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CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan - A deployment to Afghanistan has not deterred one U.S. Army battalion from keeping a time-honored military tradition alive. With an emphasis of promoting esprit de corps while taking the opportunity to recognize soldiers’ achievements, the 87th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 3rd Sustainment Brigade, hosted a combat dining-in and awards ceremony, May 31, at Camp Leatherneck.
The 87th CSSB-Task Force Pyramid is currently comprised of transportation and quartermaster elements representing all three Army components—active duty, National Guard and Reserve. The battalion is responsible for supporting sustainment and retrograde operations throughout Regional Command Southwest and West. Commissioned and noncommissioned officers of TF Pyramid attended the combat dining-in that fostered togetherness and celebrated Army customs.
Col. Ron Novack, 3rd Sustainment Brigade commander and guest speaker of the dining-in, embraced the liberty to share the importance of living the Army Values with his team.
“During my 31 years in the Army, I’ve spoken at a number of events, and each time I try to use this opportunity to impart some sort of higher lesson, some thought that will perhaps stay with you longer than just the length of this speech,” Novack said to his soldiers.
Novack, a Weatherly, Pa., native, discussed the importance of selfless service—service to soldiers, the unit and to the nation.
“These three elements are mutually supporting,” he said. “To serve, you must give up yourself, your personal interests and needs for a higher calling without any thought of personal recognition or gain. Selfless service is giving a piece of yourself, time after time, for the betterment of the nation, the Army, your unit, and most importantly, the soldier next to you.”
Novack went on to provide examples of soldiers who he feels epitomizes selfless service, including Staff Sgt. Carletta Davis, a combat medic with Company C, 10th Brigade Support Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, and member of the brigade commander’s personal security detachment who was killed in action during her third combat tour to Iraq, Nov. 5, 2007.
“During Staff Sgt. Davis’ memorial ceremony on Forward Operating Base Warrior, her battalion commander spoke highly of how she truly lived the Army Values every day of her life and how her selfless service to our nation was a shining example of what selfless service should mean to all of us,” said Novack. “Her selfless service will never be forgotten…her battalion commander, (was then) Lt. Col. Ron Novack.”
Novack also spoke about the most decorated combat soldier of World War II, 2nd Lt. Audie Murphy, and Staff Sgt. Clinton Romesha, a section leader assigned to Troop B, 3rd Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, who was recently awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions when his combat outpost received enemy fire from an estimated 400 Taliban fighters.
“Time after time, I watch soldiers disregard personal interest in lieu of selfless service to fellow soldiers,” said Novack. “We must maintain living the Army Values, and when our nation continues to call on each of us repeatedly to deploy, like it has over the past 12 years, it will take leaders and soldiers with an unequivocal sense of selfless service to win.”
Novack charged the leaders who attended the dining-in to be selfless servants to their soldiers, their unit and their nation. His remarks were followed by an award presentation to select soldiers who have embodied the Army values and excelled in their technical trade.
Command Sgt. Maj. Timothy Simpson, 87th CSSB senior enlisted advisor, and Maj. Tony Marante, support operations officer in charge, were presented with The Honorable Order of Saint Martin. The award is presented to any quartermaster for excellence.
Additionally, the Ordnance Order of Samuel Sharpe was awarded to Staff Sgt. Jonathan Kennedy, Sgt. 1st Class Frederick Boyles, Chief Warrant Officer (2) Shabbar Robinson, Chief Warrant Officer (2) Nathan Noel, Chief Warrant Officer (2) Romero Smalls, Chief Warrant Officer (3) Michael Warren and Capt. Phillip Dillingham.
Novack said that the combat dining was a success, and he applauded the 87th CSSB for exercising military tradition.
“Tonight, it is evident that there is emphasis on maintaining customs and traditions in this unit,” said Novack. “This event is important on many levels, because we as leaders, each and every one of us, need to continue to understand the importance of our Army traditions, which represent who we are and what we stand for as soldiers.”
| Date Taken: | 06.06.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 06.06.2013 10:14 |
| Story ID: | 108152 |
| Location: | KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, AF |
| Hometown: | FORT GREGG-ADAMS, VA, US |
| Hometown: | FORT STEWART, GA, US |
| Hometown: | HAZLETON, PA, US |
| Hometown: | RUTHERFORDTON, NC, US |
| Hometown: | WARRENSBURG, MO, US |
| Hometown: | WEATHERLY, PA, US |
| Web Views: | 455 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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