Command sergeant major recognizes Soldiers' hard work

Courtesy Photo | First Corps Command Sgt. Maj. Frank A. Grippe presents Spc. Michael A. Johnson, a gunner and driver with the 36th Sustainment Brigade's personal security detachment and a San Antonio native, with a coin for excellence Jan. 3 in Grippe's office at Al Faw Palace, Camp Victory, Iraq.  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

01.09.2010

Courtesy Story

13th Armored Corps Sustainment Command (13th ESC)

CAMP VICTORY, Iraq — First Corps Command Sgt. Maj. Frank A. Grippe, the former Multi-National Corps-Iraq CSM, met with members of the personal security detachment with the 36th Sustainment Brigade out of Temple, Texas, 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), Jan. 3 at Al Faw Palace at Camp Victory, Iraq.

Grippe recognized six outstanding Soldiers in the PSD by presenting them with a coin for excellence.

"Over the last six and a half years, we have put a lot of blood and treasure into this country," said Grippe. "Because of all that hard work we have done at the lowest tactical level, we are starting to have all this success here in Iraq, [with] capacities building in the government, the economy and the military. It is because of young women and men ... who come over here for multiple tours and successfully get out there and interact with the Iraqi military and civilian sector."

Grippe said he relies heavily on his own PSD, and believed it was important to meet with the 36th Sust. Bde. PSD Soldiers to thank them for their service.

"It really means a lot to me as a corps sergeant major to continually be out myself, with my own PSD, out battlefield circulating and visiting young Soldiers ... to ensure that they know what the commander and I are thinking of your hard work out there," he said.

Spc. Christopher L. Vinson, a driver with the 36th Sust. Bde. PSD, was recognized by Grippe and his command as one of the Soldiers who went above and beyond the call of duty. He was selected from among his peers for working as a gunner and assisting with communications and electronic warfare operations, in addition to his primary job as a driver.

"It made me feel good [to be recognized]," said Vinson, a Daingerfield, Texas, native, "good about myself as a person and about the difference I am making in Iraq."

Vinson said the meeting with Grippe highlighted the important role he and his teammates play in Iraq.
"It made me feel like I am actually a part of something, like I am actually making a difference," he said.

• Date Taken: 01.09.2010
• Date Posted: 01.09.2010 02:20
• Story ID: 43587
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ