Photo By Terrance Bell | Retired 1st Sgt. Geryle Jones, retired 1st Sgt. Jeremiah Wesley, Capt. Francis Rettzo...... read more read more
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FORT LEE, Va. (Sept. 15, 2016) -- Retired Staff Sgt. Floyd “Pat” Patterson’s reason for attending the 2016 Liquid Logisticians Reunion was quite simple:
“To see some of my old friends – buddies I served with, argued with, fought with and drank with,” he said with a drawl and slight grin.
The 83-year-old, white-bearded, overall-wearing Patterson was no less nostalgic as he recalled the sentiments of Soldiers from decades earlier who laid the foundations for today’s water treatment, petroleum laboratory and petroleum supply specialists who train here at the Quartermaster School. He was one of more than 50 current and former liquid logisticians who came out for the LLR event Friday at Stewart-Roye Hall, home to the school’s Petroleum and Water Department.
Held biannually, the LLR seeks to strengthen and preserve the petroleum and water career field through reflection, generational engagement and community awareness. More than 150 people registered for the two-day event. Jose Hernandez, PWD chief, said the LLR is an opportunity to appreciate those who made contributions to a still viable sector of the U.S. military.
“It’s really about them and not about us,” said the former Army logistics officer who has seen five reunions since retirement. “Some of them haven’t seen each other in a couple of years or sometimes even 20 or 30 years and now, they remember their days when they were young troops. It’s good to be able to provide the means for that.”
During the first day of the LLR on Friday, the attendees reacquainted themselves during an impromptu meet-and-greet in the Stewart-Roye lobby.
Later, they gathered in the PWD auditorium where they listened to Hernandez as he presented an update on schoolhouse training and education initiatives as well as the state of Army liquid logistics. They also were briefed about the Liquid Logistics Association, a non-profit recently created to support petroleum and water community interests.
Retired Chief Warrant Officer 3 Curtis Johnson, a first-time attendee and a PWD employee, was among the PWD staff who mingled with reunion guests in the Stewart-Roye lobby. He said the sense of camaraderie was strong and the interest plentiful in seeing those who built the career field to the healthy state it is in today.
“It was great to see the folks who were the pacesetters for me and a lot of others,” said the former petroleum supply specialist and Army Logistics University instructor. “They have a legacy here, and we just want to continue to hold up that banner, do the right thing and support them.”
Although the LLR is somewhat of a social event, added Johnson, it also serves as a means to learn.
“For those who are still in the military, events like this allow them to reach back to get mentorship, guidance and direction,” he said. “When some of these folks came up through the ranks, it was hard for them to make it but they made it. Sometimes you’ve got to take that difficult job, and talking to these folks and getting that mentorship is a big help.”
Retired Master Sgt. James “Jimbo” Lupori, a resident of Hopewell who jokingly said his pal Patterson is “old as dirt,” has been present for many of the reunions. He said he relishes his old friendships and looks forward to the feelings of deprivation he gets when learning about new equipment and technologies through the briefings and static displays.
“I was in from 1960-82,” he said. “We didn’t have all this high-tech stuff that exists now.”
Retired Master Sgt. Darryl Johnson, a former instructor who retired in 2003, also frequents the event. The local resident said part of its appeal is the close associations participants gain as a result of training those who have a hand in moving the Army from one destination to the other.
“The training side is special and near and dear to my heart,” he said. “The Soldiers we trained have an effect all across the world because nothing moves without petroleum and water.”
In addition to the events at Stewart-Roye Hall, the guests were invited to the unveiling of an updated petroleum and water exhibit at the QM Museum. On Saturday, a picnic was scheduled in Hopewell. Brig. Gen. Rodney Fogg, the Quartermaster General, was scheduled to speak.
| Date Taken: | 09.15.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 09.15.2016 09:38 |
| Story ID: | 209693 |
| Location: | US |
| Web Views: | 36 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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