Photo By Staff Sgt. Takita Lawery | From left to right, retired Staff Sgt. Ronald Dunlap, retired 1st Sgt. Edward...... read more read more
FORT RILEY, Kan. - Past and present Soldiers of the 24th Transportation Company, 541st Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 1st Infantry Division Sustainment Brigade, gathered July 11 at Fort Riley for their annual “Truckmanster” reunion.
During the reunion, the company’s fifth, the Truckmasters were presented with a Somalia streamer for the unit’s participation in the 1992-93 Operation Restore Hope. The humanitarian operation was a success in alleviating the mass starvation of the Somalian people and constructing and improving 2,000 kilometers, or 1,243 miles, of road. The project also helped to open schools, hospitals and orphanages in the southern region of Somalia, according to information from Global Security.
“This is absolutely one of the highlights of the year for the entire battalion,” said Lt. Col. Ronnie Anderson, 541st CSSB commander, who is currently deployed to Kuwait with the battalion headquarters. “I wish more units had the deep and rich pride in our organization, Army and heritage.”
The battalion headquarters deployed in March for a nine-month rotation to Kuwait in support of Operation Spartan Shield and Operation Inherent Resolve.
Attending the reunion to help place the streamer on the unit’s guidon was retired Maj. Renee Miller McDonald, who served as the 24th Transportation Company commander during Operation Restore Hope.
“I feel so fortunate to be here to present the streamer 22 years after the fact,” Miller said. “It symbolizes what we’ve done, where we’ve been and the challenges we faced.”
Retired Staff Sgt. Ronald Dunlap, reunion committee chairman and Truckmaster veteran who served during Desert Storm and Operation Restore Hope, thanked and presented awards to alumni and families who helped coordinate, plan and set up the event.
Dunlap said he was thankful to be a part of yet another reunion and to have so many attend and participate in the festivities.
“The camaraderie between the current and past soldiers is what makes this reunion so special,” Dunlap said “This unit has a special place in my heart.”
More than 75 current and former Truckmaster Soldiers and their families turned out for the opportunity to catch up and exchange stories at this year’s event. Capt. Chad Scott, 24th Transportation Company commander, has attended two reunions, and said it was wonderful both current and former Truckmasters could come together with their families and share this moment every year.
“There’s a lot of heritage and history in this unit, dating back to the 1940s, that we should be proud of and grateful to experience each year,” Scott said.
| Date Taken: | 07.11.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 08.17.2015 11:44 |
| Story ID: | 173403 |
| Location: | FORT RILEY, KS, US |
| Web Views: | 51 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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