Photo By Staff Sgt. Christina Turnipseed | Col. Zane Jones, commander of the 18th Military Police Brigade (left), presents...... read more read more
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GRAFENWOEHR, Germany - More than 100 Soldiers attended a retirement dinner Jan. 20 in Kemnath, Germany to bid farewell to Command Sgt. Maj. Henry Stearns a native of Dayton, Wash., and former Command Sgt. Maj. 18th Military Police Brigade, Grafenwoehr, Germany.
Many Soldiers, civilians and members of the Polish and German law enforcement communities expressed their sentiments for Stearns earlier that day at his retirement ceremony which took place at the U.S. Army Grafenwoehr Fitness Center.
Stearns began his Army career March 1986 where he became a MP in Fort McClellan, Ala. He continued serving for more than 28 years deploying to Hungary, Croatia, Bosnia, and Kosovo and to combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
In his remarks Stearns noted that his most outstanding achievements in 28 years was returning from his last two combat tours where he was able to return with all of his personnel. Concern for Soldiers seemed to be the theme of his remarks and those who spoke about him at his retirement dinner.
His emphasis on Soldiers was reiterated as Stearns made comments such as, “A leader’s legacy is his or her Soldiers.”
“In my career I have only personally earned nine Good Conduct Medals; the rest of the awards have been because of the outstanding Soldiers who served under me,” he said.
Upon his retirement, Stearns was awarded a silver medallion as he was inducted into the “Order of the Marechaussee."
This award “acknowledges his outstanding dedication and devotion to the Military Police Corps Regiment” as stated on the official certificate.
He also received the Legion of Merit “for exceptionally meritorious service, upon retirement, in positions of increasing responsibility throughout a career spanning over 28 years of military service” according to orders read during the ceremony.
In addition, Stearns received a certificate of retirement, certificate of appreciation from the president of the U.S., the Department of the Army retirement pin, the U.S. flag and a Department of the Army certificate of appreciation for Mrs. Stearns before he relinquished responsibility of the brigade to Command Sgt. Maj. James Breckinridge.
“His whole career has been taking care of Soldiers and their families,” explained Col. Zane Jones, commander 18th MP Brigade, and native of Prattville, Ala.
Stearns plans to move back to the U.S. and spend more time with his family.
| Date Taken: | 01.20.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 01.28.2015 04:15 |
| Story ID: | 152928 |
| Location: | GRAFENWOEHR, BY, DE |
| Hometown: | DAYTON, WA, US |
| Hometown: | PRATTVILLE, AL, US |
| Web Views: | 336 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, CSM retires after 28 years, by SSG Christina Turnipseed, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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