Photo By Capt. Olivia Cobiskey-Haftmann | Staff Sgt. Robert D. Riley, his wife Deborah, and family members pose for photographs...... read more read more
CAMP ATTERBURY JOINT MANEUVER TRAINING CENTER, Ind. – At its quarterly retirement ceremony , the 205th Infantry Brigade, First Army Division East, said farewell to four of its own during a ceremony held at the Joint Simulation Training Exercise Center, Bldg 722, Camp Atterbury Joint Maneuver Center, Ind., March 1.
Col. John F. Dunleavy, commander of the 205th Infantry Brigade, spoke highly of the retirees, Lt. Col. Craig Wagoner, Sgt. Maj. Wade P. Wells, Sgt. 1st Class James Mariner, and Staff Sgt. Robert Riley to family, friends, and fellow soldiers.
“The nation owes a great debt of gratitude to those retiring today, “said Dunleavy. “Their service spans over four decades, a total of 96 years together, and in that, every year, every day of our country’s existence in that time. “Wagoner, commander of the 1-335th Infantry Regiment, the ceremony brings to a close a career that spans three decades and two enlistments, and a wonderful marriage that continues with his wife, Jennifer, as they prepare to celebrate their 30th anniversary in May.”
“I feel like we’re 19 again,” said Wagoner, hugging his wife. “All the same people who helped us celebrate as I left for basic (training), are here today. It’s been a blessing to have my start point and ending point in Indiana.”
Wagoner enlisted in the Army on Valentine’s Day in 1983. In 1990, he received his commission as a second lieutenant upon graduating from the United States Army Officer Candidate School in Fort Benning, Ga. He also was a Warrant Officer Rotary Wing Aviator Course graduate and served in numerous aviation duty assignments, to include attack pilot TF 1-112 at Fort Rucker, Ala., armament platoon leader at Hunter Army Air Field, Ga., attack platoon leader in Katterbach, Germany, as well as other assignments. His combat tours include Operations Desert Shield, Iraqi Freedom, and Enduring Freedom.
“Buddy” Wells, a native of Tulsa, Okla., joined the Army in 1988. His career positions range from multiple launch rocket system crewmember to brigade sergeant major. He is a graduate of all levels of noncommissioned officer academies. His assignments have taken him to Fort Sill, Okla., Fort Campbell, Ky., Korea, and Germany. He completed three tours in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Wells leaves Camp Atterbury having served as the 1-290th battalion command sergeant major.
Dunleavy said it was fitting he be the one to present Wells with his last award, the Meritorious Service Medal, bring their relationship full circle. Dunleavy, as a second lieutenant, awarded then Pvt. Wells his first award in Babenhausen, Germany.
The Viking Brigade also said goodbye to two of its NCOs, Sgt. 1st Class James S. Marriner and Staff Sgt. Robert D. Riley.
“Whenever and wherever the nation has called – in times of darkness and danger as well as in times of peace and prosperity – these soldiers have been there, proudly carrying the torch of liberty for all to see,” said Dunleavy. “These men are willing to work and sacrifice for the small band of brothers and sisters who stand unwavering to their left and right … They draw their courage from our history and from a tradition and legacy of strength they have inherited from those that marched tirelessly before them.”
Riley, of Tallaluah, La., began his Army career as a cannon crewmember in 1993. Later, he moved to the multiple launch rocket system, serving as an advanced individual training instructor, as well as a platoon sergeant. His duty assignments include Fort Sill, Fort Riley, Kan., Korea, and Bamberg, Germany, as well as deploying in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. At Camp Atterbury, Riley was an observer, controller, trainer for the 1-290th, as well as defense travel system noncommissioned officer. Retirement plans for Riley will lead him and his wife, Deborah, to Oklahoma, where they plan to open a daycare center.
Marriner, an Alaskan native, plans to retire in Indiana. He became a Soldier in March 1992. Tours have taken him to numerous stateside locations as well as overseas, to include Bosnia and two tours in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He most recently served as the brigade security senior enlisted adviser.
“Military service demands a special kind of sacrifice,” said Dunleavy. “The places where you live and serve, the risk you face, the people you deal with every day, -- all of these are usually decided by someone else. For the time you spend in uniform, the interests of the nation must always come first.”
Dunleavy also emphasized the sacrifices made by family members in support of career soldiers, who erratic workloads can sometimes take a toll on family life. Each spouse was presented with a Certificate of Achievement for their career long support of their loved one.
“And those duties are shared by family members who make many sacrifices of their own, face separation deployments and sometimes bear extreme and permanent loss. Please help me recognize the spouses and families of these great soldiers.”
| Date Taken: | 03.01.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 03.07.2013 11:52 |
| Story ID: | 103051 |
| Location: | EDINBURGH, IN, US |
| Web Views: | 253 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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