Photo By L.A. Shively | Brandy McCain and her husband, Air Force Master Sgt. Richard McCain, a military...... read more read more
SAN ANTONIO - Senior enlisted leadership from across Joint Base San Antonio and surrounding areas gathered at the oldest post in Texas, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 76 on the San Antonio River, partly to socialize, but also to build bridges with each other and with the community.
Sponsored by the Senior Enlisted Advisory Council of the San Antonio Chamber Commerce, the April reception also provided the chance for senior noncommissioned officers to take a break from their hectic schedules. The more than 300-strong audience enjoyed live music, a raffle that included gift cards and rounds of golf, plus the chance to interact with military and business leaders.
“It was very impressive. There was participation from our senior enlisted Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and Coast Guard. Community outreach is bar none. It was inspiring to see the community reach out to the senior enlisted,” said Command Master Chief Chris Angstead, Navy Medicine Education and Training Command's command master chief.
“Talking with my counterparts in the other services – they rang the same tone,” he said, adding that the reception is a golden opportunity for all services from the E-7 to E-9 levels including at the command level. “It was awesome.”
“The Navy senior enlisted may not know who the Army senior enlisted are, and this is a way for them to talk to each other about their successes and their challenges,” explained Caryl Hill, Texas Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Area 4 chairman.
“They’re the ones that keep the military going.”
“This event helps boost morale and allows the senior enlisted to mingle and get to know each other,” said 1st Sgt. Tyron McNeal, with B Company, Warrior Transition Battalion, JBSA-Fort Sam Houston, adding that he would probably still be working, if he was not given the chance to attend.
“It’s a good opportunity for the senior NCOs from all branches of the military to meet each other, interact and share stories and experiences,” said U.S. Army South Facilities and Construction Sgt. Maj. Christopher Holliday, who attended the event last year as well.
“I think it’s a great opportunity to network,” said Brandy McCain, whose husband is Air Force Master Sgt. Richard McCain, a military training instructor with the 737th Training Group at JBSA-Lackland. “I don’t get a chance to meet this many spouses in one place and I really enjoy meeting other people and seeing what their lives are like.”
“I too got to meet a lot of different and new people,” the master sergeant chimed in.
“This evening is a chance for our community to honor you,” said Brian Posten, chairman of the Senior Enlisted Advisory Council of the San Antonio Chamber Commerce, during his remarks at the reception. “We know the importance of your roles within the military and the critical advantage you bring to the training, readiness and combat missions of our nation’s armed services.”
“Every time we get people together where they see friends and see the community supports them, I think is a positive thing. We want to express our support for our men and women in service in every way we can,” said Henry Cisneros, chairman of the board for the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce.
“Just being here to honor them and celebrate with them and kickoff Fiesta is right thing to do,” Cisneros said. “There are never enough ways to say thank you for their service.”
Originally planned for once a year in conjunction with Celebrate America’s Military, the reception was so well received that we decided to do two per year explained Will Garrett, vice president for Economic Development for the Chamber of Commerce.
“Although the reception was timed to kick off Fiesta San Antonio, the event is not official yet,” he said. “We are working on it. An event has to happen for at least 3 years and must raise funds for charitable organizations. This event has been occurring for 2 years now.”
The majority of military members in San Antonio are enlisted explained Tammany Williams, a business owner, honorary commander emeritus and “Honorary First Sergeant” by the JBSA-Lackland First Sergeants Council as well as a member of SEAC.
Williams explained the SEAC was created because the majority of military personnel in San Antonio are enlisted and the Chamber’s Military Affairs Committee wanted to a group dedicated to promoting the needs and recognizing those military members.
Williams created a special 2015 Fiesta Medal, distributed exclusively at the SNCO reception and recognized by the San Antonio Express-News with a first place in the military category for its Fiesta medal contest.
“That’s where my heart is – supporting the enlisted person,” Williams said.
“We appreciate (the Chamber) putting this on for us – it’s a great thing,” McNeal said.
“I really enjoy what the community does,” Holliday said. “There is no place like it in the country that I have ever seen that has this level of appreciation for the military.”
| Date Taken: | 04.29.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 04.29.2015 10:14 |
| Story ID: | 161652 |
| Location: | SAN ANTONIO, TX, US |
| Web Views: | 193 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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