Photo By Capt. Robert Holmes | Capt. Miclos St. Fleur (right), the battery commander for Battery B, 1st Battalion,...... read more read more
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KILLEEN, Texas – Every December, the Soldiers of 69th Air Defense Artillery Brigade hold a St. Barbara’s Day Ball to pay homage to St. Barbara, the patron saint of artillery.
According to mythology, St. Barbara was killed by her father for practicing Christianity. After she was killed, her father was struck down by lightning and the thunderous boom, which is similar to the sound of artillery fire, is how she became associated as the patron saint of artillery.
Soldiers of 69th ADA Brigade, the “Lightning Brigade,” celebrated St. Barbara’s Day with a formal military ball Dec. 10 at the Killeen Convention Center, here.
Col. Richard Harrison, the brigade commander, said the St. Barbara’s Day ball upholds the tradition and pride of air defense artillery.
Part of the tradition of a St. Barbara’s Day ball is the issuing of the Honorable Order of St. Barbara and the Ancient Order of St. Barbara.
The Honorable Order of St. Barbara is presented to individuals who have made significant contributions to the air defense artillery branch, said Harrison.
The Ancient Order of St. Barbara is given to those who have served exceptionally in artillery and have done even more than those who earned the Honorable Order of St. Barbara.
“It’s a prestigious medal that a Soldier can wear throughout his or her career,” Harrison explained. “We even give it to non-ADA Soldiers too.”
Harrison said it was a “great moment” when he received his first Honorable Order of St. Barbara medal nearly 15 years ago as a battery commander for 1st Battalion, 62nd ADA Regiment, which is currently assigned to 69th ADA Brigade.
“It was a tremendous honor to receive the [Honorable Order of St. Barbara medal] as a young captain in command,” he said.
Capt. Miclos St. Fleur, the battery commander for Battery B, 1st Battalion, 44th ADA Regiment, received the Honorable Order of St. Barbara medal after serving more than seven years in the air defense artillery branch.
“It was a surreal moment for me,” he said. “I felt proud of myself and proud to be an air defense officer.”
Pride is something Harrison said he looked forward to witnessing during the occasion.
“I enjoy seeing our Soldiers filled with pride when they receive something they worked so hard for,” said Harrison.
Selected spouses received the Honorable Order of Molly Pitcher.
During the Battle of Monmouth, the spouse of a Soldier continuously supplied the men firing cannons with water. Once her husband was killed, the woman, nicknamed “Molly Pitcher,” continued firing from his cannon, said Harrison.
“It shows that selfless service, so we give it to the spouses who’ve given to our branch and who’ve made significant contribution through selfless service and volunteering,” he explained.
A guest also speaks at the St. Barbara’s Day events.
As a battalion commander, Harrison hosted a St. Barbara’s Day event in the United Arab Emirates, he said.
“We paid homage to the patron saint there, and I was fortunate enough to go back a few years later as a colonel [to] be the guest speaker at my [former] battalion’s St. Barbara’s Day ball,” he said.
This year, Harrison invited Brig. Gen. Randall McIntire, who previously commanded 69th ADA Brigade, to speak at the event.
“This is his first event as a general officer and he’s speaking at his old brigade,” Harrison said. “It reminds me of my time going back to speak [at my battalion] and how I felt.”
The event featured a Soldier dressed up as the Oozlefinch, the unofficial mascot of air defense artillery, and a grog ceremony, where leaders of the brigade shared information about the history of the brigade and branch while pouring representative liquids in the grog bowl as an allusion to that history.
“It’s unique to our branch,” Harrison explained. “Our history is tied into it as well.”
The St. Barbara’s Day celebration is something St. Fleur said he has never missed.
“It’s a moment where you all come together as air defenders and you can really be proud of your branch and where the branch came from,” he said.
| Date Taken: | 12.10.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 02.11.2016 15:41 |
| Story ID: | 188634 |
| Location: | KILLEEN, TX, US |
| Web Views: | 162 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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