Over 130 years of military service honored at Celebration of Service

Photo By Staff Sgt. Christopher Brown | Maj. Gen. Mark J. O'Neil (left), Chief of Staff, U.S. Army Pacific, congratulates Col. Lawrence H. Madkins III for his honorable retirement at the ninth quarterly Celebration of Service ceremony held at historic Palm Circle, Fort Shafter, Hawaii, July 15. The USARPAC Celebration of Service ceremony brought together family, friends and colleagues of the honorees as they came together for a ceremonial expression of appreciation and gratitude for all the honorees have done for U.S. Army Pacific, the U.S. Army, and their nation. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Christopher Brown, U.S. Army Pacific Public Affairs)   

FORT SHAFTER, HI, UNITED STATES

07.15.2016

Story by Staff Sgt. Christopher McCullough 

U.S. Army Pacific Public Affairs Office

FORT SHAFTER, Hawaii – On July 15, family, friends, and colleagues of five U.S. Army Soldiers came together at historic Palm Circle, Fort Shafter, Hawaii, for a ceremonial expression of appreciation and gratitude for their combined 132 years of federal service to the U.S. Army, the U.S. Army Pacific, and the nation.

“At USARPAC, we refer to it a Celebration of Service, because that’s what we’re here to do,” said USARPAC's Chief of Staff, Maj. Gen. Mark J. O'Neil, who officiated the ceremony, “to celebrate the service of five experienced leaders – our ‘One Team’ teammates – who will transition from active duty to the Army retired roster.”

The five retirees honored were Col. Bruce D. Jenkins; Col. Lawrence H. Madkins III; Lt. Col. Dhania J. Hunt, of Houston, Texas; Lt. Col. Scott A. Peachey, of Pennsylvania; and Sgt. 1st Class Derek L. Bannamon, of Atlanta, Georgia.

USARPAC’s Celebration of Service ceremony recognizes Soldiers for their distinguished service to U.S. Army Pacific and the U.S. as they prepare to transition into new careers. This was the ninth such celebration held with the intent of honoring retiring service members quarterly.

Over the course of the celebration, O'Neil spoke to the audience about how Jenkins, Madkins, Hunt, Peachey and Bannamon careers have impacted USARPAC. He also addressed how their devotion made the Army better, and personally thanked each of the honorees for the sacrifices they and their families have made.

“Congratulations to all the honorees on achieving this milestone called military retirement,” O'Neil said in closing. “A very special thanks to the families of these stars for sharing them with us for these many decades for these many decades, and for being their strength and support. May God bless each of you in the next chapters of your life, and know that you always have a home in this Ohana in USARPAC.”

• Date Taken: 07.15.2016
• Date Posted: 07.15.2016 23:14
• Story ID: 204147
• Location: FORT SHAFTER, HI, US
• Hometown: ATLANTA, GA, US
• Hometown: HARRISBURG, PA, US
• Hometown: HOUSTON, TX, US