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    Veterans visit ‘Vanguards’

    Veterans visit ‘Vanguards’

    Photo By Staff Sgt. Takita Lawery | Staff Sgt. Juan Cruz, a section sergeant assigned to Company B, 1st Combined Arms...... read more read more

    FORT RILEY, KS, UNITED STATES

    12.01.2016

    Story by Sgt. Takita Lawery 

    19th Public Affairs Detachment

    The 1st Combined Arms Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, welcomed retired Col. Edwin W. Chamberlain III, Richard Jacobs, Lawrence Van Kuran, retired Col. Mike McDermott and Jim Sharp to Fort Riley to attend the “Vanguard” battalion reunion ball Dec. 1.

    The five distinguished guest toured the battalion’s area of operation, as well as shared stories of their experiences while serving in the battalion.
    “I’m part of the living history of this unit,” said Sharp, a World War II veteran of the battalion. “This unit has been protecting our nation for more than 100 years and it’s the history that makes me proud of this unit.”

    Chamberlain, who was a former Vanguard commander and participated in Desert Shield and Desert Storm, said he tries to visit with the 1st Bn., 18th Inf. Regt., at least once a year, mainly around the holiday season because meeting with the Soldiers is everything to him.

    “I had the opportunity to command the best battalion in the Army,” Chamberlain said. “This rejuvenates me every time I get to meet with the Soldiers.”

    While there, Chamberlain, the honorary colonel of the 18th Inf. Regt., stressed the importance of Soldiers knowing the history of their unit and where it has been.

    “It’s important for the Soldiers to know and understand where their regiment has been,” Chamberlain said. “I think this gives them an anchor. They can say I’m a part of something bigger than myself, bigger than all of us.”

    With the anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack nearing, Sharp was on hand to discuss his memories of the war.

    Sharp, who served in the Battle of the Bulge during WWII, spoke about two of his memories about the bombing of Pearl Harbor. He was a junior in high school when he heard about the bombing.

    “I remember six words that changed my life from that point on: The Japanese are bombing Pearl Harbor,” Sharp said.

    He had decided to join the military with his friends after hearing that news. He also discussed how he was lucky to have made it out alive when the war was declared over.

    “When I heard that the war was over, I felt very lucky to be alive so I counted my blessings ever since,” the White City, Kansas, native said.

    During the visit, a few of the distinguished guests were on hand to present awards and gifts, as well as promote Vanguard Soldiers to their next rank. The day culminated with the unit’s reunion ball, where Chamberlain was the guest speaker.

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 12.01.2016
    Date Posted: 12.06.2016 13:06
    Story ID: 216597
    Location: FORT RILEY, KS, US

    Web Views: 116
    Downloads: 0

    PUBLIC DOMAIN