Courtesy Photo | Command Sgt. Maj. Luis J. Lopez, the out-going command sergeant major for the 1st...... read more read more
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By Staff Sgt. Anishka J. Calder
1st Sustainment Command (Theater)
FORT BRAGG, N.C. – After nearly thirty three years and six combat tours, the Army said farewell to Blackjack 7.
The senior non-commissioned officer for the 1st Sustainment Command (Theater) bid farewell to his command and his military service in a retirement ceremony at Frederick Gym June 6. The Soldiers and well-wishers seemed oblivious to the more than 90-degree heat in the gym as they honored Command Sgt. Maj. Luis J. Lopez, a native of Puerto Rico, for his service to his country.
"Today we will recognize almost thirty-three years of outstanding service to our nation, as we retire command sergeant major Lopez, "Blackjack 7", our command sergeant major," said Brig. Gen. Kevin A. Leonard, the commanding general for the 1st TSC, and the reviewing officer for the ceremony. "It is a great day to celebrate the end of an historic career. It seems almost like the end of an era."
The decision to retire June 6 was not just mere coincidence for Lopez, as he bid farewell to his command on a day that is of paramount importance to the history of the United States Army.
"This day is even more significant as we pause to remember the events of June 6, 1944, in places like Normandy and Omaha Beaches ...," said Leonard. "Let us all remember those (who) came before us so that we can stand here today and celebrate the career of an outstanding warrior, leader, husband and father."
"Throughout the nation's history, men and women have answered the call in defense of our freedom, and none more than our own Blackjack 7," Leonard continued. "A career that started in 1976, and spanned the globe for thirty-three years in defense of our nation, is the legacy he leaves behind for us all."
Lopez' assignments include the 1st Corps Support Command as the G3 Operations sergeant major, the 264th Corps Support Battalion (Airborne) command sergeant major and the 507th Corps Support Group command sergeant major. He has numerous deployments under his belt, to include, Operation Desert Storm/Desert Shield and the Liberation of Kuwait, Operation Restore Hope, Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
He is, in his own rite, the first and the last. He will go down in history as the first command sergeant major for the 1st TSC and the last command sergeant major for the 1st Corps Support Command before its transformation to the 1st TSC in 2006. Still, Lopez displayed immense humility as he bid farewell to his command.
"Soldiers of the 1st TSC, I appreciate everything that you have done for me and for this unit ... your professionalism and the way you go about conducting business," said Lopez. "You are some of the finest logisticians that I have seen. It is because of you and what you that I feel good about retiring out of the Army, because I know it (the Army) is in good hands. It's been a great Army career and I recommend it to everyone."
Sergeant major Edgar K. Boney Jr., the G1 sergeant major for the 1st TSC, had mixed feelings as he watched his "old" friend take a different path in life's journey.
"I've known command sergeant major Lopez since the sergeant major academy at Fort Bliss, TX. We graduated together in May of 1999," said Boney. "He has accomplished a lot. As one of the graduates of class 49, he probably has achieved more than 99 percent of the sergeants major in our class. There are not many two-star billets in the Army, and he held one of them."
Boney, a native of Rose Hill, N.C., described Lopez as a stalwart supporter of the noncommissioned corps and as an NCO who adamantly believes in taking care of his Soldiers.
"Every military organization needs that senior NCO (who) bridges the gap between the enlisted Soldiers and officers," said Boney. "He (Lopez) was that force as the senior enlisted advisor, not just to the commander, but to the command."
"He is a strong family-man ... and what I will probably miss the most is those long runs that he used to take the senior enlisted Soldiers on," Boney added. "I will definitely miss that, but gladly."
Leonard praised Lopez for his stellar military career, thanked him and his family for their contributions to the military and reminded him that "old Soldiers never die, they just slip away."
"... Soldiers like command sergeant major Lopez are few in number. In today's global war on terror, and as our Army prepares for full spectrum operations, we desperately need more leaders like command sergeant major Lopez," said Leonard. "Leaders (who) will carry on the legacy and that are the foundation and basis for our freedoms."
Lopez was presented with a distinguished service medal for retirement, a bronze star medal for his most recent deployment, a retirement certificate, a certificate of appreciation and a retirement pin.
| Date Taken: | 06.07.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 06.09.2008 15:17 |
| Story ID: | 20280 |
| Location: | FORT BRAGG, NORTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 669 |
| Downloads: | 267 |
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