists of five Corps comprising 28 active divisions, with over one million soldiers on active duty. There are two
types of active duty soldier: Army of the
United States (draftees) and Regular Army
(enlistees). The U.S. Army Infantry
Center's participation in Project VOLAR
(also referred to as The Benning
Experiment) ends in June, paving the way
for the all-volunteer Army. Although the
authority for the draft expired the year
before, it would be extended several times
12
1775
throughout this year.
Both the Enlisted and Officer Personnel
Management Directorates (EPMD and
OPMD) had been created 10 years before,
relieving The Adjutant General and the
DCSPER of day-to-day operational functions. These offices are housed at
MILPERCEN (later to be named the U.S.
Total Army Personnel Agency and then
PERSCOM) in Alexandria, Virginia.
During this same Army reorganization,
recruiting, examining, induction and processing of new accessions had been duties
of the AG Corps; the U.S. Army Recruiting
Command (USAREC) was now 8 years old
and running all Armed Forces Entrance and
Examination Stations (AFEES). Our AG
Corps consists of military occupational specialties 71B, 71L, 71H, and 00J (club manager). The Official Military Personnel File
(OMPF) is still on paper, the DA Form 20;
the changeover to microfiche will not occur
for another 3 years. In June, the Army
begins fielding the Standard Installation
and Division Personnel System (SIDPERS), but orderly room clerks everywhere
continue to process DA Form 1, the
Morning Report, for several years. The
Department of Defense Advanced Research
Projects Agency network (ARPAnet) goes
on-line, linking defense-related researchers
and contractors. Although the AG schoolhouse is located at Fort Benjamin Harrison,
Indiana, many attend advanced individual
training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri.
The Womens' Army Corps (WAC) is 30
years old and, for the first time, women
gain eligibility to participate in the Reserve
Officers' Training Corps (ROTC). The last
class of the WAC NCO Leadership Course
(number X) graduates on May 17th.
On August 11th, the 1st Cavalry Division
(with everyone wearing their black
Stetsons) cases their colors and departs
Vietnam from Than Son Hut airport, the
last major ground force to do so. The
remaining elements of the 101st Airborne
Division will follow suit just before
Christmas. The Americal Division (made
infamous by the My Lai massacre of 1968)
had cased their colors and disbanded the
year before; during 4 years in Vietnam,
nine members of the Division had been
awarded the Medal of Honor. This first
major drawdown is part of the
"Vietnamization" effort that will see the
conversion of all four Army Corps into
Military Regions I, II, III and IV in South
Vietnam. At its peak (April 30th, 1969),
American forces numbered 543,400 troops
in theater, 165,000 of which were ground
combat soldiers. The Vietnam cease-fire
would be signed in Paris in January 1973,
ending both America's participation in the
war and conscription (the draft).
It isn't unusual to find "FTA" spray-painted
on the outside of the barracks, everyone
knows what "FIIGMO" means, and anyone
can tell you that "US ARMY" really means
"Uncle Sam Ain't Released Me Yet". This
same Army is riddled with drug problems
(a weekly, 100 percent urinalysis test is the
norm) and race relations issues. Everybody
will process out of the Army at Fort Dix,
New Jersey, and a pair of combat boots
hanging from a tree out in front of the battalion headquarters actually means something.
Drill instructors may use harsh language on
new recruits - and worse. Everyone goes to
chapel on Sunday, in class "A" dress uniform; not only are there no atheists in foxholes, there are none in the Sunday morning muster formation, either. Everyone
knows where both the mess hall and the
"motor hole" are. The most dreaded duties
are KP (kitchen police), DRO (dining room
orderly), and roving sentinel, better known
as guard duty. If you received a commander's coin during guard duty (where the
sharpest soldier was designated "super
numery"), you had to give that coin to the
First Sergeant to receive your four-day
pass. Basic pay for a Private/E-1 is $288 a
month. Breakfast in the mess hall is 15
cents, lunch and dinner 25 cents; there is no
weight control program, and you never see
anyone over 40 years old participating in
physical training. The physical fitness uniform was a white T-shirt, fatigue trousers,
www.agregiment.com
and boots. The annual physical fitness test
(with a maximum score of 500 points) consisted of five events, including the rundodge-and-jump, horizontal ladder, inverted crawl and one-mile run. Exercises
include the squat thrust, deep-knee bends,
and the duck walk. You perform dozens of
push-ups for every infraction, the worst of
which is addressing an NCO as "sir".
Many an NCO receives his stripes as a
result of the "shake-and-bake" schools,
where select soldiers in AIT receive accelerated training and promotion. "Blood
stripes" are handed out by the Command
Sergeant Major just outside the Old Man's
office, right after it is removed from another NCO's collar during Article 15 proceedings. There are SP5, SP6, and SP7 technicians. There are two types of E-7: PSG
(Platoon Sergeant) and SFC (Sergeant First
Class); Corporals are gods! The
Noncommissioned Officer Education
System (NCOES) was established only last
year. Select Regular Army PFC/E-3 from
AIT attend the basic course, while SSG and
PSG/SFC attend the advanced course.
There are plans for a "gentlemens' course"
at Fort Bliss, Texas, but the first class of
the US Army Sergeants Major Academy
will not graduate for another year. Many
AG Corps MOS have no entry-level
NCOES course, the only option being
attendance at one of eight NCO Academy
courses.
Everything is done with typewriters and
carbon paper, stencils and mimeograph
machines. Everything else is done on a DA
Form 2496, Disposition Form. There is an
almost endless series of paper changes
posted to all of our Army publications.
Every soldier's 201 file is maintained at the
battalion S-1 shop. Payday activities consist of serving as pay guard for the Class A
agent, counting your cash three times, and
then going down the table paying your
bills. The most dreaded event for any unit
(besides the daily muster and in-ranks uniform inspection) is the Annual General
Inspection. In your wallet, you carry your
military identification, a Code of Conduct
card, and a copy of your general orders.
NCOs read Sergeants' Business, but
nobody really reads PM (Preventive
Maintenance) magazine - we just want to
see Connie Rod in a tight sweater and short
skirt. Everyone is reading Soldiers magazine, which replaced the Army Digest the
year before. Although editorial content had
changed to focus on command information
for the entire Army audience, we were all
looking for the pinup of some GI's girlfriend on the back cover every month.
There is no Adjutant General Corps
Regimental Association, but the predecessor to 1775, The AG Journal, begins publication. A September article in the Journal
by then-Captain Larry Daly discusses
USARV's casualty and medical evacuation
division in South Vietnam.
Because there still is a USSR, the Berlin
Wall, Checkpoint Charlie, the Fulda Gap,
and the Cold War, we have an annual
REFORGER (Return of Forces to
Germany) exercise. Before every exercise,
we receive a SMLM (Soviet Military
Liaison Mission) card, a briefing on the
one-kilometer exclusion zone, and the latest
news on the RAF (Red Army Faction) and
the Baader-Meinhof gang in Germany.
There are two Corps in Germany, with four
Divisions and two Armored Cavalry
Regiments. Although some of our C-rations
are dated mid-1960s, the data plates on our
vehicles are often 10 years older than that!
On wheels, we are ferried around in M151
¼-ton jeeps, six-wheeled gamma goats, and
the deuce-and-a-half truck.
Although the M16A1 was adopted five
years earlier, some M14s from 1957 can
still be found in arms rooms! Every soldier
receives training with the M67 90mm antitank rifle (otherwise referred to as the
bazooka), the M72 light antitank weapon
(LAW), and the M79 "thunk" gun (a 40mm
grenade launcher). Your "battle rattle"
includes a steel pot with liner; the Kevlar
helmet won't be introduced for another six
years. The steel pot is used to dig with,
cook, wash-up in, and even sit on, and
nobody but Airborne soldiers ever bothers
with the chinstrap. During bivouac, we
sleep on inflatable mattresses in pup tents,
opening our C-rations with a P38 can opener we wear on our dog tags. We are also
issued butt packs, mess kits, metal canteens, and C-rations that include a small
pack of four cigarettes (which are eliminated from combat rations the following year).
A welcome break during field duty is the
call, "Smoke 'em if you got 'em!" Happy
Hour at the enlisted or NCO club relies
heavily on $1 pitchers of 3.2 beer.
The recruiting slogan of the day is,
"Today's Army wants to join you"; the "Be
all you can be" campaign would not start
for another eight years. Print ads and
posters have enticements such as:
"We'll make you expert at whatever
turns you on."
"If you think you'll miss the guys, bring
them along."
"When you jump, it's just you."
~~~~~~~~~~
We held a memorial service for Sergeant
Major Larry Strickland on October 7th,
2001. The attack of September 11th had
snuffed out his life and that of 124 of his
co-workers at the Pentagon. He now lies at
rest in Arlington National Cemetery, within
sight of the repairs frantically underway at
that now hallowed place. A younger generation is now carrying the flag in such farflung places as Bosnia-Herzegovina,
Kosovo, the Philippines, Uzbekistan and
Afghanistan, doing our Army and the
Nation proud. Hopefully, 30 years from
now, when the current "crop" of enlistees
looks back at how much their Army has
changed, they will remember fondly those
who gave that last full measure of duty and
sacrifice, honoring their memory in both
their words and deeds. It's the very least we
can do for these true, American heroes.
In Larry’s Honor
by Colonel Ruth Collins
US Army War College
Larry married Debra when she was my
Command Sergeant Major in the 510th
PSB in Germany. I had heard of Larry
Strickland before that, but had not known
him personally before 1994. It was soon
obvious to me that Larry was not only
focused and business-like, he was caring,
wise, and giving. His wit was not only
dry, it was inspired. Larry's unique sense
of humor made us laugh hard and loud and
his love for Debra and his family was real.
Losing him only days before his retirement…with so much to look forward
to…leaves Debra, his family, and his
friends empty.
May we remember to laugh in Larry's
honor and live each day to its fullest.
May 2002
1775
13
A Hero Honored
by Brian Lazenby, Star Staff Writer
The Anniston Star: Roy Williams offers a
tribute to his fallen brother, Major Dwayne
Williams, during a memorial service at First
Baptist Church in Jacksonville.
Hero.
Friends and family
say Army Major
Dwayne Williams was
the embodiment of that
one word.
That was evident
Thursday as hundreds
turned out for a memorial service at First
Baptist Church in
Jacksonville to honor
him and show their love and respect for a
family whose roots are anchored deep in the
community.
Dwayne Williams, 40, the eldest son of
Pearl and Horace Williams, died in the
September 11 terrorist attack on the
Pentagon, where he had been stationed since
June. He will be buried October 13 in
Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington,
VA.
A memorial service for all the victims of
the Pentagon attack is scheduled for
Thursday in Washington, DC.
"Dying for one's country is supposed to
be one of the most noble acts of
humankind," Jacksonville Mayor Jerry
Smith said before presenting the Williams
family a proclamation designating October 4
a day of mourning and remembrance.
"This community has sustained a great
loss," Smith said.
Friends and family told stories of Major
Williams' life, remembering the funny things
he did, the happy times when they were
together and the character that made everyone who knew him look up to him with
respect and admiration.
Major Williams' brother, Roy Williams,
remembered him as a great athlete in school,
and recalled how his friends called him
"fish" because he was such a good swimmer.
He reminisced about Dwayne's ability to fix
almost anything that broke, and how
Dwayne flew from South Carolina to
Birmingham to help him hang wallpaper in
his and his wife's new house.
"I will always remember my brother
Dwayne. He was my friend, my confidant
and my weekly e-mail companion," Roy
14
1775
said. "I knew I could always count on
Dwayne."
Dr. Tom Malone, retired schoolteacher
and counselor from Jacksonville High
School remembered Dwayne Williams as an
integral part of the student body, calling him
a "classic example" of what American education is all about.
"He was motivated by the influence of a
caring, loving family," Malone said.
"Dwayne Williams took advantage of the
opportunities at Jacksonville High School."
A former roommate and football teammate at the University of North Alabama,
Army Major Lonzie McCants, remembered
the night Dwayne met his wife, Tammy, and
how Dwayne came in and played Luther
Vandross on the stereo all night long afterward.
McCants remembered one of their
favorite things - the soap opera, "All My
Children." He laughed as he told of them
racing across campus after class so they
wouldn't miss a minute.
"He was a star athlete and a highly decorated soldier," McCants said. "He wanted to
excel in athletics and on the football field."
Brigadier General Michael Rochelle, one
of Major Williams' commanding officers at
Fort Jackson, SC, recalled seeing Major
Williams at the Pentagon years after. He
spoke of Dwayne's eyes - eyes aglow, eyes
that told everyone around him his spirit was
golden.
"Those eyes aglow and his magnificent
smile are what caused men in the desert, facing uncertain outcome, to follow him and
respect him," Rochelle said.
Lieutenant Colonel Dave Griffith played
with Major Williams on their battalion softball team. He told of his remarkable character and his ability to focus.
"He was someone I could always count
on. He had a big heart and the courage of a
lion," Griffith said. "He would tell us now to
focus."
And those in attendance did just that.
They focused not on what they lost, but on
how their friendship with Dwayne Williams
had enriched their lives.
Jacksonville State University's Gospel
Choir sang songs of praise, of light at the
end of every darkness and of joy in the
morning.
Although tears flowed down many faces,
it was not a day of mourning death. It was a
day of celebrating life.
Major Williams lived in Virginia with
his wife, Tammy, and their two children,
Tyler, 17, a senior at Hayfield High School,
and Kelsie, 13, an eighth-grader at Hayfield
Middle School, both in Alexandria, VA.
Representing Gov. Don Siegelman's
office, Brig. Gen. Mike Sumrall, adjutant
general for the Alabama National Guard,
presented the Williams family with the
Distinguished Service Medal and a framed
Alabama State Flag, which flew over the
capital Wednesday.
"Dwayne Williams is a true American
hero," he said.
The Dwayne Williams Family
Memorial Fund
USAA Federal Savings Bank
Attention: The Dwayne Williams Family
Memorial Fund
10750 McDermott Freeway
San Antonio, TX 78288-0544
A Point of Light
by Colonel Ruth B. Collins
US Army War College
Did you ever see a smile brighter or a
heart bigger than Dwayne Williams'?! I
knew Dwayne at Fort Jackson when he
was an instructor for the AG School and
then XO for the 369th AG Battalion (AIT).
Dwayne was "a point of light" for all of us.
Despite daily challenges and obstacles,
Dwayne showed us there was a positive
side to every situation. He had a way of
soaking up goodness and then distributing
it out again to those around him. I'm not
saying he was blind to problems, for he
wasn't. He was intuitive and could work a
hard problem, but he had a special gift of
happiness which he shared and caused to
multiply in those around him. He trained
and influenced many young AG officers,
soldiers, and families as well as many of
us senior leaders who leaned on him for
the intangible support that he so uniquely
provided. I miss Dwayne and the light he
brought to our AG family.
www.agregiment.com
Remembering a Friend
As a neighbor he
great time catching up on what had been going
was there the day that
on in our busy lives. We ate a lot, laughed a lot
Lori and I came down
and talked about old friends and the AG
from Bragg to look at
schoolhouse gang. One of the topics we disby Major Michael Bineham
quarters. He talked us
cussed was a book that we were both reading
into moving next door.
at the time The Prayer of Jabez. It comes from
The bible says in
1 Chronicles 4:10 "Oh, that you would bless
From the Fort Jackson memorial service held
proverbs 27:10 "Better is a neighbor who is
me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that your
in honor of Major Dwayne Williams.
near than a brother far away" and this was defhand would be with me, and that you would
initely true in our case. On the day we moved
keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!"
I know that many of you sitting here right
in he was in our yard mowing the grass for us.
So God granted him what he requested.
now feel the exact same way that I do about
He would always offer to lend a helping hand
As Dwayne was driving me back to catch
Dwayne and this situation. I also know that
to anyone in our housing area. He would move
the subway he told me how much he was
nothing I will say in the next few minutes will
furniture,
enjoying his new
fix this situation nor will it take away the pain
job and being with
that we feel individually or collectively. I think fix cars and
even work
his family. On 10
what we all are here for is to honor a truly
on your
September Dwayne
remarkable man.
computer,
called me in the
A wise sergeant major said in a similar sitalthough I
morning and we
uation just last week that God is good. When I
only let him
had a brief converheard Command Sergeant Major Armstead say
work on my
sation because I
that, I was too filled with anger and perhaps
computer
told him that I was
even hate to let it sink in. However, over this
once if you
busy getting ready
past week I began talking with God again, as
know what I
for the CCC graduwell as my pastor, family and friends about
ation, AERs, counwhat has occurred and I've come to the conclu- mean.
As a coselings and last
sion that God is indeed good. Let me tell you
worker we
minute details.
why. For those of you who knew Dwayne perMajor John Sena, Mr. Mike Mishoe, Major Williams and Major Bineham
had a great
He said that he
sonally, please take a moment to close your
time together as we bumbled through our first
had had a busy morning as well. I asked him
eyes and picture Dwayne in your mind. I
what he had done - moved three pieces of
would bet that every last one of you envisioned captain's career course. Our daily routine consisted of going to PT together around 0530
paper from one side of his desk to the other?
him with a huge smile or a loud boisterous
then going to building 10,000 for class. After
He laughed so hard and so long that it made
laugh.
work he would come over to my back porch or me start laughing. We quickly said "I'll talk to
God blessed each and every one of us by
I'd be in his living room discussing the day's
you later" and hung up. Also that night he and
allowing Dwayne to come into our lives, even
Lori chatted on AOL just briefly because they
though it was not for as long as we would have events, watching sports, wrestling or talking
about other really important topics. I'm sure
were both busy doing other things.
liked. I've received emails almost on a daily
that Lori and Tammy thought that we spent
Since the attack on the 11th I have been
basis from around the world, to include
more time together than with them. Even after
playing my last visit and last phone call over
Germany and Bulgaria, from both former stuand over in my mind almost non-stop. I keep
dents and instructors. They were all hoping and his departure from Fort Jackson, anytime he
called I would end up passing the phone
telling myself that this tragedy might be easier
praying that this was not the same Dwayne
around to at least one or two other instructors
to deal with if I had not had such recent conWilliams that they knew. It amazed me what
just to say, "Hey, what's going on". He always
tact with Dwayne and asked God why?
an impact one man had on so many.
squared people away, from pulling strings over
The answer is simple: God is good. He is
I am going to list only a few of the cateat the 369th dining facility to recently making
so good that he allowed me to share life with
gories in which he excelled.
sure that Johnny Sena was good to go out at
Dwayne one more time before he was taken.
As a soldier he was a superb enlisted man
Additionally, God has taught me to cherish
and noncommissioned officer. In ranger school Fort Leavenworth.
As a mentor he impacted numerous lives of
every moment that is spent with individuals, to
he was the honor graduate. Ask any ranger
both students and cadre. He always was upbeat not let the daily grind or matters that are
around they will tell you how difficult that is
and offered encouragement to others. He rarely insignificant in the grand scheme of life take
to achieve. As an officer he had two company
had a cross word about anybody. He let others
precedence over relationships.
commands, was an aide de camp to a two star
vent (mostly me) and always passed along
Make no mistake about it. Dwayne is in
general, was this battalion's executive officer
heaven right now with God the father because
and was nominated to work for the DCSPER. I wise counsel and advice. One valuable lesson
we learned together on the night of an AG
he had a personal relationship with Jesus
used to give Dwayne a hard time for working
dress blue function was that it is advisable to
Christ while he was here on this earth.
in the Pentagon and having to wear Class Bs
ensure you can still fit into your dress blue
Additionally, while he was here he encouraged
all the time. He was quick to point out that
trousers before the night of the event. Although other believers and he ensured that his spiritual
working at the Pentagon made him part of the
Dwayne did have an excuse because he had
heritage was passed to his children. As much
upper management of the Army. We used to
just become a field grade.
as we would like to have Dwayne come back,
have life discussions on many runs together as
As a Christian he was a heck of a husband
he isn't going to. We on the other hand have a
we tried to get him back in shape after his knee
and father. He donated a lot of time and effort
dear brother that we will see once again in
surgery. One of my fondest memories is
while he was here to the Daniel Circle Chapel.
glory and until that day we need to be thankful
Dwayne singing cadence during morning PT
On August 14th,on my last trip to DC, I
to God for all the fun times we had together
with B Company, 369th AG Battalion. In my
was fortunate enough to spend the evening and and all of the wonderful memories.
15 years in the Army I've never seen another
have supper at the Williams' home. It was a
God is indeed good!
Battalion XO sing cadence.
May 2002
1775
15
Sergeant Major Lacey Ivory
In memory of
Sergeant Major Lacey B. Ivory
by Colonel Ruth B. Collins
Sergeant Major Ivory was my
Detachment Sergeant for Detachment B,
510th Personnel Services Battalion in
Germany. Lacey helped provide that
special combination of leadership and
technical competency that worked in that
unique community of Heidelberg with its
multiple constituencies. Lacey had
charisma, credibility, faith, and talent
galore. Like the rest of us, he didn't have
all the answers on-the-spot, but he was
committed and professional and found the
answers. He balanced the need for service to seniors and service to subordinates
- a feat that eludes many of us. He loved
life and proudly showed that he did, not
seeming in any way to be driven by the
egocentric culture that drives so many
others. Lacey valued education and pursued it in his quiet, efficient way, setting
the example for his soldiers and their
families that will continue to live. Our
510th family grieves for his loss and
remembers him with nothing but respect,
love, and gratitude for his life and his
service to us.
Sergeant Major Ivory and the first two soldiers to join Army University
Access Online take advantage of a photo opportunity in the Secretary of the
Army’s office.
Then SFC Ivory at the 1995 AG Ball in Heidelberg with CSM Strickland and SFC Wiley.
Below, SGM Ivory, top right, at a 510th photo opportunity at last year’s PLM
SGM Ivory, then a SFC and detachment
sergeant at Detachment B, 510th PSB, in
Heidleberg, Germany, plays horseshoes
during the 1996 Special Olympics.
Shoot for the Moon
by Staff Sergeant Antonio Bermudez
NCOIC, Personnel Division,
Keller Army Community Hospital, West Point, NY
Sergeant Major Lacey Ivory was my first supervisor when I was
at HQ, USAREUR & 7th Army. He was the PAC Supervisor
and I was a little ol' Private. I remember one morning, he canceled PT and a group of us, including then Sergeant First Class
Ivory, went and had breakfast. It was sort of NCOPD. He
spelled out for us what we needed to do to be successful in the
Army and the traits that make up a good leader. There was one
line that I remember vividly from that morning: "Shoot for the
moon. If you miss, you'll be among the stars." I always think
of that phrase. I'm not sure if it's because its a catchy line or
that it means so much if you break it down to its true meaning.
On 23 August 2002, just weeks before 11 September, I received
a letter in the mail from SGM Ivory congratulating me on making Sergeant First Class. Ironically, the last sentence of the letter read, "Shoot for the moon. If you miss, you'll be among the
stars." How ironic! It's the same phrase I can't stop thinking
about. I framed the letter that same day because I felt to special
to have received a letter from SGM Ivory. I had that much
respect for him. I truly believe that my success in the Army (I
made E6 in four-and-a-half years and was selected for E7 in less
than eight years) is due to Sergeant Major Ivory and his mentorship.
His leadership and charisma will be missed by me and everyone
he came in contact with.
16
1775
www.agregiment.com
In memory of
Sergeant Major Lacey B. Ivory
by Sergeant Major Lionel Scatliffe
Senior Enlisted Advisor, J1/J2
White House Communications Agency
On 24 March 2002, I survived the running of the 26.2-mile Washington, DC
marathon. I finished in three hours and
twenty four minutes, an average pace of
seven minutes and forty nine seconds per
mile. I dedicated this race in memory of
Sergeant Major Lacey B. Ivory a, personal
friend and classmate during our time at the
Sergeants Major Academy. Lacey perished
in the 9/11 attack on the Pentagon.
The events of September 11th have profoundly affected us as a nation. In
Washington, DC we saw the Pentagon
erupt into flames on that morning as we
lost many of those who were our colleagues, family and friends. While our capital city has experienced some changes, life
and the spirit of the people who live here
have never diminished. We have all been
profoundly touched by the sense of patriotism and fellowship throughout our city and
country.
Through running I have learned what it
is to make a commitment; experienced
physical and spiritual growth; learned to
cope with pain, injury and recovery;
learned to win, as well as to lose. and I
have discovered that within every person
and every mile that I thought I knew, there
is always some new surprise, some fresh
awakening.
Photos above and at right submitted by
Lieutenant Colonel Deb Ivory, wife of
Sergeant Major Lacey Ivory.
From top: Lacey and Deb shopping in
New York in June 2001.
Lacey with his godchild/niece, Ievory
Lace.
Lacey participating in a Bowl-a-thon to
raise money for scholarships for Big
Brothers and Big Sisters.
The Ivory family has established a memorial scholarship fund in Sergeant Major
Ivory's honor. The "SGM Lacey B. Ivory
Scholarship" at South East High School
has been established to provide assistance
to high school seniors who will be attending college from his hometown - Kansas
City, MO. Please address your donations
to SGM Lacey B. Ivory and send to:
Lieutenant Colonel Deborah Ivory
c/o SGM Lacey B. Ivory Scholarship
5700 Rhode Island Drive
Woodbridge, VA 22193
At right: Lacey and Deb on their last
wedding anniversary, March 11, 2001,
in the Poconos.
That’s my way of dealing with our
nation’s losses. I wish peace to all of those
who suffered the loss of a loved one on
September 11th.
May 2002
1775
17
Neil Hyland, an Army of One
In memory of
Lieutenant Colonel Stephen N. Hyland
by Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Paul A.
Pusecker III
My name is Lieutenant Colonel Paul A.
Pusecker, 3d United States Army . I officially retire from active duty in less than
two weeks and up until July 1st; I served
my final Army assignment here at UD as
your professor of military science in the
Army ROTC.
I was asked to speak today and reflect
on these tragic events from a military perspective. In doing so, I want to share with
you a story, which demonstrates the
strength, the commitment, and the level of
selfless service that men and women in uniform demonstrate each and every day as
they defend our way of life.
The Army has a new Madison Avenue
slogan, replacing the stalwart "Be All That
You Can Be". We are now "An Army of
One" and in sharing my perspective on the
horror of September 11th, I would like to
tell you a story about an Army of One. Neil
Hyland grew up in a somewhat privileged
environment. He had a normal childhood
and an excellent high school record, but
really hit his stride when he arrived at
South Bend, Indiana, as a freshman at the
University of Notre Dame. Neil majored in
British literature and loved authors such as
Chaucer and Shakespeare. It was at Notre
Dame where Neil first realized his calling
to serve others. By his senior year, Neil
decided to pursue a life of religious service
and he entered the seminary to become a
priest. After several years in seminary, Neil
made a life altering decision. He gave up
the religious order and decided to serve his
country instead. Neil then enlisted into the
US Army for the purpose of attending
18
1775
Officer Candidate School, perhaps the most
difficult path to officership in the armed
forces; but he made the transition easily
and graduated from Officer Candidate
School and was commissioned a second
lieutenant in the US Army in early 1981.
He then embarked on a challenging and
rewarding career in service to our nation.
Like the rest of the Army of One, Neil gave
up much to serve. He left family and
friends behind and served our country in
Germany, New Jersey, Indiana,
Washington State, Korea, Florida,
Washington DC, Kansas, and Hawaii. Neil
was a superb leader and manager of the
most precious of Army resources -our soldiers. For his selflessness, extraordinary
skills, and professional abilities, Neil was
promoted through the ranks, achieving the
rank of lieutenant colonel - the pinnacle of
a successful military career. Along the way,
this Army of One received outstanding performance and evaluation reports and was
awarded many Achievement,
Commendation, and Meritorious Service
Medals for his distinguished service to his
country. Neil was elated when the Army
reassigned him to Washington DC and the
Pentagon last summer. Because of his
experience and expertise, the Army put
Neil in charge of managing all the enlisted
soldier distribution for our entire service,
an extremely prestigious and essential position that would likely serve as the stepping
stone for further promotion. Neil loved the
Washington DC area and relished the possibility of finishing his career of service to
his country in our nation's capital.
Neil Hyland, an Army of One, touched
many lives. He was my best friend for the
past 15 years, my family's closest military
friend, and the godfather to my youngest
daughter.
Neil died on September 11th, 2001
when a hijacked American jetliner was
used as an instrument of terror and
slammed into the Pentagon. Neil died doing
what he loved to do, serving our country. I
only pray that he did not suffer an anguishing death.
On September 11th, a large piece of my
heart was ripped out. But I'm not alone as
Neil had a profound impact on others who
will miss his quick wit, his constant smile,
and his unflagging optimism. Neil died
serving his country and his death was one
of almost 190 at the Pentagon and up to
5,400 in New York City. Over 5,500
fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, friends
are gone.
So, how does a nation respond to such
atrocities and what role does your military
play in a reprisal for these horrific acts?
The Army's role, and that of our brothers
and sisters in the Air Force, Navy, and
Marines, is to behave as an Army of One
and act at the direction of our Commander
In Chief, President George W. Bush. All
those in uniform know that they are instruments of our government's policy, constrained by Constitutional edict from operating independently. As Americans in uniform, we take justifiable pride in the fact
that we do not participate in political
squabbles and do not set policy. This is one
of the remarkable features of our democratic society. So those in uniform quietly prepare, waiting to receive orders from the
President as he confers with his national
security team, the Congress, and international leaders in deciding how to respond to
these cowardly acts. .
You should feel reassured that your
armed forces are trained, ready and willing
to do what we are called upon to do, and it
will be done to the absolute best of our
ability. From 23 years of personal observation, I can tell you that my uniformed
brothers and sisters embody these qualities
- loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service,
honesty, integrity, and personal courage.
This struggle will not be short in duration and I ask for your continued support as
we send our armed forces into harm's way.
As the Chief of Staff of the Army stated
late last week, "Our nonnegotiable contract
with the American people remains the
cause of peace and the alleviation of suffering, but when called, we will fight and we
will win our nation's wars as we have for
over 226 years. And the legacy of our
nation's most esteemed institution remains
the American soldier - the centerpiece of
our formations." Please keep all the members of the Army of One in your prayers.
In closing, we may have been bloodied
but we did not fall. We are strong, we are
resolved, we are ready -- God bless you,
the Armed Forces, and God bless America.
Thank you.
www.agregiment.com
Remembrances
In memory of
Sergeant Major Larry L. Strickland
by CSM (Retired) Joseph M. Himelick
Regimental Sergeant Major Emeritus
Sergeant Major Larry L. Strickland, soldier, patriot, husband, father, and dear
friend. What a pleasure it was to know and
associate with him for over 27 years.
Larry was a rare individual who mixed
professionalism, perfection, and humor to
accomplish any task.
In 1974 I was the First Sergeant of the
9th Adjutant General Company, Fort Lewis,
Washington, when then SP5 Strickland was
assigned to the unit. I selected him to be my
company clerk and had him trained in SIDPERS, a new and difficult program. After
his initial training at division level, he took
over all SIDPERS responsibilities for a unit
with over 500 assigned personnel. His
desire for perfection resulted in a record of
zero errors in transactions for over four
months. He accomplished his other assigned
tasks with the same level of dedication and
professionalism. Many years later I jokingly
said to him "You know, you weren't really a
very good company clerk". He smiled and
replied, "I guess that was OK because you
weren't a very good First Sergeant either".
As the Command Sergeant Major of lst
PERSCOM in 1983, I was again fortunate to
have SFC Strickland assigned to the command. He was the Chief NCO, Enlisted
Management Division and again performed
his duties in a flawless manner. During a
routine field exercise the unit moved to the
field area, established a defensive perimeter,
and personnel were assigned defensive positions. Later during a rainstorm, an aggressor
unit was deployed against us. As I was
walking the perimeter, I noticed SFC
Strickland was at his position and that it was
full of mud and water. I said to him,
"Larry, what are you doing laying in all that
mud"? He replied, " I don't know Sergeant
Major, I spank my kids when they do things
like this". Later during his time at lst PERSCOM I was elated to inform him of his
selection for Master Sergeant.
When Sergeant Major Strickland graduated from Class 30 of the US Army
Sergeants Major Academy, I was the
Command Sergeant Major of the Total
Army Personnel Command. I visited with
him at the academy and informed him that
he would be assigned to PERSCOM. He
asked me, "Do I have any other options"? I
said, " Your only options are whether you
want to live in Northern Virginia or
Maryland". At PERSCOM he was the
Sergeant Major of the Engineer and Signal
Branches and also the senior enlisted staff
member on the Noncommissioned Officer's
Leader Task Force of 1989. While on the
task force he was constantly traveling in
order to accommodate all the requirements
of the subject areas being surveyed. When
he returned from a road trip he would
always come to my office and update me.
We received many comments from senior
leaders of the Army regarding his dedicated
and professional manner. He never complained of being gone so much except to say
that he would like to see his family more
often. I was very proud when he was selected to be the Sergeant Major for the Deputy
Chief of Staff for Personnel in 1990.
After my retirement I would call Larry
for updates or for answers on policy questions, or just to talk. We would always meet
at the Personnel Leaders Meeting, share a
drink, and talk about old times. On one
occasion I needed a replacement lapel pin
that I couldn't get. I called Larry and asked
him to get me one at the Clothing Sales
Store in the Pentagon and mail it to me. A
few days later the pin arrived in the mail
with a note that I could pay him at the
upcoming PLM. When I arrived at the PLM
I found out that Larry had told many of the
Sergeants Major that I owed him money.
His explanation was that due to my
advanced years he was afraid I would forget.
After a good laugh he refused to let me pay
him. He said it was worth the cost for all
the fun he had telling everyone.
Larry Strickland was more than just a
subordinate, fellow soldier and friend. I am
reminded of the words of Shakespeare who
wrote:
But we………shall be remembered;
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he today that shed his blood with me
Shall be my brother.
In memory of
Colonel Dave M. Scales
by Major Ned E. Popovich
I worked with Dave for about two years at
OCAR just before he went over to
DCSPER. I also served as the Casualty
Assistance Officer Forward for the PNOK,
and Summary Courts Martial Officer for
the disposition of his personal effects.
He was an accomplished musician who
had a number of pieces copyrighted. The
DC chapter of the National Songwriters
Association had a special recognition of
Colonel Scales works on 18 November
2001. During a memorial OCAR had the
day before his inurnment at Arlington
National Cemetery, three of his songs
being played by him were used during the
service. The local DC area group he was a
member of made a CD recording of a
number of these songs played by him and
were distributed to friends and family.
He was remembered at both memorials
with the fact that he never missed spaghetti day on Thursdays at the Pentagon dining
room. If people ever were looking for him
on a Thursday around noon, we could
always assure them he was the dining
room eating his spaghetti.
Larry and I did not shed blood except for
the many issues we toiled over for the benefit of soldiers and our great Army, but I feel
the words apply. I would have been very
proud to call him my brother.
May 2002
1775
19
Career Program 50 Remembers
by Mrs. Ona Cates
They say time heals all wounds,
and the tragic events of September 11,
2001, will certainly take time. We all
share the loss of that tragic day, but in
our hearts will always carry forward the
spirit and love of country our departed
coworkers demonstrated. Before more
time passes, let us reflect on a few of
our fallen leaders who over the years
served in key personnel positions and
contributed to the CP 50 community.
LTG Timothy Maude was truly
our leader and a great advocate for the
civilian personnel community. He
proudly served
with us and
never missed
an opportunity
to praise us.
LTG Maude's
last formal
address to the
CP 50 community occurred at the 2001 Personnel
Leader's Meeting. His comments at the
time were truly significant and reinforced what he already knew - the civilian workforce was indispensable and
would play a pivotal role in the Army
of the future. If he were with us today,
he would be singing our praises and
would be proud of our contributions to
the current struggle. In life he was
always with us, leading, guiding, directing, and sharing his expertise; in spirit
his vision and ideals live on.
Gary Smith, LTC (Retired), served
as Chief, Army Retirement Service
Office, Deputy
Chief of Staff for
Personnel. His
diligence and commitment to retirees
and their families
ensured they
remained a part of
the Army family,
long after active
service ended.
Gary was recognized and appreciated by the entire personnel community. He gave his life
while working on yet another initiative
to support and enhance the retirement
20
1775
community.
Max Beilke, MSG (Retired), served
as Gary's deputy. His publication, "Max
Facts," was the
primary tool for
providing a
wealth of information to retirees
about their Army
and their benefits.
People who
worked closely
with Gary and
Max best remember them with a quote that truly sums
up their philosophy, "A life not lived
for others is not a life."
Ronald Golinski, SGM (Retired),
Officer Personnel Management,
Directorate of
Military
Personnel
Management,
Deputy Chief of
Staff for
Personnel. Ron
was responsible
for the Reserve
Officer Training
Cadet Program.
Those who
worked closely with him remember him
for his positive spirit. He could always
find the bright side of a situation when
others couldn't. He, like LTG Maude,
Gary Smith and Max Beilke, loved his
family and the Army he served.
We, as a personnel community,
can best honor our fallen leaders and
coworkers by carrying on in their memory the fine traditions and selfless service they gave their country. Our loss
that fateful day was great and can never
be replaced. But we can ensure that the
sacrifice they made is never forgotten
and will always serve as a guiding light
in the days to come.
As always, we encourage and welcome your comments and suggestions
concerning CP50. Please do not hesitate
to contact me at (703) 325-4753 or
cateso@hoffman.army.mil. We look
forward to seeing you at the upcoming
meeting.
Seeing Stars
by Sergeant Major (Retired) PJ Swanson
I've been doing some remembering and thinking
ever since I saw your first announcement about
LTG Maude, but decided to wait for the announcement. One of my first reactions (other than the
complete horror of the acts) was to wonder if I
knew anybody. To find out I knew two names listed as missing really hit home about how fragile life
is and how some folks you meet throughout the
years in the service stay with you forever.
I met LTG Maude in Korea in 1985 when he
was the 2nd ID AG, before moving to the G1 job
(before the positions were combined). While the
band was part of the AG company, we really functioned on our own for most things. As the first sergeant, I had a fair amount of contact with then LTC
Maude and was impressed by his calm, professional demeanor. One of my SFCs ("Mac" McLin who would later make 1SG) told me to watch LTC
Maude, because he would be wearing stars in the
future.
Two of LTG Maude's actions from that era
stood out in my mind. The first was when both the
EUSA and 2ID bands started declining in numbers
with no
replacements and we couldn't figure what was happening. Both bands were lucky to march 20 soldiers on the field. LTC Maude sent a letter to a former
commander of 8th PERSCOM who had been promoted to BG and assigned to PERSCOM asking
him to look at the situation. The phrase, "That both
bands are still able to function with somewhat balanced instrumentation seems to be by accident,
rather than by design," still sticks in my mind.
Anyway, PERSCOM did some checking, found the
problem, and started fixing it.
The other incident happened after I was selected
to attend the Sergeant Major's Academy. I was feeling a little nervous about the course,and LTC
Maude had a heart-to-heart with me. His main comment was that the Sergeant Major Course was
much like CGSC or the War College. The hardest
part of those courses was not the academics. The
hardest part was being selected to attend. I used his
wisdom on this subject with several folks since
then.
I ran into LTG Maude from time to time, and
we always had the bond that folks develop from
assignments like Korea. It was a pleasure to see
1SG McLin's prophecy come true.
LTG Maude will be missed, not only by the
Army and the AG Corps, but by this old retiree as
www.agregiment.com
In memory of
Colonel Canfield Boone
by Lieutenant Colonel Catherine O'Brien
Reserve Component Incentive Manager
Flag at Pentagon Attack Site Lowered,
Preserved
by Jim Garamone, American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Oct. 11, 2001 -- The huge American flag that hung to the right
of the damaged area of the Pentagon was lowered Oct. 11 and folded with full
military honors.
Soldiers of A Company, 3rd Infantry (The Old Guard), lowered the colors and
folded them on the helipad just in front of where hijacked airliner hit the
Pentagon Sept. 11.
Before Sept. 11, the flag belonged to the U.S. Army Band and nearby Fort Myer,
Va. It is a garrison flag, the largest authorized for the military.
Colonel Boone served for 31 years. He joined
the Indiana Army National Guard and rose to
the rank of staff sergeant in the 38th Infantry
Division. He received a direct appointment as
an AG officer.
While in the INARNG, he served as Assistant
Postal Officer, 38th AG Company, Equal
Opportunity Operations Officer, 38th Infantry
Division, Battalion Adjutant, HHC, 738th
Maintenance Battalion, and Company
Commander, Company B, 738th Maintenance
Battalion.
He became AGR in 1986. His first assignment was as Assistant Professor of Military
Science for Eastern Illinois University. He
also served as Personnel Staff Officer and
Personnel Analyst for the Army National
Guard Personnel Directorate. Other assignments included AGR Assignments Officer,
Personnel Secretariat, and Chief, Military
Personnel Services at National Guard Bureau.
He served at PERSCOM as the ARNG
Advisor and Mobilization Integrator. He was
assigned to ODCSPER in August 1998 as a
ARNG Personnel Policy Integrator.
After the attack on the Pentagon, bandsmen sent the flag to the Pentagon. During
President Bush's visit to the impact site, 3rd Infantry soldiers and fire fighters
unveiled the flag and draped it over the side of the building.
The flag had hung in place ever since. Each night, workers illuminated it with
flood lights. Today, the flag is soot-stained and ripped at one spot where it
rubbed up against the building.
"This flag will never be flown again," Maj. Gen. Jim Jackson, commander of the
Army Military District of Washington, said following the ceremony. Jackson will
present the flag to the Army leadership later. They will decide its ultimate destination.
Soldiers from A Company, 3rd Infantry (The Old Guard), gather and fold the American flag that draped the
side of the Pentagon beside the impact site where terrorists crashed a hijacked airliner September 11, 2001.
The soldier presented the flag to Military District of Washington Commander, Major General Jim Jackson.
The flag will never be flown again.
- Photos by Jim Garamone
Colonel Boone completed AGOBC, AGOAC
and CGSC. He received a Bachelor's of
Science from Butler University and a MS
from Webster University.
His awards include the Legion of Merit,
Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal (with
1 oak leaf cluster), RCOM (with 3 oak leaf
clusters), and the Army Staff Identification
Badge.
Colonel Boone is survived by his wife, Linda,
and three sons, Chris, Andy, and Jason.
May 2002
1775
21
The AG Corps Remembers . . .
22
1775
www.agregiment.com
From top left: Samantha Lightbourn-Allen, Specialist Craig S. Amundson, Max J. Beilke, Carrie R. Blagburn, Colonel Canfield D. Boone, Donna Bowen, Sergeant First
Class Jose Orlando Calderon-Olmedo, Angelene C. Carter, Sharon Carver, John J. Chada, Ada M. Davis, Lieutenant Colonel Jerry Dickerson Jr., Amelia V. Fields,
Gerald Fisher, Cortez Ghee, Brenda C. Gibson, Ronald F. Golinski, Diane M. Hale-McKinzy, Carolyn B. Halmon, Shelia M. J. Hein, Major Wallace C. Hogan, Jr.,
Jimmie I. Holley, Peggie M. Hurt, Lt. Col. Stephen N. Hyland Jr., Sergeant Major Lacey B. Ivory, Lieutenant Colonel Dennis M. Johnson, Brenda Kegler, David W.
Laychak, Major Stephen V. Long, Terrance M. Lynch, Teresa M. Martin, Ada L. Mason, Lieutenant Colonel Dean E. Mattson, Lieutenant General Timothy J. Maude,
Robert J. Maxwell, Molly L. McKenzie, Major Ronald D. Milam, Odessa V. Morris, Ted H. Moy, Diana Padro, Specialist Chin Sun Pak, Major Clifford L. Patterson, Jr.,
Scott Powell, Deborah A. Ramsaur, Rhonda S. Rasmussen, Martha M. Reszke, Cecelia E. Richard, Edward V. Rowenhorst, Judy Rowlett, Robert E. Russell, Chief
Warrant Officer William R. Ruth, Marjorie C. Salamone, Colonel Dave M. Scales, Janice M. Scott, Michael L. Selves, Marian H. Serva, Antoinette Sherman, Donald D.
Simmons, Cheryle D. Sincock, Gary F. Smith, Patricia J. Statz, Edna Lee Stephens, Sergeant Major Larry L. Strickland, Lieutenant Colonel Kip P. Taylor, Sandra C.
Taylor, Sergeant Tamara C. Thurman, Willie Q. Troy, Lieutenant Colonel Karen J. Wagner, Meta L. Waller, Staff Sergeant Maudlyn A. White, Sandra L. White, Ernest
Willcher, Major Dwayne Williams, Edmond Young, Lisa L. Young.
May 2002
1775
23
AGCRA
The Adjutant General’s Corps Regimental Association salutes the members of
the Association who perished on September 11, 2001
Lieutenant General Timothy Maude
Lieutenant Colonel Kip Taylor
Major Dwayne Williams
Sergeant Major Larry Strickland
Sergeant Major Lacey Ivory
24
1775
www.agregiment.com
In Support of our
President and Nation
by Master Sergeant Morris Foor
8 November 2001, 1800.
The Army Ground Forces Band, looking resplendent in their dress
blues, takes the stage at the Thomas B. Murphy Ballroom in the
Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta. Their mission: perform
honors for the Commander in Chief, President George W. Bush, prior
to his address to the nation on the war on terrorism and the creation of
the Office of Homeland Security. The band will also provide entertainment to the thousands in attendance prior to the speech.
The audience exhibited a level of patriotism never before witnessed
in the Atlanta area. The attendees represented all walks of life; the military and civilian workforce, firefighters and policeman, postal workers
and health care employees. The band, under the direction of Major Otis
French, supported the emotions of the crowd by performing almost an
hour of patriotic selections prior to the introduction of the President.
The sound of thousands of Americans clapping in unison to selections
such as 'Washington Post' and 'Semper Fidelis' as well as the heartfelt
rendering of 'America the Beautiful' brought a tear to the eye of many
of the band members. The praise and thanks given by many in attendance was once again one of the special moments to which only an
Army Bandsman can relate: when a veteran, one who risked his or her
life protecting our freedom and way of life, goes out of his or her way
to tell you how much your performance has meant, you know beyond
doubt that your job as a bandsman is indeed very special. Not only in
the support of dignitaries and official functions, but in the most important role of letting our veterans and the American public know that the
nation is eternally grateful for their sacrifice and support.
"We will always remember the words of that brave man, expressing
the spirit of a great country. We will never forget all we have lost, and
all we are fighting for. Ours is the cause of freedom. We've defeated
freedom's enemies before, and we will defeat them again. We cannot
know every turn this battle will take. Yet we know our cause is just and
our ultimate victory is assured. We will, no doubt, face new challenges.
But we have our marching order: My fellow Americans, let's roll."
President Bush, Georgia World Congress Center, 8 November 2001.
Note: on 12 February 2001 the Army Ground Forces Band was
tasked to perform for President Bush as he arrived at Hunter Army
Airfield in Savannah, Georgia. This was his first official visit on Air
Force One since assuming office. The Army Ground Forces Band was
the first military band, other than the DC bands, to perform 'Hail to the
Chief' for the new President. To have had the opportunity to perform for
such a great leader on two occasions has indeed been a great honor.
T im's Prayer
A prayer of remembrance for the family of Lieutenant
General Timothy J. Maude
By Chaplain (Colonel) Janet Y. Horton and Colonel
Christine Knighton
Chaplain Horton is a chaplain who taught ethics at the
Adjutant General and Finance Schools from 19985-89. She
served with General Maude during four different assignments. Colonel Knighton was his deputy at one time.
Together they wrote this prayer for Teri Maude. She liked it
and encouraged them to share it with others who knew him.
I Gave My All . . . Soldiering On
I thank you forever dear God for Teri, Kathleen and Karen*
How my heart laughed with them
How I loved each one of them
As priceless treasures in my heart
I thank you for all the soldiers, service members and
civilians I served with
You allowed me to leave a legacy of leadership through
them
And through countless missions we met with joy and resolve
I've done my duty
I stood my watch...even in the face of gravest danger
You and I understand what faithfulness is*
You gave me great courage*
And in honor and dignity I served a vision beyond the mere
call of duty
I ask but a simple recognition
That...I am a soldier,
And as a soldier, patriot, father and husband I gave my all
I smile and offer up all the love in my heart*
Lord may I drink of Your living water*
And take my place with You
And will you write my name among the stars*
May I enter the eternal peace
To the haven of Your love*
Your faithful servant...Tim
For a soldier such as he, we all give thanks And ask Lord,
that You grant him peace forever . . . Amen
* Lines adapted from Prayers from the Ark/The Creatures'
Choir by Carmen Bernos De Gasztold
May 2002
1775
25
P ERSPECTIVE
by Colonel Phil McNair
In the weeks after the terrorist attack on September 11th, I
spent more time at Arlington National Cemetery than I ever
thought I would. My memory is full of the sights and sounds of
that awful time: the long walks from the chapel to the grave
site behind flag-draped coffins on caissons pulled by impeccably groomed black horses; the snap of the Old Guard firing
squad and the echo of their shots through crisp autumn air; the
soulful sound of a solitary bugler playing "Taps"; the tears,
hugs, prayers, and eulogies of friends and family; and the eerie
irony that from most of the graves one could see the charred,
collapsed section of the Pentagon where we had worked and
fact only temporary, for we are to move back into the
September 11th area this fall, when construction is (miraculously) complete. We look ahead to more moves, more confusion, different telephone numbers and new computer connections in just a few months.
I suppose it would be easy, given all this, to feel sorry for ourselves, to dwell on our losses, or to complain that's all simply
too hard. Let me tell you why we don't, and why we never will.
Today there are thousands of soldiers fighting, and sometimes
dying, in the war on terrorism. Many are living far from home
in inhospitable places where they are cold, uncomfortable,
tired, and dirty. They are there because that's
what they do - respond to America's call to
defend our freedoms and rights and protect
those who can not protect themselves. They are there because
they are the good guys in a war against evil. And they are there
because of what happened to us.
We are one with the soldier on the battlefield, . . .
where the very people we were burying had died.
Meanwhile, amidst the overwhelming sadness, the work of the
office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel continued. On
September 12th those who were able, set up temporary offices
in the buildings occupied by PERSCOM. Operations never
ceased or slowed, despite constant interruptions for yet another
funeral, memorial service, viewing, or wake. Over the coming
days and weeks, as more of the workforce returned, it became
increasingly apparent that our
mission was more difficult
than ever, with no relief in
sight. Complicating the
already challenging situation of working from temporary
offices, reconstituting critical staff actions, and recovering files,
were the added burdens of working without key people, negotiating for office space back in the Pentagon, and dealing with an
ongoing merger between the Army Staff and the Secretariat
announced by the Secretary of the Army prior to September
11th. And on top of everything else, the Army and the nation
were at war, with the Army Operations Center and the
Personnel Contingency Cell running 24 hours a day, 7 days a
week.
We in the DCSPER (now called the Army G1) are proud of the
part we play in keeping America safe and strong, and while our
situation has been pretty tough lately, we will continue to
accomplish our missions with every ounce of energy we have.
. . . and we are grateful for what they do for us every day.
While most of the DCSPER workers are now back in the
Pentagon, challenges persist. One group moved back into
repainted and newly carpeted offices, only to be flooded out
when a water line broke on the floor above them. Other groups
have moved two or three times as office arrangements and staff
organizations changed. While construction on the Pentagon
continues, we work amidst constant noise, false fire alarms,
dust, and clutter. Some workers experienced health problems in
their new spaces, which may eventually be traced to air quality
and poor ventilation. And our "new" Pentagon offices are in
We are soldiers and we are civilian employees and some of us
are contractors, and we are all on the same team working
towards the same goal: to win the war on terrorism. We are one
with the soldier on the battlefield, and we are grateful for what
they do for us every day.
Many Adjutant General soldiers are currently deployed to all
corners of the globe, each taking care of business in his or her
own individual war, which is just a piece of the big war the
nation is fighting. Though they rarely get any glory for what
they do, they understand, because the nature of their job is to
provide support and the limelight does not normally shine on
supporters. AGs love the Army as much as any soldier, and
though it may seem to them sometimes that the Army doesn't
love them in return, let me say on behalf of the Army G1 family: we love you and appreciate all you do. Thank you.
May 2002
1775
26
IT’S FINEST HOUR
by Sergeant First Class William E. White, Jr.
The United States Army Band (Pershing’s Own)
On a normal day, the loudest thing in the
Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps building is
a full Corps rehearsal. Shrill fifes, thundering drums and blaring bugles, all playing at
once, can be a quite formidable sound and
tends to drown out anything else in the near
vicinity. But the music of the Fife and Drum
Corps was overpowered on the morning of
September 11 by the sad, desperate screams
of fire and police sirens.
Just an hour prior, much of the Corps had
huddled around the TV in the day room to
watch the endless replay of a plane crashing
into the World Trade Center. Amazed as we
were by what we were watching, that amazement soon turned to disbelief as we watched,
live on television, as a fireball erupted in the
second tower. Not one of us watching was
immune to the same questions that
Americans across the country were asking
themselves. What's going on? Who's doing
this? This couldn't be an accident.
But the
Old
Guard
Fife and
Drum Corps had a performance that day and
so we pulled ourselves away from the TV,
attempted to steady our spinning minds and
prepare to do our job. Soon the Corps was
settled into a familiar routine of final
rehearsal for a mission. Then word made it
to the rehearsal hall: "They just hit the
Pentagon."
diers from the Fife and Drum Corps were on
their way up the street to take up this task.
The remainder of the Corps secured the Fife
and Drum building and watched the tragedy
unfolding on network television.
For much of the Fife and Drum Corps, the
reality of the situation and its possible ramifications soon hit home as the entire Corps
gathered in the rehearsal hall again, but this
time without instruments. Instead of our
familiar fifes, bugles and drums, we gathered
in the rehearsal hall to receive some update
training on the use of our protective masks.
In the Fife and Drum Corps, for the past 15
years, going to the field has meant heading
out to Summerall Field or the Pentagon for
another ceremony or hopping on a bus to
head off to Western Pennsylvania for a
Parade. By the end of the day on September
11, the Corps was putting together newly
issued TA-50, retrained in the use of their
protective masks and looking more like a
line company than a musical element.
That hour came on September 11th . . . .
From that moment on, "routine" no longer
existed for The Old Guard Fife and Drum
Corps, or America.
For years, the contingency mission of The
Old Guard has been the defense of the
national capitol region. Dozens of scenarios
have been rehearsed, but no one ever anticipated something like what happened on
September 11. In all of the scenarios the Fife
and Drum Corps, like all Army bands, is
tasked with rear support duties. In drills, this
usually means that the Corps provides personnel to augment security at Regimental
Headquarters, checking IDs and controlling
access to the building. Within minutes of the
news that the Pentagon had been struck, sol-
Over the next two weeks, we performed
more like a line company as well.
Occasionally, you might hear someone in a
practice room during their "12-hours-off"
shift, but mostly the music stopped. All of
the scheduled performances were cancelled,
including Spirit of America, and the flow of
new requests dropped off completely.
Instead, the Corps fielded requests from
Regimental Headquarters to supplement the
line companies in their duties. And with the
same focus that is applied to performing an
arrival ceremony on the White House lawn,
the Fife and Drum Corps attacked the new,
and for us, unusual duties to which we were
called.
After the initial security detail at the HQ
building, the Corps provided NCOs to the
Military District of Washington Emergency
Operations Center to help coordinate recovery efforts at the Pentagon, as well as a platoon on stand-by to hand out food to the
troops working at the Pentagon. Soon, however, the Corps departed from the traditional
support role that Army bands fill. Two platoons were dispatched to the Pentagon for
remains recovery, light labor and security.
After 24 hours of taskings at the Pentagon,
the musician-soldiers of the Fife and Drum
Corps began what was to be their primary
task for the next 10 days: augmenting the
MPs at the gates and other security points on
Ft. Myer. Searching cars and directing traffic
were only two of the many skills for which
the Corps traded in their instruments.
Once relief arrived from as far away as
Puerto Rico, the Fife and Drum Corps
returned to building 231 and the fifes, drums
and bugles that were left behind on
September 11. Less than twelve hours after
the final MP augmentation shift ended, the
Fife and Drum Corps was back on
Summerall Field rehearsing for a ceremony.
For the first time in nearly two weeks, the
Corps was playing music and marching drill
and performing the tasks that we train for on
a daily basis. That first rehearsal was rough.
Perhaps it was two weeks of not marching. Perhaps it was two weeks of not
practicing. Perhaps the focus level was
dialed down one or two notches to
make room for the lingering doubts and fears
from the 11th. By the second go-round for
the rehearsal, however, the Corps was back
in fine form.
At his retirement ceremony on November
15, MSG Brian Pentony summed up the
feelings of the entire Corps. MSG Pentony
was the Snare-Drum Group Leader for more
than ten years and served in the Fife and
Drum Corps for twenty years. In his
remarks, he had this to say, "I've performed
in Spirit of America since '83, Inaugural
Parades for four Presidents, Tattoos and so
many other things. But the memory I will
cherish the most from my time here is having been part of The Old Guard Fife and
Drum Corps at its finest hour. That hour
came on September 11 and the days that followed."
May 2002
1775
27
The United States Army Band "Pershing's Own"
& 11 September 2001
by Sergeant First Class Michael L. Yoder, Historian, The US Army Band "Pershing's Own"
Performances Related to the Events of
11 September 2001and its Aftermath
Billy Graham spoke during the service.
The orchestra performed a prelude that
included the musical selections "JFK" and
"Battle Hymn of the Republic". The
group's rendition of "JFK" was outstanding. "JFK"'s sonorous and haunting trumpet
solo was performed by Staff Sergeant
Terry Bingham with the highest degree of
musical excellence. Opera star Denyce
Graves also sang during the service.
On 16 September 2001, The United
States Army Brass Quintet performed at a
worship service for families of the
Pentagon victims. The service was held at
the Crystal City Sheraton where many of
these families were staying. The quintet
Sergeant Ron Gutierrez (vocals), Sergeant
First Class Lou Durham (keyboards),
Master Sergeant Mike McReynolds (bass),
On 11 September 2001, The United
and Sergeant First Class Frank Carroll
States Army Ceremonial Band performed a
(drums).
Full Honor Funeral in Arlington National
On 19 September 2001, a combo from
Cemetery shortly before the terrorist plane
The United States Army Band "Pershing's
crashed into the Pentagon. The funeral was
Own" provided music for the military and
a 0830 PCT-65, i.e. the funeral began at
civilian personnel of Camp Unity (tent
0900 at Patton Circle where the casket was
city) at the Pentagon disaster site. The
transferred to the caisson and escorted to
combo performed on stage in the food tent
section 65 of the cemetery where the burial
for approximately one hour. Patriotic music
ceremony took place. Section 65 is in close
interspersed with lighter selections was
proximity to the wall of the Pentagon that
performed. The duty uniform was BDUs.
was damaged in the attack. Sergeant First
The combo consisted of Master Sergeant
Class Paul Klontz was the bugler who
Myles Overton (drums), Sergeant First
sounded Taps at the funeral. The
Class Lou Durham (piano), Sergeant
band completed the ceremony and
Major Dallas Smith (bass), Master
was on board buses headed through
Sergeant Wilbert MacMillon (conthe cemetery, back to Fort Myer,
gos), Sergeant First Class Mercy
when the plane flew overhead and
Diez (vocalist), and Sergeant First
crashed into the Pentagon.
Class Harry Waters (trombone).
Sergeant First Class Maria De La
On 2 October 2001, The United
Cerda, drum major for the 0830
States Army Chorus performed on
funeral, witnessed the actual event.
the "Larry King Live" show.
At the completion of the funeral she
Because of the events of 11
began walking to her car that was
September 2001, Larry King was
parked near Patton Circle. Along the
closing every show with a patriotic
way, she stopped near the intersecsegment. The group performed
tion of Arnold Drive and MacArthur
"America The Beautiful" during the
Drive to talk with Mr. Cox, a welllast three minutes of the show.
known bus driver. From this locaChorus members expressed that the
US Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, left, and Chairman of the Joint
tion, she heard a sonic boom and
performance went exceptionally
Chiefs of Staff, General Richard Myers, stand at the impact point of the
then saw a "silver streak" overhead
well. Additionally, Chief Warrant
Pentagon, hit by a hijacked airliner on Sept. 11. The ceremony marked the
followed by a two-tiered fireball and three-month anniversary of the attack, and Rumsfeld vowed that the US military Officer Robert Nixon, musical direcan "incredible mushroomed, black
tor and officer-in-charge of chorus,
would keep pursuing those responsible for the attack.
-Dayna Smith/The Washington Post
cloud of smoke."
was interviewed by Larry King.
On 12 September 2001, The
On 5 October 2001, The United
United States Army Chorus performed at
performed a prelude, postlude, and accomStates Army Herald Trumpets performed
the Congressional Prayer Service held in
panied hymns as the attendees sang. They
on New York City's WB11 morning show.
the Capitol Rotunda. "God Bless America"
also performed God Bless America as the
The music performed was "Salute To A
was performed and both the Senate and the attendees sang with them. Four
New Beginning", "This Is My Country",
House of Representatives were in attenrelatives/survivors of Pentagon victims
and "Olympic Fanfare and Theme". The
dance.
spoke during the service. Quintet member
group's appearance was intended as a patriOn 14 September 2001, The United
Sergeant Major Dennis Edelbrock reports
otic tribute to the 11 September 2001 vicStates Army Orchestra performed for the
that the service was "very moving".
tims and as a promotional for the Avery
National Prayer Service held at the
On 16 September 2001, a combo from
Fisher Hall concert.
National Cathedral. This service was part
The United States Army Chorale perOn 5 October 2001, The United States
of the National Day of Prayer &
formed at Six Flags Over Maryland. This
Army Brass Quintet performed on New
Remembrance for the victims of the 11
performance was originally a promotional
York City's WCBS morning show.
September 2001 attacks. President George
for "Spirit of America" but was changed
Between 0450 and 0700 the group was
W. Bush, many members of Congress, and
into a patriotic "Spirit of the Army"
used approximately a dozen times. This
several former presidents were in attenbecause of the events of 11 September
included two feature "spots". These perdance. President Bush and the Reverend
2001. The combo was comprised of Staff
formances were used to promote the band's
28
1775
www.agregiment.com
Avery Fisher Hall concert and as a patriotic
tribute to the 11 September 2001 victims.
On 5 October 2001, The United States
Army Chorus appeared on the NBC Today
Show. "Battle Hymn of the Republic", "A
Hero For Today", and "America The
Beautiful" were performed. Staff Sergeant
Steve Cramer was the featured soloist on
"A Hero For Today". Today show host Ann
Curry interviewed Colonel Gary F. Lamb,
leader and commander of The United
States Army Band "Pershing's Own", about
the band's upcoming performance at Avery
Fisher Hall in Lincoln Center.
Army Band "Pershing's Own" performed a
concert in Avery Fisher Hall, Lincoln
Center, New York City, NY. This performance served as a tribute to the World Trade
Center victims and the policeman, firemen,
rescue teams, etc, that served the nation
during the rescue and recovery effort.
Participating elements included the Concert
Band, Herald Trumpets, Strings, and
Chorus. Army Vice Chief of Staff, General
Keane, introduced the band and also spoke
personally to the band at the conclusion of
the concert.
Army Band "Pershing's Own" performed at
Ground Zero, New York City for the men
and women participating in the rescue,
recovery, and clean up efforts. The event
was a memorial service that included music
and prayer. Mayor Rudy Giuliani was in
attendance. "America The Beautiful" and
"God Bless America" were performed.
Sergeant First Class Bob McDonald was
the vocal soloist as everyone sang along
with the band during "God Bless America".
Several band members expressed that the
images from television did not prepare one
for the magnitude of destruction.
On 7 October 2001, Staff Sergeant
Alvie Powell sang The National Anthem at
Arlington's Day of Remembrance and
Appreciation held at the Washington-Lee
High School stadium. The event was a tribute to the Pentagon victims and those who
assisted in the aftermath. Virginia Governor
Jim Gilmore, Senator John Warner, and
Representative James Moran were featured
speakers at the service and the event was
hosted by Doreen Gentzler, co-anchor of
local NBC channel 4.
Army Chorale performed as part of a joint
service chorus at the Department of
Defense Service of Remembrance "United
In Memory". This service was held in
memory of the victims of the attack on the
Pentagon. The service marked 30 days
since the tragedy and was held at the Mall
entrance to the Pentagon. During the service, names of the victims were scrolled
across several large screens. President
George W. Bush, Secretary of Defense
Donald Rumsfeld, and Chairman of the
Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Richard
Myers spoke during the service. Former
President William Clinton and Senator
Hillary Rodham Clinton were in attendance. Approximately 25,000 people were
present.
On 12 October 2001, Staff Sergeant
Dan Snyder performed at the memorial
service for Lieutenant Colonel Kip Taylor.
Lieutenant Colonel Taylor was the aid to
the Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel,
Lieutenant General Maude. Both
Lieutenant Colonel Taylor and Lieutenant
General Maude were killed in the terrorist
attack on the Pentagon. The service was
held at the Fort Myer Memorial Chapel and
according to Staff Sergeant Snyder the
Army Chief of Staff, General Eric
Shinseki, sat on the front row. Staff
Sergeant Snyder performed "Bridge Over
Troubled Waters", "Edelweiss", "God Bless
America", and some additional hymns.
On 18 October 2001, a quartet from The
United States Army Chorus appeared at a
Washington Wizards intra-squad game. The
game was played as a tribute to the
Pentagon rescue workers. Only the rescue
workers and District of Colombia VIP's
were in attendance. The quartet performed
The National Anthem and "God Bless
America". The quartet consisted of
Sergeant First Class Bob McDonald,
Sergeant First Class Antonio Guliano, Staff
Sergeant Alec Maly, and Staff Sergeant
Steve Cramer.
As of 5 November 2001, The United
States Army Ceremonial Band has participated in 19 funerals for victims of the
Pentagon attack. This includes 13 Full
Honor funerals, three Sergeant Major Full
Honor funerals, and three Standard Honor
funerals. The unit provides a band for Full
Honor Funerals, a drummer and bugler for
Sergeant Major Full Honor funerals, and a
bugler for Standard Honor funerals.
The band also had many additional
duties related to the events of
11 September 2001.
From 11 September 2001 through 21
September 2001, personnel from the unit's
audio and lighting section provided roundthe-clock lighting and electrical support in
and around the Pentagon disaster site. As
rescue and recovery operations were initiated, unit personnel were immediately dispatched to the disaster site with generators.
Soldiers set-up, maintained, and repaired
all generators. These efforts fulfilled the
ongoing electrical needs of both the military and civilian entities involved in the onsite operations. This massive effort also
included providing lighting support during
the night for continuous operations by the
civilian fire and rescue teams, disaster personnel, and all additional supporting agencies involved.
During the period 11 September 2001
through 30 September 2001, unit representatives served round-the-clock at the
Emergency Operations Center (EOC) on
Fort McNair. Duties involved addressing
all concerns related to the Pentagon terrorist attack to include funeral issues, patriotic
musical protocols and the ethics, customs,
and courtesies thereof.
From 13 September 2001 through 26
September 2001, unit personnel provided
round-the-clock administrative assistance in
credentialing individuals for access to the
Pentagon disaster area. Due to heightened
security, the creation of photo identification
was required for all individuals engaged in
the rescue and recovery operations. During
the 13 days of operational support, army
band personnel assisted The United States
Secret Service in processing over 10,000
identification badges.
During the period 11 September 2001
through 30 September 2001, personnel
from the unit's transportation section were
assigned as driver escorts. Driver escort
duties consisted of transporting designated
Casualty Assistance Officers from the
Military District of Washington area to
Dover Air Force Base in Delaware.
Anecdotal Information Related to the
Events of
11 September 2001and its Aftermath
During his duty shift at the Emergency
Operations Center, Master Sergeant Walt
Todenhoft was instrumental in procuring
the large garrison flag that was unfurled
near the damaged area of the Pentagon.
General Jackson, commander of the
Military District of Washington, directly
requested that this flag be obtained after he
remembered seeing it at the unit's 1812
concert. Through numerous phone calls,
May 2002
1775
29
Master Sergeant Todenhoft diligently pursued the location of this
flag until it was obtained from the
Fort Myer Flag Shop.
Staff Arranger Sergeant First
Class Paul Murtha composed
"Heroic Fanfare" specifically for
the Avery Fisher Hall Concert on
6 October 2001 in New York City.
This composition was written as a
tribute to the firemen, policemen,
and transit authority who lost their
lives on 11 September 2001. The
piece is scored for herald trumpets
and the caption under the title
reads: Dedicated To The Men &
Women Of The New York City
Fire Department, Police
Department, And Transit
Authority Who Lost Their Lives
In The Line Of Duty…September
11th 2001 A.D. The United States
Army Herald Trumpets performed
this piece to open the concert on 6
October 2001 at Avery Fisher
Hall.
In direct response to a demand
for patriotic music after the events
of 11 September 2001, The United
States Army Concert Band recorded a compact disc of patriotic
selections entitled "A Hero For
Today".
Staff Sergeant Alec Maly was
scheduled to sing The National
Anthem at the Washington
Redskins vs. the Arizona Cardinals
NFL game on 16 September 2001.
Because of the events of 11
September 2001, the game was
cancelled and Staff Sergeant Maly
was rescheduled to sing the
National Anthem at the
Washington Redskins vs. the
Seattle Seahawks NFL game on 4
November 2001.
For several days after the terrorist attacks, the unit's duties in
Arlington National Cemetery were
halted. After the plane hit the
Pentagon on 11 September 2001,
funerals in Arlington National
Cemetery were canceled for the
remainder of the day and in the
next few days, most, if not all,
funerals were either cancelled or
postponed at the request of family
members.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
30
1775
The US Continental Army Band
A Positive Presence
In early October 2001, minus eight folks back for security missions, The US Continental Army
Band - TUSCAB - from Fort Monroe, Virginia, traveled to New York City and Pittsburgh and performed missions that were all very well received. The band was most definitely a visible, positive
presence for TRADOC and the Army.
Our first performance was in Grand Central Station. This venue provided access to thousands
of people on their way into work. Many citizens missed their normal trains or were late to work
because they stayed to listen. The special events coordinator for the MTA asked us to return Grand
Central a second day and the coordinator for Penn Station called to request us after hearing the performance in Grand Central Station. In addition, the coordinator for Bryant Park and Grace Plaza
attended the performance on the second day.
Our visit to Central Park was coordinated through the NYC Parks department. We performed
noontime performance for hundreds of people on their lunch hour.
We conducted a noontime performance at Bryant Park, adjacent to the NYC Public Library.
This very popular lunchtime venue attracted thousands.
Another noontime performance was held at Grace Plaza, also adjacent to the NYC Public
Library. This was another very popular lunchtime venue. As we played, the sponsor passed out
small American flags to the audience.
At Penn Station, we had a reception similar to the one at Grand Central Station - access to thousands of people on their way into work. Again, many citizens missed their normal trains or were
late to work because they stayed to listen.
We next travel to Baldwin High School on Long Island to perform a well-attended evening concert for the community. Like many communities in the NYC region, this community suffered
many losses due to the attacks of 11 September. Some of the victims' families attended the concert
and were most appreciative.
Next was North Shore High School on Long Island, another well-attended evening concert for
the community. The local government officials invited the American Legion to present the colors
and had representatives from the Fire Department, Police Department, and a Special Forces Soldier
at the concert. Also in attendance were family members of the local Fire Chief who lost his life at
the WTC. They were "very moved and uplifted" by our performance.
TUSCAB performed two assembly concerts for the students, staff and some parents at Udall
Middle School on Long Island. Several of the students lost parents in the WTC. The widow of
one victim attended the first assembly concert. Through tear-filled eyes, she thanked us profusely
for performing and told us how much the performance helped lift her spirits. Her daughter attended the second assembly concert.
We also made contact with the NYC Mayors office press secretary for Ground Zero operations,
who would very much like to have us perform for upcoming memorial tributes/activities. Bronx
Council Member, Lucy Cruz tried to arrange for us to perform in the Bronx. Unfortunately, her
staff was not able to coordinate anything in the short time we were there.
The US Army Band performed a public concert (scheduled months ago) on Saturday at Avery
Fisher Hall, and another brief performance Sunday morning during a prayer service at Ground
Zero.
During the Pittsburgh Steelers Game, the Band performed outside Heinz Field from 1045-1215.
Some of the performance was broadcast live as part of the local pre-game show (KDKA TV, a
CBS affiliate). Many people stopped to listen and cheer as we played patriotic selections.
Following the administering of the oath of enlistment for new enlistees, TUSCAB played
"America the Beautiful" from the south end zone - broadcast live to the jumbotron in the stadium
and regionally to a three state area. The Band's performance at half-time was canceled. Instead
we watched President Bush's address on the jumbotron with everyone else. Attendance at the game
was over 62,300.
www.agregiment.com
160th SOAR
Honors Fallen Americans
by Captain Holly Turner
While flying missions in support of
Operation Enduring Freedom, members
of the 160th Special Operations Aviation
Regiment (SOAR), located at Fort
Campbell, Kentucky, carried with them
symbols of those individuals who were
killed by the tragic events on September
11. The "Night Stalkers," as members of
the unit are called, proudly wore and displayed flags, patches and other items as
a show of unity
and as a tribute
to America's
fallen heroes.
with them two American flags. Before
departing, the flight lead took out a piece
of paper and wrote a simple note to
President Bush. "Sir, with all our
respect, sense of duty, honor and patriotism for our great nation, we are honored
to carry this precious cargo. God bless
the United States of America and God
bless the US military." Each crewmember then signed the letter before walking
The recognition
began after a
service member,
who volunteered
to help remove
wreckage at
ground zero,
gave the 160th
pieces of that
wreckage to
bury in
Afghanistan. He A 160th SOAR crew chief with the flight attendant's wings pinned onto his body
also gave mem- armor just before they departed for a mission.
- Photo by Specialist David Barela
bers of the unit
dozens of New
York City fire and police department
out in the darkness for their mission into
patches. The pilots and crews wore these the unknown.
patches on their uniforms, symbolically
bringing the New York City fire and
"You were going some place that no one
police departments with them on their
else had been," the air mission comflights in the war on terrorism. They also mander said later. "There was an intense
painted "NYFD" and various New York
level of uncertainty and such an adrenaCity fire department logos on their heliline rush."
copters.
They successfully returned and immedi"Wearing the patches constantly remind- ately following the debriefing session, a
ed us of what started this whole war,"
commander read that letter aloud.
said one 160th SOAR pilot. "They want- "Everyone stood a little taller after that
ed us to wear them in honor of their fall- first mission," said a Night Stalker pilot.
en comrades. When this whole thing is
A Special Forces team later raised one of
over, we're planning on meeting the fire- the flags at the US embassy in Kabul.
men and exchanging a few stories."
The second flag made its way to the
White House.
The 160th SOAR flew the very first helicopter flight into Afghanistan, carrying
Perhaps most touching though was hon-
oring a special request made by a father
in memory of his daughter, a flight attendant who was serving on one of the
hijacked planes.
"Would it be possible," the father wrote,
"to have some soldier, some good man
or woman, carry these wings with them
in our war against terrorism? These
wings were pinned on me by our daughter's wingmate on the day of her memorial. I wore them that day and as we
closed out our daughter's apartment and
her life. I wore them to ground zero,
where the evil invaders of our country
and our lifestyle hurled themselves into
hell and killed 5,000 innocent civilians.
They are of sturdy medal, having resisted a lot of tears and sweaty palms, without tarnishing. My intent was to return
them to her wingmate, but I want them
to travel to action first for my daughter."
A solemn "hoo-ah" filled the briefing
tent after the letter was read. A crew
chief immediately asked if he could wear
the wings.
"After hearing the letter, I thought it
would be a real honor to fly with them,"
said Staff Sergeant Mark. "I'd just like to
thank her father for giving me that privilege." While pinned on his body armor,
the flight attendant's wings flew into
action more than 20 times.
As soldiers and citizens of America, the
Night Stalkers said it was a true privilege to carry the precious cargo, to wear
the patches and to fly with the fire and
police department logos, and they thank
those who gave them such an honor.
America can take heart knowing that
their military will fight the war on terrorism until it is won, and especially the
160th SOAR whose motto says it all --
"Night Stalkers don't quit."
May 2002
1775
31
Heroes Show America’s Resolve
by Lieutenant Colonel Bob Ortiz
September 11, 2001 - The Pentagon
Mankind's inhumanity to man has been
well documented throughout history. On
September 11, 2001, another chapter to the
barbarism of international terrorist played out
at the Pentagon between corridors 4 and 5.
At approximately 9:38 a.m. five terrorists
flew American Airlines Flight 77, with 64
passengers and crew loaded with 30,000 gallons of jet fuel, into the west face of the
Pentagon. Catastrophic damage was done to
the support columns on the first and second
floors. Fireballs fed by the jet's fuel exploded and initially spread laterally down the
hallways of the Pentagon's outer rings (E and
D Ring respectively). The Navy's Pentagon
Command Center was located on the first
floor and the Army G-1 Staff Directorate
were located on the second floor in the direct
impact area.
The terrorists achieved their initial goal
of creating horrific shock and chaos by their
surprise attack. But in the midst of the hell
that followed, heroes emerged to save lives
and showed America's resolve to overcome
this act of international terrorism. This article
focuses on those members of the Army G-1
who made a difference on September 11,
2001.
The following soldiers were awarded the
Soldier's Medal for heroism and the Purple
Heart for injuries sustained in the attack.
Snippets of their actions are provided after
their names.
COL Philip McNair, LTC Marilyn
Wills and SPC Michael Petrovich.
Overcoming the shock, chaos, and deadly
smoke, these soldiers aided in the rescue
efforts of many. These soldiers led a group
that was trapped on the second floor in an
inner conference room next to the E Ring
through the smoke and falling debris to a
window along the B Ring. Once there, SPC
Petrovich smashed out a second story window and helped to systematically lower all
individuals to the ground floor. LTC Wills
remained in the building at the window using
her voice to direct more casualties to the
escape route. COL McNair made an attempt
in vain to search for more casualties before
being forced to evacuate due to the thick
smoke and flames. Upon evacuating, COL
McNair reentered the building through holes
along the first floor, after hearing calls for
help, he moved debris freeing trapped sur32
1775
vivors helping them to safety. These soldiers
risked their life by remaining in the building
to render assistance to disoriented, trapped,
and injured personnel, undoubtedly saving
lives.
LTC Robert Grunewald. LTC
Grunewald aided in a rescue effort leading
individuals hurt and disoriented to safety.
His voice was heard throughout the burned
out wedge of The Pentagon encouraging people to continue moving and directing them to
follow his voice. After reentering the wedge,
LTC Grunewald continued to use his voice
to urge people in his direction toward an
available exit. LTC Grunewald risked his
life by remaining in the building and rendering assistance to the disoriented and injured
personnel as they attempted to evacuate the
building.
LTC Victor Correa. LTC Correa aided
in the rescue effort by immediately picking
people up that were blown to the ground
after the initial impact and blast of the
hijacked plane. He then completed a sweep
of his entire area and called out to the inner
section of the Pentagon wedge one last time
before being forced to evacuate because of
the dense smoke and intense heat. After
evacuating, LTC Correa remained at the fire
door holding it open despite the increasing
smoke. He was able to save several individuals who otherwise would have perished
behind the fire door.
MAJ John Grote. MAJ Grote aided in
the rescue effort by leading a group into the
D Ring area to search for trapped personnel.
After smoke and intense heat forced his
evacuation, MAJ Grote reentered the building through holes along the first floor after
hearing calls for help. MAJ Grote then
manned a fire extinguisher and moved debris
freeing trapped survivors and helping them
to safety. MAJ Grote risked his life by
remaining in the building and then by reentering the building to render assistance to
disoriented, trapped, and injured personnel,
undoubtedly saving lives.
SGM Tony Rose. SGM Rose aided in
the rescue effort by making his way to a fire
door and then using his voice as a beacon to
lead people to the door and safety. Despite
the risk of personal injury as the heat, smoke
and flames approached the door, SGM Rose
remained at the door holding it open for
numerous people to escape. After the smoke
and heat became unbearable, SGM Rose
evacuated the building. After hearing calls
for help, and without regard for his personal
safety, SGM Rose quickly reentered the
building through holes along the first floor,
and moved debris freeing trapped survivors
and helping them to safety.
Soldier's Medal for heroism. A snippet of
their actions is provided after their names.
COL John Davies, COL Karl
Knoblauch, Jr., COL Roy Wallace, LTC
Gerald Barrett, LTC Tom Cleary and
LTC William McKinnon. These soldiers
aided in the rescue effort by reentering the
fourth corridor and helping two badly burned
individuals from the area engulfed by fire
and smoke. They then stripped their shirts
off and, after soaking them, used their shirts
as a breathing filter to reenter the fifth corridor of the building. The team immediately
encountered and then helped to safety individuals suffering from severe smoke inhalation. These soldiers risked their lives by
remaining in the building and rendering
assistance to disoriented and injured personnel. Their heroic actions helped save lives.
Purple Heart for injuries sustained in the
attack.
LTC Michael Beans
LTC Gregory Fritz
LTC(P) Philip Smith
LTC Robert Snyder
LTC Marion Ward
MAJ Regina Grant
MAJ John Jessup
MAJ John Thurman
SGM Ronald Houle
SFC Michael Weaver, Sr.
The following individuals were awarded the
Defense of Freedom Medal.
Ms. Martha Carden
Ms. Betty Maxfield
Ms. Dalisay Olaes
Ms. Ann Parham
Ms. Valecia Parker
Ms. Wendy Peer
Ms. Lois Stevens
Ms. Tracy Webb
Mr. John Yates
Everyone who served at The Pentagon on
September 11 was on the front lines of a new
war. These are just some of the heroic acts
that were recognized that day. This article is
a tribute to all our Army heroes living and
deceased who sacrificed for the freedom we
all hold dear.
www.agregiment.com
H EROES
THE SOLDIERS AND CIVILIANS LISTED HERE RECEIVED AWARDS FOR THEIR ACTIONS FOLLOWING THE SEPTEMBER 11TH
TERRORIST ATTACK ON THE PENTAGON.
SOLDIER'S MEDAL AND THE PURPLE HEART
SSG Christopher Braman
LTC Victor Correa
SGT Roxane Cruz-Cortes
MAJ John Grote
LTC Robert Grunewald
COL Philip McNair
CPT Darrell Oliver
SPC Michael Petrovich
SGM Tony Rose
LTC Marilyn Wills
DISTINGUISHED CIVILIAN SERVICE FOR BRAVERY
Stuart Fluke
Janice Jackson
James Knickerbocker
Jeffrey Moore
SOLDIER'S MEDAL
EXCEPTIONAL CIVILIAN SERVICE FOR BRAVERY
LTC Paul Anderson
MAJ Victor Badami
COL Gerald Barrett
LTC Thomas Cleary III
LTC Kenny Cox
COL John Davies
LTC Adrian Erckenback
CW5 Paul Heggood
MAJ Michael Kerzie
CPT John Lamm'e
LTC William McKinnon
COL Karl Knoblauch, Jr.
COL Edwin Morehead
LTC Danny Pummill
MAJ David Richardson
SGT Matthew Rosenberg
MAJ Patrick Tennis
COL Roy Wallace
Lee Ann Gutwald
David Theall
Linda G. Moore
PURPLE HEART
CPL Eduardo Brunoporto
LTC Michael Beans
LC Brian Birdwell
LTC Lawrence Dudney, Jr.
LTC Gregory Fritz
SPC April Gallop
MAJ Regina Grant
SGM Ronald Houle
MAJ John Jessup
CPT Lincoln Leibner
LTC Phil Smith
LTC Robert Snyder
LTC Marion Ward
SFC Michael Weaver, Sr.
MAJ David King, Jr.
COL Larry Thomas
MAJ John Thurman
DEFENSE OF FREEDOM MEDAL
Martha Carden
Stephanie Brown
Glen Heffel
Luticia Hook
Racquel Kelley
Louise Kurtz
Betty Maxfield
Sheila Moody
Dalisay Olaes
Ann Parham
Valecia Parker
Wendy Peer
Juan Santiago-Cruz
Wayne Sinclair
Mark Skipper
Patrick Smith
Lois Stevens
William Wright
John Yates
Alan Wallace
May 2002
1775
33
Sacrifice
by Lieutenant Colonel Steven N. Miller,
AG Branch Chief, OPMD, PERSCOM
When I think of the word "sacrifice,"
several images come to mind. Jesus
Christ sacrificed himself for the forgiveness of sins. Throughout time, warriors sacrificed themselves in conflict.
Today, baseball players sacrifice fly to
drive in runs.
In your experience, perhaps you've
sacrificed an ideal, or a principle or a
personal preference in order to accomplish the right objective or to do the
right thing. Certainly, you and I believe
that we've sacrificed during our lives.
Just as certainly, we've witnessed sacrifice. Yet, like everything else in life,
we realize that some sacrifices have
greater impact and meaning than others.
From the Majors Assignment Desk
by Major Michael A. Scudder, AG Majors Assignment Officer
As we all know, September 11, 2001,
brought terrorism to our nation's front door
and the AG Corps. We lost our most senior
personnel leader, officers, soldiers, and
civilians of the AG Corps. In remembrance
of their significant contributions and sacrifices to our service while on active duty, I
would like to extend my sincere gratitude
to them and deepest sympathy to the family
of our AG major lost that tragic day. Major
Dwayne Williams, 40, from Alabama, was
assigned to the Office of the Deputy Chief
of Staff for Personnel. He served in the
Army for 13 years and is survived by his
wife Tammy, son Tyler, and daughter
Kelsie.
Assignment Update
Of the 270 AG majors in the Army, 115
(43%) will be moving during the summer
assignment cycle, June through September
2002. For officers who are not assigned to
fixed tour locations (USAREC, MEPs,
USMA, Joint, and ROTC), the majority are
averaging approximately 24 months time
on station. The goal is to get officers into a
summer cycle rotation. If you have a year
month availability date that is not in the
summer rotation cycle you may want to
consider extending, because assignment
options are limited during the winter cycle,
October through May.
There is now a requirement to identify
officers for assignment to Korea one year
in advance when possible. Officers who
have not had to serve an unaccompanied
tour or have a date returned from overseas
(DROS) over 5 years old should anticipate
a call from the assignments officer. Korea
has a large number of branch qualifying
positions. These positions are must-fills and
have to be complete prior to other assignment locations being validated for fill.
What occurs to me when I think of
the meaning of sacrifice, is that it often
becomes the catalyst for a greater event
and a greater result. That the greater
event and greater result brings honor to
not only those who suffer, but also to
those who endeavor. We are now
engaged in a great event in the name of
humanity. The loss of our comrades,
loved ones, fellow Americans, and
those we'll never know, will never be
forgotten. Their sacrifice will continue
to inspire all Americans, indeed all of
mankind, to fight for the right of selfdetermination without fear of cowardly
sneak attack. Their sacrifice will preserve the principles and ideals of freeArmy Congressional Fellowship
dom, and will inspire our forces to
Program, 2004
stamp out forever the dark enemy that
chooses not to understand or embrace
This program is designed to educate and
the value of human life. God bless our train selected Army officers and civilians in
fallen comrades.
congressional activities, emphasizing those
matters regarding the Department of
Defense. The FY04 ACFP supersedes all
previous congressional fellowship programs. It will begin August 2003 and end at
34
1775
the conclusion of the Second Session of the
108th Congress (approximately
October/November 2004). Selected officers
and civilians begin the fellowship with a
HQDA orientation from August 2003 until
December 2003. Military fellows will be
temporarily assigned to the Army
Secretariat or Staff in support of the legislative affairs function. Civilian fellows
remain in their current position if it is in the
geographic area. All fellows participate in
the orientation, which includes a variety of
meetings and seminars, educational readings, and attendance at the one-week Force
Integration Course. After the HQDA orientation, fellows complete a classroom phase
with the institution or foundation chosen as
the FY04 ACFP sponsor. Fellows will then
serve as staff assistants to Members of
Congress during the First Session of the
108th Congress. Fellows are typically given
responsibility for drafting legislation,
arranging congressional hearings, writing
speeches and floor statements, and briefing
Members for committee deliberations and
floor debate. Military fellows incur an
active duty service obligation of not less
than three times the length of the fellowship IAW Army Regulation 350-100, paragraph 2-8(b). Civilian fellows also incur a
service obligation IAW Title 5, United
States Code, Section 410.309 and Section
4108. Immediately following the fellowship, military officers will be assigned to a
position requiring expert knowledge of the
operations of Congress for a two-year utilization. Civilian fellows return to their
position held prior to participating in the
ACFP. If you have any questions regarding
the program, refer to the Office, Chief
Legislative Liaison web site at
http://www.hqda.army.mil/ocll or AR 1202, Army Congressional Fellowship
Program.
The Army Selection Board will convene
on 3-5 December 2002 to select fellows.
Commanders and supervisors are encouraged to submit their top candidates for this
prestigious opportunity. Interested individuals should visit our website at
http://www.perscom.army.mil/opfamacs/Co
ngressional_NR.htm or contact Joel Strout
via email at Joel.Strout@hoffman.army.mil.
for more information.
www.agregiment.com
Captain’s
Assignments
Lieutenant’s
Assignments
by Captain Melinda Romero
by Captain Harold Riggins
ASSIGNMENTS FOR BRANCH QUALIFIED
CAPTAINS
Many of you have continued to inquire
about what type of assignment you will be
going to after command. There are a wide
variety of BQ assignments, like United
States Army Recruiting Command
(USAREC) and Active Component/Reserve
Component (AC/RC). There is a good
chance you will serve in one of those two
areas after you have commanded or become
branch qualified. The Corps AG currently
has 47 captain requirements in USAREC
and 27 in AC/RC. That equals over 35 percent of AG Branch's BQ captain assignments and represents the branch's two
largest BQ captain requirements.
The USAREC assignments for AG officers
are usually recruiting brigade and battalion
adjutants or personnel strength managers.
All USAREC positions are high priority,
two-year nominative assignments. Each
USAREC requirement is an AG specific
position doing AG specific work. Contrary
to what some may think, USAREC is not
the kiss of death to an Army career, and our
AG captains do extremely well.
The AC/RC is a congressionally mandated
program that provides active component
advisors to reserve component units. As a
result, AC/RC assignments are placed high
on our priority and by law must be filled.
Captains assigned to AC/RC units will
serve as unit trainers and operations/staff
officers in direct support of National Guard
and Reserve Component companies and
staffs. They ensure Reserve and Guard
units correctly train and perform critical
personnel service support functions such as
casualty, replacement and postal operations.
Officers assigned to AC/RC will serve a
minimum of two years.
Congratulations to our 91 AG lieutenants
selected for promotion to captain. This
achievement is a result of your hard
work, and is indicative of your potential
for positions of increased responsibility.
If we have not spoken recently, now is
the time for you to contact me to discuss
AG Captain's Career Course (CCC)
availability and your professional development issues.
All officers selected for promotion to
captain are required to complete a
Voluntary Indefinite acknowledgement
within thirty days of notification of promotion selection. This acknowledgement
will signify their acceptance or declination of VI status. Officers who decline
VI status will be separated on their original obligation date and will not receive
separation pay. Failure to submit a VI
acknowledgement will result in their
being automatically tendered into a voluntary indefinite status and obtaining a
one-year active duty service obligation.
Please refer to the FY02 Captain's
Promotion List for instructions on how
to fill out the memorandum or go to
http://pcoltest/opag/vi_memo.htm for an
example VI acknowledgement memorandum. Once complete, please fax the
completed document to the PERSCOM
Retirements and Separations Branch at
(703) 325-0874.
Should you have any questions, please
give me a call.
Contact
the
AGCRA
AGCRA WEBSITE
www.agregiment.com
PRESIDENT AND CHIEF OF THE CORPS
president@agregiment.com
REGIMENTAL SERGEANT MAJOR
sgm@agregiment.com
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT
srvp@agregiment.com
VP, AWARDS
awards@agregiment.com
VP, PUBLICATIONS/EDITOR
magazine@agregiment.com
VP, MEMBERSHIP
membership@agregiment.com
ADJUTANT
adjutant@agregiment.com
TREASURER
treasurer@agregiment.com
SECRETARY
secretary@agregiment.com
SUTLER STORE
sales@agregiment.com
If you have any questions, please feel free
to give me a call.
Defend and Serve.
WEBMASTER
webmaster@agregiment.com
May 2002
1775
35
The Future Readiness Officer
by Captain Herb Daniel
Army Knowledge Online (AKO) is
rapidly moving to become the central
repository for Army web sites and access
to secured information. As part of the
Army Transformation, the personnel
community is moving rapidly toward
streamlining its systems and giving soldiers access to their military personnel
information on-line.
Only recently, PERSCOM has
implemented a new feature to AKO
called "OMPF Online" which allows you
to access your official military personnel
file, which is stored in the Personnel
Electronic Records Management System
(PERMS). Thanks to this great new system, you no longer have to send away for
a copy of your fiche. In the near future
you will be able to view your photo online. Eventually you will be able to view
and possibly update some of your personnel data through the web.
Once you establish your AKO
account, follow these instructions for
accessing your online OMPF:
We strongly encourage all officers to
sign up for an AKO account. With this
you receive an e-mail address that will
follow you throughout your career, eliminating the every 2-3 year updates and
ensuring that you receive the latest information from your assignment officer. To
access AKO as a new user, type
www.us.army.mil into your browser,
select "I'm a New User" and follow the
directions.
in.
1. Go to www.us.army.mil and sign
2. Click on "Personnel" located on
the left-hand side. Then click on
"Personnel" again.
3. Go to "My S-1 Personnel" and
click on "PERSCOM Officer Career
Management Knowledge Center".
4. Input your name and password to
review your file.
Good luck and remember AKO is
what you will need to continue to be successful.
Adjutant General Warrant Officer Update
by CW3 Richard L. Beard III, AG Warrant Officer Proponent
Hello. I'm CW3 Rick Beard and the
new AG Warrant Officer Proponent. I
will be working 420A proponency issues
until approximately August 2002. That is
when CW5 Jose Vigil is scheduled to
report in and assume the duties.
I've been extremely busy in my first
month on the job. My first major project
came on the second day of the job, that
was the "Rollback of Active Component
Warrant Officer Grade Structure." The
Chief of Staff of the Army (CSA)
approved the ADS XXI recommendation
that the ODCSPER/G1 constrain the
Active Component Warrant Officer grade
structure to the Total Warrant Officer
Study (TWOS) grade distribution. The
TWOS grade targets are 3.4% (CW5),
13.4% (CW4), 24.7% (CW3), and 58.5%
(CW2). To meet the CSA's approved
intent, we had to conduct a review and
analysis of the 420A WO grade structure
and initiate the appropriate Military
Occupational and Classification Structure
(MOCS) action. This effort resulted in
36
1775
our recommendation to re-grade 30 TDA
positions to achieve the proper grade distribution. Specifically, one W2 position
to W3, 28 W4 positions to W3, and one
W5 position to W4. The US Total Army
PERSCOM has received our recommendations and will roll up all the proponents'
recommendations into one MOCS action
and staff it to the MACOMs for response
in Jun 02.
It has also been a busy month reviewing WO 420A applications for the
USAREC WO selection board in March
2002. Unfortunately, there were some
soldiers who didn't get the word on the
change of the boards this year from May
and November to March and September
and weren't able to get their packets
processed in time. As of this writing,
there were 25 packets competing for 13
seats on the Active side. The select goal
for 420A this recruiting year is 25, so
there would be 12 seats remaining for the
September 16-20, 2002 board. If you
know of any NCOs who are planning to
apply, please help get the word out to
them to get their packets in as early as
possible to allow processing for waivers if
necessary. The USAREC WO team has
an excellent web page to help interested
candidates. Good luck to all who have
applied!
http://www.usarec.army.mil/hq/warrant/W
arrant.htm
I will be also working to update the
420A information posted on the AG
School web-page
http://160.150.31.102/woprop/woprop1.ht
m . Please check back often for updates.
Please feel free to contact me with any
questions or comments. I'm very eager to
work 420A issues and am looking forward to a productive PLM in May. I can
be reached at DSN 734-8331,
Commercial (803) 751-8331, or
Richard.Beard@jackson.army.mil.
Defend and Serve!
www.agregiment.com
Global Terrorism’s Effect
on
Military Postal Operations
by Captain Richard C. Hyde
The events of September 11, 2001, made a dramatic impact on
postal operations within the European Theater. As a postal platoon leader working within US Army Europe in Germany, I was
able to witness firsthand both the immediate and long-range
changes to military mail security and procedure that occurred following the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the
Pentagon.
Although many postal security elements had already been in
place prior to these tragic events, many felt that greater security
awareness was immediately necessary for safe and effective mail
operations within the European Theater. Mail security had
already been a major training requirement for all Military Postal
Service clerks, whether civilian or military.
Each clerk within my unit, for example, was required to receive
postal security training both as a new postal employee as well as
annually.
Generally, postal security training (recognition and treatment of
suspicious packages, notification, and evacuation procedures)
was emphasized a great deal prior to September 11.
Given our close proximity to many areas of global concern
(Bosnia, Kosovo, Macedonia), as well as the potential for terrorist action related to this, security was continually a predominate
source of caution for all military endeavors within the Theater.
This was especially true in military postal operations, as recent
mail bomb incidents both in the US and overseas had re-emphasized the unfortunate role that mail operations could take in the
delivery of explosive, chemical, and biological weapons.
As a result, all of my postal employees were familiar with what
to look for, and what to do if anything suspicious was found.
Immediately following the terrorist attacks in New York
City and Washington, DC, however, the operational tempo of my
post office, as well as all others in USAREUR, increased dramatically. Not only were my employees checking for "obvious"
physical indications of explosive devices in all incoming and outgoing mail, but clerks were instructed to pay close attention to
the lettering and addressing on all letters and packages.
Misspelled addresses, letters or packages addressed to high-ranking field commanders without return addresses, and other
addressing peculiarities became primary objects of great observation for both myself and my subordinates. Additionally, finance
mail clerks began to ensure that all customs declaration forms
were filled out with more attention to detail with specific items
indicated. Clerks began to be more careful with scrutinizing
every parcel, looking for any potential problem.
An even greater threat to postal security both in the Continental
US and overseas came later in 2001 with the discovery of
Anthrax spores in the mail. This caused a great deal of impact on
the European continent, as once again our proximity to several
areas of recent terrorist activity gave call for concern that biological terrorist acts might be launched at our forces overseas.
Although MPS mail security procedures were already at a high
operational tempo, postal security procedures stepped up to an
even greater level of observation, detection, and notification.
To combat the possibility that a postal employee might contract
Anthrax from touching an envelope or package containing the
biological weapon in its coetaneous (skin-infecting) form, all
postal employees (APO and mailroom) were instructed to wear
latex or surgical gloves at all times when in contact with any
piece of mail, both incoming and outgoing. Additionally, surgical
facemasks were circulated throughout USAREUR to all post
offices and mail rooms for potential use in the event that the
inhaled form of the biological weapon was discovered within the
theater.
Following the erroneous detection of Anthrax at several Army
post offices within USAREUR, I worked with my platoon sergeant to formulate a "remote location" plan.
Viewing that the presence, real or erroneous, of Anthrax in a
postal facility meant immediate closure and investigation, I
decided that a plan to pre-locate all necessary elements was
needed for postal operations at a different site for use following
any potential closure of my APO.
All items were compiled, inventoried, and put into a special storage site. Additionally, coordination was made with the area Base
Support Battalion to find a suitable alternate location for potential use as a temporary APO. In our case, this meant a structure
that had previously been used as a temporary post office (all
postal regulatory requirements with respect to structure and utilization were already met). Our remote location plan certainly
gave our APO much more security and stability within our military community.
I have only mentioned a small cross-section of the many steps
that military postal officers, NCOs, soldiers, and civilians have
taken to ensure safe, secure, and timely postal service in
USAREUR. While the terrorist attacks of September 11 exposed
the weakest areas of postal security procedures and policies, they
also inspired a great many people to come together and make our
military mail service safer for everyone.
May 2002
1775
37
SEPTEMBER 11 AT THE NEW YORK MEPS
by Captain Kristi J. Ramsey
The events of September 11 caused
much suffering nationwide and wreaked
havoc on the Adjutant General community. However, during this day and the days
immediately following, there were some
AG soldiers that rose to the challenges
that ensued and brought great credit upon
our community and the Army. I was fortunate enough to see a few of these soldiers.
The morning began just as any other. I
was the oath officer so I arrived early and
began my daily tasks. It was a heavy day
with 226 projected and of that, 104 civilians were shipping out to basic training to
become soldiers, sailors, marines, airmen
and women, and coastguardsmen and
women. By 0730 hours, nearly a fourth of
the shippers were already getting their
Pre-Accession Interviews, signing their
DD Form 93s and looking over their contracts. I walked out of my office to help
process the shippers when I noticed that
one of my processing NCOs was absent. I
told the NCOIC that I needed to see this
NCO when she arrived because when the
number of projected applicants and shippers is that high, we need everyone at the
MEPS and on time to handle the applicant
flow. A few moments later she arrived,
running into my office, saying, "Ma'am,
come here and look at the TV. A plane
just crashed into the world trade center."
From that moment on, the day seemed too
surreal to explain, and the last thing on
my mind was a soldier being a few minutes late. Every television in the MEPS
was on and every applicant could see the
terrible damage unfolding each new
minute in their beloved city. When the
second tower was hit as we watched, it
brought a dark cloud of smoke with it that
visibly changed the MEPS environment.
The MEPS personnel valiantly worked
while secretly wondering if their children,
families, or friends were at or near the
World Trade Center. After the television
showed countless pictures of the two tow-
ers collapsing, and then a third building in
the complex, the footage of the Pentagon
tragedy, and the downed plane in Ohio,
all hope was lost for a return to normalcy.
We were now in a national crisis and
doing our best to facilitate a smooth and
effective emergency management
response. The leadership had to make
decisions quickly; whether or not to
'swear' in shippers thus enlisting them into
active duty; how to transport these applicants if or when the airports shut down;
how to accommodate nearly 400 applicants that were either hold-overs from
September 11 or processing for September
12 in our contract hotel; what security
measures that Fort Hamilton and the
MEPS needed to implement yet would
facilitate recruiters, bus transport agents,
and applicants on and off post; and how
to get enough meals for these applicants
should they be stranded here for an
extended period of time.
I made the decision to let two of my
NCOs leave to pick up their children from
school because the school administration
was urging parents to get their children
home. SGT Charissa Seastrum and SGT
Melinda Pressley, both 71Ls, went to the
school their children attended and recognized several other children whose parents
also lived on Fort Hamilton. With traffic
deadlocked in many areas of the city, they
had to walk over two miles to the school.
From the school, they responded to the
devastated teachers pleas to take as many
children as they could back to Fort
Hamilton. They coordinated with the Fort
Hamilton Military Police and Post
Headquarters and soon had a bus on the
way to pick up all the children whose parents lived on post. After picking up several children from over 6 local area grade
and intermediate schools and escorting
them safely home, they came back to the
MEPS to help in any way that they could.
Back at the MEPS during this same time,
five medical specialists from our medical
section volunteered to help a triage unit at
Lutheran Hospital that was set up to handle the victims who were shuttled over to
Brooklyn from Manhattan by ferry. These
military personnel stayed until the early
hours of the morning and came into work
a few hours later ready for duty again.
As unimaginable and terrifying the entire
experience was and as long as those
extended hours and wait for guidance
dragged on, the MEPS personnel completed their tasks with the full knowledge that
the young men and women waiting to ship
out for basic training or entering into the
delayed entry program were doing so
amidst these uncertain times with no
reservations and that many more were on
their way in the next few days. These
attacks were more than just a nuisance;
they were a reality that took the lives of
soldiers and sailors that some of us once
worked with or for in the Pentagon.
What kept the New York MEPS a viable
processing option despite all the security
and traffic limitations, the lack of air travel and communication capabilities, was
our dedicated personnel and the foundation that our doctrine and emergency management plans laid for us. Doctrine is our
basis for all of our operations and proper
training according to that doctrine helps
us accomplish missions that we think
impossible at first. The personnel mentioned previously were neither heroes nor
heroines. They were simply performing
their duties. Their previous training, experiences, and initiative proved to be the
determining factors in successfully overcoming the events of September 11 and its
associated burdens on the New York area
and nation. In a time of great strife and
turmoil, there was a sense of relief and
pride in the AG soldiers serving with me
that we could handle any mission whenever or wherever it came.
May 2002
1775
38
Yesterday, on March 11, we noted the sixmonth mark since the day that no American
will ever -- or should ever -- forget.
So much has happened in that time. We
have buried our dead with the dignity and
honor they deserved. We have comforted
their family members and will always hold
them in our hearts and remember them in
our prayers. Those injured in the Pentagon
attack, many still bearing visible scars,
have returned to duty. Dedicated work
crews have made remarkable progress in
rebuilding the damaged part of the
Pentagon.
We have also made remarkable progress in
the war against terrorism. The regime that
for so long oppressed the Afghan people no
longer rules. Members of the Taliban
regime, as well as the al Qaeda terrorists
they supported, are either dead, in hiding,
cornered in pockets in the mountains or
being held as detainees at Camp X-Ray in
Cuba.
All this has taken place in the half year
since 9-11. As we start on the next six
months, we know we have much more to
do. The global war against terrorism is far
from over. The heaviest ground fighting yet
took place just last week during Operation
ANACONDA in eastern Afghanistan.
There will be more battles like it as our
forces continue to seek out, engage and
defeat the enemy. There will be other battlefronts outside Afghanistan, too, as we
either aid our allies to battle terrorism or
conduct combat operations unilaterally.
We take pride in the magnificent courage
and tenacity displayed by our fellow soldiers battling in the bitter cold and high
altitudes of the Afghan mountains against a
tough foe.
But we can also take tremendous pride in
what Army Reserve soldiers are doing to
defend our Nation and to defeat terrorism.
What we do may not make headlines, but
what the Army Reserve does helps ensure
victory.
We now have some 444 units and about
15,000 Army Reservists supporting the
ongoing operations around the globe. We
continue to be what we have been since
September 11 -- fully and decisively
engaged in countless ways:
Because of their capabilities in such areas
as force protection, security, investigation
support, internment operations and prisoner
transport, our Army Reserve Military
Police units are in high-demand. More than
Six Months
and a Day
After 9-11
half of our MP units have been called
up and more can expect to be mobilized.
Those units not yet called up will follow
the lead of such units as the 447th MP
Company from Akron and Zanesville,
Ohio, which is now serving at Fort
Leonard Wood, Mo., alongside its
active Army and Army National Guard
partners in a fully integrated battalion.
The example of the 447th is repeated
wherever our MPs serve, such as at
by MG Thomas J. Plewes, Chief, Army Reserve
Camp X-Ray, Guantanamo Bay, where
more than 200 Army Reserve MP solWe have seen that our enemy has plenty of
diers are serving.
fight left. We also know this conflict will
Another unit which has set the standard for
not end in Afghanistan.
others to follow is the 421st Quartermaster
Our challenge is to maintain our current
Company from Fort Valley, Ga. It helped
momentum in the months and perhaps
avert starvation and ease suffering in
years ahead, and to live up to the implicit
Afghanistan by rigging humanitarian loads
contract we have with every one of the
of food and cold weather materials for airthousands of soldiers we have called to the
drops to the people there.
colors. That contract is simple:
The 310th Chemical Company from Fort
McClellan, Ala., and its Biological
1. You will not be called without a mission.
Integrated Detection Systems, continues to
2. Once mobilized, you will not stay longer
provide early detection capabilities against
than necessary
biological attack for our citizens and our
3. Even though you are activated, we consoldiers wherever needed.
tinue to be responsible for you and your
It is not just our units that have performed
family.
well. Army Reserve soldiers are on the
ground in Kabul, forming much of the
The soldiers who have answered the
Coalition Joint Civil-Military Operations
Nation's call so promptly are heroes, plain
Task Force there.
and simple. We must continue to support
Dr. (Lt. Col.) Juan DeRojas, a vascular sur- them in this time of great sacrifice.
geon from Wilkes-Barre, Pa., provided a
We must apply the lessons learned from
capability that the Landstuhl Regional
units now serving so as to streamline our
Medical Center in Germany normally
procedures and facilitate the mobilization
lacked, making it possible to give our casu- of those called up in the future.
alties brought there from Afghanistan the
We must also be sure to properly welcome
best medical treatment.
our soldiers home like the heroes they are.
These are but a few brief snapshots.
They must be honored in the manner they
Everywhere that our citizen-soldiers have
deserve, as must all who follow them until
served and continue to serve, they do so
victory is finally achieved.
professionally and with great distinction.
Much has been accomplished in the six
As Gen. Tommy R. Franks, the
months since 9-11. Much more remains to
Commander-in-Chief of U.S. Central
be done today. Our resolve remains conCommand, recently said of the Reservists
stant: we are as committed to this struggle
supporting his operations, they "come
today as we were on the evening of
trained and ready to do the work."
September 11, when the flames and smoke
This no-nonsense assessment from the
still rose from the Pentagon, the World
warfighting CINC, which has been echoed
Trade Center and a quiet field in
by many others, shows the respect that the
Pennsylvania.
Army Reserve and the soldiers of the Army
Reserve have earned by their deeds. This
respect is not new. It had been well-earned
long before September 11. It will remain
long after this war is over and when we
Reprinted from the AR-PERSCOM Web
once again are at peace.
Site, www.2xcitizen.usar.army.mil.
Peace, however, may be long in coming.
May 2002
1775
39
A DAY THAT WAS NOT
BUSINESS AS USUAL
by Major Anita Chapman, Casualty and Memorial Affairs Operations Center, US Total Army Personnel Command
SEPTEMBER 11, 2001 started off as an
ordinary day. People were getting up,
going to work as usual, stopping for coffee, dropping their children off at school
or day care and waiting at bus stops or
Metro stations for their train. Virginia
Rail Express and Maryland Area Rapid
Commute train passengers were already
on their way to their destinations.
Commuters who use the "slug" line waited in the September heat for their rides.
("Slug" lines enable drivers to pick up
passengers at designated areas in order to
use the High Occupancy Vehicle Lanes of
three passengers or more on the Interstate
highways.) By 8:30 a.m., most government employees were at work or on their
way.
The 7 a.m. shift at the Operations Center
of the Casualty Operations Division
(COD) had arrived already. Everything
was operating normally. Cases of
deceased service members were being
worked and updates of any reportable sick
or injured personnel were being passed to
appropriate family members. To keep up
with current events, a television remains
on at all times. People in the office learn
to tune out much of the background noise.
However, all personnel keep their ears out
for various buzzwords which may alert
them of an event that will effect the
office. "Plane crash" is one such phrase.
"Explosion" is another.
At 8:46 a.m., the earth stood still. The
first World Trade Center tower was hit.
At 9:03 a.m., it couldn't have happened
again! The second tower is hit.
At 9:38 a.m., people were really frightened. The Pentagon was attacked!
At 10:40 a.m., the attacks came to an end
when the fourth plane crashed. This time
it was in Pennsylvania.
By noon, Washington, DC, and the sur-
40
1775
rounding areas resembled ghost towns.
Buildings were empty, lights were left on,
computers still up and running, personal
belongings still hanging on hooks or
tucked under desks, coffee cups were half
full, half-eaten donuts and Danish pastries
were left lying about. Those people who
saw and heard the attack on the Pentagon
later said it was the most frightening
moment of
their lives.
Evacuation orders were issued immediately throughout most government agencies
and civilian firms.
As rescue efforts began, PERSCOM
Casualty and Memorial Affairs Operation
Center (CMAOC) personnel were glued
to the television. People from other PERSCOM offices were also watching these
dreadful events as they unfolded. The
Noncommissioned Officer in Charge of
the Operations Center was concerned
because he had family members who
worked in the World Trade Center. The
Deputy Chief of the Casualty Operations
Division was on the phone with a colleague in the Deputy Chief of Staff for
Personnel's office when a loud boom
sounded and then sudden silence…
At the same moment, the Lead Casualty
Liaison saw the news crawler which said
the Pentagon had been hit. Both men
immediately told everyone in the area to
evacuate the building. The CMAOC contingency plans were activated. Working
files and active cases were put into a special case reserved for such emergencies.
Phones were forwarded to cell phones,
and portable computers were packed and
gathered up to evacuate the building.
This process is so refined the CMAOC
can set up an office anywhere.
Two thousand miles away in western
Iowa, a casualty Individual Mobilization
Augmentee (IMA) was glad he opted to
take the train rather than fly. His routine
annual training was scheduled to begin on
September 17th. Another casualty IMA
who works as a civilian in the Pentagon
had moved her office on the Thursday
prior to the attack. The old area was gutted by fire. In a small town in upstate
Mississippi, another casualty IMA was
working as parts manager at a car dealership there where there were no phone
calls or service for the rest of the day.
Normally, the dealership receives several
dozen service calls daily. By noon, the
town had shut down and everybody had
gone home to watch as our Nation reeled
from these devastating events. At Fort
Jackson, SC, the Chief of COD was
stranded at the airport. Luckily, she was
able to rent a car and drive back to
Alexandria, VA.
Military and civilian personnel in
CMAOC deal with death on a daily basis.
But this was different. This happened
about five miles from the Hoffman
Complex where they work. Most of them
knew at least one person who worked at
the Pentagon. "Are we next?" "Why is
this happening?" All these questions and
more were going through everyone's
mind. An officer recently assigned to the
COD had worked part of the clean up
action in Oklahoma City and had seen
firsthand the damage which resulted from
a terrorist attack. She saw the fire at the
Pentagon and relived the horror of seeing
such wanton destruction and innocent
people killed.
As CMAOC personnel gathered in the
parking lot rally point, the Deputy Chief
of COD arranged for the staff to travel to
their contingency operations site. This is
an area that is low-key and set up with
enough equipment to get through an
emergency before returning to the office
area. Once they rallied at the new location, the business of finding out "who,
what and where" began. "Why" however,
was the most asked question that day and
for days to follow. CMAOC returned to
www.agregiment.com
its normal location about 5 p.m. that day
and settled down for a long night of bad
news.
About two hours after the attack, the
PERSCOM Deputy Chief of Staff for
Operations established an accountability
hotline using a special "800" phone. This
hotline was created so personnel who
worked in the Pentagon had a central
location to report they were safe and families could call for updates in case family
members had not checked in with them.
All afternoon, civilian and military personnel were recalled and teams were contacting families to find out if their family
member had reported in or had come
home. Because firefighters and rescue
teams were working, there were no definitive numbers of remains and only an
incomplete list of names of the "unaccounted for". Until identification was
confirmed, all remains were carried in a
DUSTWUN (Duty status, whereabouts
unknown) status. The executive officer
for The Adjutant General Directorate was
sent to a local hospital to ensure accountability of the injured. He also spoke with
some of the injured personnel to accelerate accountability of missing personnel.
Fortunately, those who were in CMAOC
for the early morning meeting were some
of the most knowledgeable and experienced individuals in mortuary affairs planning and recovery operations. A senior
group went to the Pentagon to assess the
damage and requirements to assist in the
recovery of remains. Jurisdiction was an
immediate question … military, State, or
FBI? It was quickly resolved that it was a
crime scene (FBI) with military assist.
This partnership worked well. The mortuary affairs experts from CMAOC and the
visiting command representatives comprised the cadre of the recovery team and
worked the next numerous weeks at the
site. Mortuary Affairs units - the 54th
Quartermaster Company from Fort Lee,
Virginia, and the 311th Quartermaster
Company, an Army Reserve unit from
Puerto Rico - were eventually brought to
the scene.
Because records are maintained differently within the civilian agencies, it was difficult to obtain names and phone numbers
of the next of kin of civilian personnel.
Military personnel must fill out a DD
Form 93, Record of Emergency Data, and
it is kept on file at the Casualty Center.
All through the night and the next day, we
tried to compile a final list of dead and
injured personnel. As lists of people were
passed to the COD from various sources,
names were added and deleted from the
master list. Casualty Notification Officers
and Noncommissioned Officers were sent
to notify families that their loved ones
were "believed to be" unaccounted for.
Accountability on missing personnel was
completed late on the second day after the
attack.
Unfortunately, the nitty-gritty of the job
was just getting started. Now that the
Operations Center had a list of deceased
personnel and families had been notified,
Casualty Assistance Officers were being
assigned to meet with the families. At the
same time the Repatriation and Family
Affairs Division was setting up a Family
Assistance Center where family members
and their assigned CAOs could meet to
begin the paperwork process so benefits
could begin. That office, along with the
other armed services and civilian offices,
was formed to make this process easier.
The job was just beginning for Mortuary
Affairs and Casualty Support Division.
The recovered remains were taken to
Dover Port Mortuary in Delaware and the
identification process begun. MACS
stood up a liaison there to ensure proper
uniforms, awards and decorations, casketing, and shipment of remains was accomplished.
RFAD was designated to distribute information to family members and their
assigned CAOs through the FAC. This
information involved everything from status of their missing family member to
emergency funds for day-to-day survival.
The FAC was manned by employees of
the RFAD as well as many volunteers.
These employees are experienced with
family assistance as they work daily with
families from the Korean and Vietnam
Wars. The FAC had representatives from
the Red Cross, Army Emergency Relief,
and many, many other volunteer organizations committed to helping people in time
of need. Also included was the Armed
Forces DNA Identification Laboratory
(AFDIL). Because many victims were
burned severely, DNA was needed to confirm identification. The AFDIL collected
DNA samples from family donors and
explained the identification process.
The FAC was a crucial team from the
beginning. It provided a much needed
haven for families to congregate and share
their grief with one another. It was a central location for information release to
families and to gather information from
families to accelerate the identification
process. Every type of information was
helpful. Dental records, jewelry worn by
the victim, birthmarks, personal habits
such as taking a coffee break at a designated time, a missed appointment. Just
like a detective story, a small bit of information may be the key to solving a very
big question.
The FAC was closed in November; however, the military still maintains constant
contact with the families of the Pentagon
victims and the CAOs to provide assistance and to pass on any new benefits designated for these families. This method of
setting up an assistance center became a
model for future contingency operations.
This center was centrally located and colocated with other armed services. Most
families said the center was a positive
meeting place and acknowledged the system worked and worked well.
CMAOC took the lead in setting up a
Personal Effects Depot at Fort Myer to
recover, clean, catalogue, and return all
personal effects to the victims' families as
well as to the wounded and other survivors of the attack.
All three divisions of the Casualty and
Memorial Affairs Operations Center have
unique but supportive and concurrent
duties. It is a system set up to provide
maximum service to the Army families
who need our help. It is designed to make
notification of a death as soon as information is received, to ensure that benefits
and burial information are received and
carried out, and to help these families in
their time of sorrow.
May 2002
1775
41
On behalf of the Chief of the Corps and the Executive Council of
the Adjutant General's Corps Regimental Association, it is my
pleasure to congratulate the outstanding soldiers and civilians
listed below.
As you read this, I hope I have already received your award recommendations for your upcoming AG Balls or other recognition
ceremonies. If I haven't, there may still be time to process, prepare, and ship awards. If I have to use a service other than routine USPS, I will ask that you reimburse the higher costs that
will be incurred.
Eligibility for Awards: The AGCRA awards program is to honor
members of the Regimental Association for their contributions to
AGCRA, the AG Corps, and the Army. There is still some confusion in who is eligible for AGCRA awards. Affiliation in the
AG Corps and being a member of the Adjutant General's Corps
Regimental Association are not both automatic. Enlisted soldiers
become members of the AG Corps when they graduate AIT or
complete a reclass into an AG Corps MOS. Recruiters and
Retention NCOs become members of the AG Corps when they
become 79R or 79S. 2LTs wear the Defend and Serve after they
receive their diploma at their graduation from AGOBC. AGCRA
is a private association that one must initially join and continue
GATES GOLD
CSM Jesse J. Deberry
COL Pamela S. Mitchell
Mr. Fred D. Smith
SGM Anthony R. Everette
GATES BRONZE
LTC Francis J. Caponio
MAJ(P) David E. Tighe
CPT Cheryl L. Martinez
CPT Rachel Bellamy
HARRISON
SSG Michael Haycraft
2LT Michael Horkay
SSG Jason C. Porras
SGT Scott E. Ware
SGT Daniel Lozano
SSG Angela Dache
SSG Sarah Schroeder
WO1 Mark Hebenstreit
SGT Titania Y. Barnes
SSG Rhonda Denning
SGT Manolito Woodard
SSG Robert Copeland
SCOTT
LTC Dwight Pearson
SFC Brian J. Coats
SFC Felix R. Irizarry
SFC Gregory C. Hill
SFC Corey W. Gill
SSG Lanetia Yarborough
AGCRA
to renew membership in throughout their career. To receive an
AGCRA award, the recommended individual must be a member
of the Regimental Association. I recently received some wonderful recommendations to honor members of the AG Corps who
have made significant contributions to our Army. Unfortunately,
they were not members of the Regimental Association and were
not eligible for an award. Recommendations for the Gates Gold
and Bronze awards must highlight the individual's contributions
to AGCRA - chapter officer, fund raising, membership drives,
AG Ball committee, etc., as well as their contributions to the AG
Corps and our Army. Please include a mailing address and the
desired presentation date somewhere in the recommendation.
Email the recommendation to awards@agregiment.com Followup with the hard copy and payment to my home: 229 Steeple Dr,
Columbia, SC 29229.
Defend and Serve.
ROOSEVELT
1SG Travis Steele
LTC Dwight Pearson
CPT Jahn Foy
SFC James Harris
SFC Brian Coats
SGT Angela Dache
SGT Daniel Lozano
SGT Thasha A. Boyd
SSG Jason C. Porras
2LT Gladys Aglibot
2LT Shaalim David
2LT Michael Horkay
2LT Rosemary Reed
2LT Laura Westley
SGT Angeline C. Davis
SSG Bryan Valenzuela
WO1 Andrew Gould
WO1 Patrick Morris
WO1 Richard Zent
SGT Sara A. Coleman
SGT Rebecca Y. Steinfeld
SGT Louis Deleon, Jr.
SSG Tonya Hamilton
SSG Robert E. Copeland
SFC Matthew J. Smith
SSG Silvia McKeller
SSG Theresa Johnson
SSG Tessa A.M. Jones
SSG(P) Andrew J. Phelps
SSG Chad F. Shine
SSG Kendall R. Berglin
PFC Melissa Pfrommer
PVT Jason Schmitt
PVT Kenneth Conklin, Jr.
MACOMB
B Detachment, 556th PSB
SGM Broderick Peters
SGM Lane Wood
AIT MEDAL OF EXCELLENCE
PFC Jesse Hinnant
PVT Julio Pagan
PVT Jennifer Preston
PFC Cameron Butler
PFC Bryan McCoy
PFC Rebecca Babcock
SPC Nilo Limpin
PFC Cesar Turcios
PV2 Jessica Ciway
PV2 Miguel Marquez
PFC Karina Sanchez
PVT Jacob Decker
PFC Heather McGraw
PFC Andrew Stockner
PVT Daniel McArty
PFC Denice Hampton
SPC Kevin Kolb
PFC David Hudec
PVT Jason Schmitt
SGT Joshua Ladyman
SPC Kevin Johnson
PFC Robert Cunningham
PVT Robin Tullercash
PVT Justin Fitzgerald
PVT Mark Hocker
PFC James Keeling
SPC Taylor Stokes
PVT Christian Reyes
PFC Shalean Williams
PVT Stephen Register
May 2002
1775
42
An Annual Training We Won t Forget
by Master Sergeant Karen Kuffrey
My USAR unit, the 8th Battalion (PS),
98th Regiment, 4th Brigade (CSS SCH),
98th Division (IT), is located at Fort Dix,
NJ. We are responsible for teaching 75H,
71L, ASI F5, and 73C MOSs to the
USAR and National Guard, from the 1O
level through ANCOC, in the northeast
region of the country. Members of the
unit are located throughout New England,
New York, New Jersey, and some in
Pennsylvania. Each year our Annual
Training (AT) is held at Fort Dix, NJ,
usually during the months of May through
June. For some reason the 75H40
ANCOC class was scheduled for Sep 01
and I was the course manager, like so
many other times.
This was to be one of the easiest ATs in
years. I had been teaching the 75H40
ANCOC for many years but this was the
last year with a Program of Instruction
(POI) that was severely outdated. Close
to 50% of the blocks of instruction had
been waived because they were so old.
The instructors, MSGs John Cotton and
Mark Vesosky, support personnel, SFC
Dempsey, and I were really looking forward to an easy AT, so were the students.
They were very excited to learn they had
made it into the very last iteration with
that POI because next year was going to
be much more difficult - longer days and
student lead instruction. But the students,
instructors and support personnel proved
to be the most professional and focused
group I had worked with in my 19+ years
in the Army.
The students arrived on 8 Sep and easily
got re/acquainted with Fort Dix, NJ.
Many of the students were from the
NY/NJ area and had been to Fort Dix in
the past. That evening we had an orientation, with the commander addressing the
class about their duties as students and
our duties as trainers. The training started
the morning of 9 Sep - breakfast, formation/inspection, class, lunch, etc. A typical day at AT. Monday, 10 Sep, was the
same - everything was right on track.
Football season was starting so much of
the break-time conversation was geared
around player stats from last year, Super
Bowl predictions, etc. I think I made an
off-the-wall prediction that the Patriots
would win but I don't remember!
Then came the morning of 11 September
2001.
It was such a beautiful day at Fort Dix.
The sun was shining; there wasn't a cloud
in the sky. We were the only class being
conducted at the time so not many units
were around - Fort Dix was desolate.
MSG Cotton called me out of the classroom and told me the news - a plane had
crashed into the World Trade Center.
There were no televisions or radios in the
immediate area but we had a computer in
the classroom with an Internet connection.
MSG Vesosky was instructing so I got on
the Internet, not wanting to stir any suspicion, to get as much information about the
situation before telling the students. As
the students were going on a break I told
them what I knew. Unfortunately, the
second plane had hit by that time.
We no longer had students focused on
their ANCOC studies. They became fearful and worried mothers, fathers, brothers,
sisters, friends, loved-ones, and co-workers, rightfully so. Many of them were
able to find out the status of those they
cared about in a relatively short time but
some had a long wait because of the
phone lines in that area being inundated.
The break they were on turned out to be
much longer than scheduled.
Once things had come back to a so-called
normal state one of the students requested
we say a prayer. We asked if anyone in
the class had an objection but no one did.
After the prayer the class asked that we
keep them up to date with any developments. What happened next shocked me.
It was as if a switch had been flipped in
every person in the room - training continued as planned. If they didn't learn
anything else during that ANCOC, they
showed themselves as true leaders. They
were presented with a horrible situation,
faced it head-on, dealt with it the best
they could and marched on. SFC
Dempsey, the admin support NCO for the
course, summed it up quite well, "Overall,
I think all were ready to do what was necessary, if need be."
As the day wore on the changes throughout Fort Dix were more than obvious.
Tarps were being put over any type of
unit identifications, jersey barriers were
blocking off roads and gates, the PX
closed, the shoppette closed, and the gas
station closed. As a precautionary measure I restricted the students to the barracks that evening but the dayroom
didn't have a television.
SFC Dempsey had been a drill sergeant
for many years and had mastered the technique of procuring items in an expeditious
manner. She was able to get a television
into the dayroom for the students in an
extremely short amount of time. MSG
Cotton, MSG Vesosky and I weren't so
lucky. We went to Club Dix because we
knew they had a television and we could
find out what happened. When we got
there we were able to see the devastation
for the first time.
The days that followed were filled with
questions, from all of us. But the task at
hand never wandered. It wasn't easy to
do because all of us were affected in one
way or another but we all got through it.
On 16 September, the 75H40 ANCOC
class at Fort Dix, NJ, graduated.
Luckily, none of the students suffered a
loss by the events of 11 September 2001.
My hat goes off to the students, Master
Sergeant Cotton, Master Sergeant
Vesosky, and Sergeant First Class
Dempsey for their professionalism and
commitment to duty. They made my job
as NCOIC much easier, considering the
circumstances. Thank you all.
May 2002
1775
43
. . . a rallying cry for the
America's two-word marching order in the fight against
terrorism will be displayed on various aircraft throughout
the Air Force as a way of recognizing the heroes and victims of the September 11 attacks on the United States. The
words were made famous by Todd Beamer, a passenger on
Flight 93. Beamer, a 32-year-old businessman, Sunday
school teacher, husband, father and hero, led other passengers in fighting terrorists for control of Flight 93 before it
crashed into a field in western Pennsylvania. He was overheard on a cellular phone reciting the Lord's Prayer and
saying "Let's roll!" as passengers charged the terrorists.
"Let's roll!" has served as a rallying cry for this nation as
we go forward in our war on terrorism," said Air Force
Chief of Staff General John P. Jumper. "We are proud to
display this new nose art on our aircraft." The passengers
of Flight 93 won one of the first victories in the fight
against terrorism. There has been much speculation about
the terrorists' intentions for Flight 93, but it is widely
believed that either the White House or the US Capital
building was the intended target. The nose art design
depicts an eagle soaring in front of the US flag, with
the word "Spirit of 9-11" on the top and "Let's roll!" on
the bottom. The design was created by Senior Airman
Duane White, a journeyman for Air Combat
Command's multimedia center at Langley Air Force
Base, Virginia. The Thunderbirds and other Air Force
demonstration teams will apply this nose art on all aircraft,
while major commands and wings will only be authorized
to apply the nose art to one aircraft of their choice. For
thousands of years, warriors, such as the Vikings, Zulus,
Native Americans, samurai and many others, have followed a tradition of decorating their instruments of war.
These instruments could include the warriors or their
weapons. The air Force has used nose art throughout much
of its history, and for a variety of reasons.
The "Let's roll!" nose art is being used to continue the
remembrance of the events of September 11, spur on the
nation's current patriotic spirit and pay tribute to the heroes
and victims in the war against terrorism. The art began to
appear on Air Force aircraft around January 15.
May 2002
1775
44
LTG Timothy Maude, General Eric Shinseki, and
MG (Retired) Ronald Brooks.
Mrs. Terri Maude, wife of the late LTG Timothy
Maude, and Colonel Phil McNair, pass the Olympic
Torch during a Pentagon ceremony in December
2001. They were among 13 representatives of the
Army and Navy who represented those directly
impacted by the attack on the Pentagon.
LTG Tim and Terri Maude and LTC Kip and Nancy Taylor celebrate Christmas 1999 with friends.
LTG and Mrs. Maude on the 225th anniversary
of the Adjutant Generals Corps.
MG (Retired) Ronald Brooks, LTG Timothy Maude and
LTC Kip Taylor.
Adjutant General’s Corps
Regimental Association
PO Box 10026
Fort Jackson, SC 29207
Tribute in Light
Non Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Columbia, SC
Permit #00586

remembering 9/11

Transcription

Similar documents

here - London Central Fellowship Band

Signal career opportunities stretch from foxholes to the White

view Mikey Weinstein`s - Military Religious Freedom Foundation

Large LEA - Sheepdogmarket

September 28, 2014 - Our Lady of Peace Lynbrook

abstract

The San Francisco Chronicle

Rock Island District Emergency Management Flood Briefing

view Mikey Weinstein`s second demand letter

Bernard J. Gurick was born in Gillespie, Illinois on July 15, 1915 and