Army Reserve Soldier swaps stories of past and present with Navy and Army veterans

Photo By Maj. Marvin Baker | Command Sgt. Maj. Jason Biermann, senior enlisted member of the Tacoma-based 654th Regional Support Group and Mount Vernon, Wash., native, marked the unit’s emerging partnership with a Snohomish County-based veterans service organization by accepting its invitation to be the guest speaker at the 2015 Washington State Amphibious Forces Association Conference in Leavenworth, Wash., Sept. 2-3. The 654th RSG is an Army Reserve unit that provides logistical support under the mission command of the 364th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) based in Marysvillle, Wash.  

LEAVENWORTH, WA, UNITED STATES

09.02.2015

Story by Capt. Marvin Baker 

364th Expeditionary Sustainment Command

LEAVENWORTH, Wash. - More than two dozen Navy and Army veterans now living in Washington came together for the 2015 Washington State Amphibious Forces Association Conference in Leavenworth, Washington, Sept. 2-3.

During the two-day gathering, the veterans reminisced and shared stories of their lives in the military during past wars and conflicts going back to World War II. However, this year marked a new addition to the meeting.

Command Sgt. Maj. Jason Biermann, senior enlisted member of the Tacoma-based 654th Regional Support Group, initiated the unit’s emerging partnership with the Snohomish County-based veterans service organization by accepting its invitation to be the guest speaker at the event.

The specialized veterans group has nearly 200 members who all spent part of their military careers on amphibious watercraft. The 654th RSG has several U.S. Army watercraft units in its command, including the 805th Transportation Detachment, which has the Logistics Support Vessel-3.

Earlier this year, several members of the veterans group toured the LSV-3, where they first learned of the Army Reserve’s unique watercraft capabilities. Tony Campbell, a long-time member of the group and Vietnam-era veteran who plans the group's events, believed Biermann was a perfect choice for guest speaker.

“The members are still talking about how they enjoyed the tour of the LSV-3 his (Biermann’s) Soldiers gave them,” Campbell said.

The tour brought back memories of time spent on military Landing Ship, Tanks during WWII and Vietnam, he said.

During his remarks, Biermann discussed how Army Reserve Soldiers in his unit train and prepare for their missions in support of the nation and the community. He also thanked the veterans for their service, which inspired generations of Soldiers to serve the nation as they did.

Army Reserve Soldiers and veterans lead unique and stressful lifestyles. Conferences like this one give current and former Soldiers an opportunity to share challenges, learn to overcome them and encourage one another to stay strong. The Army urges Soldiers to remain connected to the Army from recruitment, throughout their careers and as they transition back to their civilian communities. Veterans who successfully reintegrate and continue their connections to the Army build relationships and resilience - making them Soldiers for life.

• Date Taken: 09.02.2015
• Date Posted: 09.06.2015 15:32
• Story ID: 175366
• Location: LEAVENWORTH, WA, US
• Hometown: MOUNT VERNON, WA, US