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By Army Pfc. Daniel M. Rangel
22nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
FORWARD OPERATING BASE MEHTAR LAM, Afghanistan – Individual Ready Reserve Soldiers have lives like most other American civilians, but when their country calls them to duty—they answer the call.
The 1st Battalion, 158th Infantry Regiment, comprised mostly of IRR Soldiers, recognized its members for their achievements during a promotion and awards ceremony July 19.
Army Lt. Col. Alberto C. Gonzalez, 1-158th commander, awarded a Meritorious Service Medal and an Army Achievement Medal to Army Sgt. 1st Class Martin J. McCarty from Alexandria, Va., during the ceremony attended by 1-158th Soldiers.
McCarty was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for work done while serving as battle captain at a crisis response center and was awarded the Army Achievement Medal for his volunteer work done for the Morale, Welfare and Recreation Center in Phoenix, Ariz., while serving as a platoon sergeant.
Promoted during the ceremony were:
Army Cpl. James E. Cavan, who was promoted to sergeant; Army Sgt. Marc J. Hellig who was promoted to staff sergeant; Army Sgt. Seth A. Lowell who was promoted to staff sergeant, and Army Sgt. Jason L. Lieuallen from Antelope, Calif., who was promoted to staff sergeant.
"It's my pleasure to promote these die-hard Soldiers," Gonzalez said. "You guys were involuntarily activated, but you came here and you guys stepped up and you're true leaders."
Gonzalez, from Boling Brook, Ill., commands the unit of over 650 Soldiers, newly-activated Sept. 1, 2006 and made up of elements from both the Arizona and Hawaii National Guard, said Army Command Sgt. Maj. John P. Bauer, the senior enlisted Soldier of 1-158th from Chandler, Ariz.
"I appreciate all the hard work you guys do," Bauer said. "I understand you guys work hard and late hours."
As part of the ceremony the newly-pinned Cavan was inducted into the U.S. Army Non-commissioned Officer Corps.
Lowell, from Quakertown, Pa., and a Ranger-qualified Soldier, has been deployed with the 2nd Infantry Division to Iraq. He has paid a steep price to serve his country, both financially and personally.
But the 1-158th recognized Lowell and his counterpart's professionalism and willingness to pay that price by promoting them.
One Soldier in the unit has paid the ultimate price.
Army Sgt. Charles R. Browning was killed and four other Soldiers were injured in an IED attack on June 1 while responding to a request for help as a Quick Reaction Force.
Browning continues to be an example to follow and an inspiration to junior enlisted Soldiers who wish to become 1-158th NCOs.
| Date Taken: | 07.23.2007 |
| Date Posted: | 07.23.2007 15:33 |
| Story ID: | 11430 |
| Location: | CAMP TORKHAM, AF |
| Web Views: | 207 |
| Downloads: | 90 |
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