Photo By Master Sgt. Becky Vanshur | The Idaho Order of the Sword, not to be mistaken from the United States Air Force...... read more read more
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GOWEN FIELD, Idaho – Behind locked doors, a ceremony so honorable and powerful it brought Maj. Gen. Gary Sayler and others to tears, as he sat in humbled silence while receiving the award inside a large hangar full of enlisted Soldiers and Airmen on Nov. 4, 2017.
“When you have such a high regard for the enlisted as I do, and to think this is the highest award they can give me, it is just so awesome,” said Sayler, former Idaho National Guard’s Adjutant General (TAG). “The ceremony that went with it will make a grown man tear up. The fact they chose to give it to me says even more about it. It is beyond words. It is a true highlight for me because it came directly from them.”
The Idaho Order of the Sword, not to be mistaken from the United States Air Force Order of the Sword, is the most prestigious award given by Idaho’s noncommissioned officers and was given to Sayler during his last weekend working as the adjutant general for the Idaho National Guard, before retiring. The ceremony included ancient traditions presented on scrolled parcel, a plaque, and a large framed sword carried by four joint honor guardsmen.
“Ancient noncommissioned officers would honor their leader and pledge their loyalty by ceremoniously presenting him with a sword,” said Chief Master Sgt. Harold Bongiovi, the senior enlisted leader for the Idaho National Guard. “The sword, a symbol of truth, justice, and power rightfully used, served as a token for all to see and know that here was a leader among leaders.”
The ancient ceremony known as "Royal Order of the Sword" was revised, updated and adopted by the noncommissioned officers of the U.S. Air Force in 1967. It was renamed “Order of the Sword” as an award given at the major command level, and is the highest tribute and honor that noncommissioned officers can bestow upon an individual. The Idaho Order of the Sword honors the same tradition at the state level, given to exceptional leaders from the Army and Air National Guard noncommissioned officers.
“Maj. Gen. Sayler, over the entire length of his 45 years in the military, has always been an exceptional leader and supporter of the enlisted corps. He believes in their talent and dedication and made every decision with trust and confidence in their ability,” said Bongiovi. “Likewise, he was a strong advocate in developing every enlisted member to the full extent of their ability, both personally and professionally. His dedication to the men and women of the Idaho National Guard is the kind of leadership deserving of an Idaho Order of the Sword.”
The Idaho Order of the Sword has only been awarded once before, to former TAG Maj. Gen. Jack Kane in 2005. The Idaho Master Sword and plaque with past recipients names resides at Headquarters Idaho Military Division, Gowen Field, Boise, Idaho.
“The award itself is very meaningful. I would like to thank everyone that was sitting there. Thank them for everything,” said Sayler. “Thank them for their dedication to their country and state, for giving up their own personal time to be a part of this organization. They are what make America great.”
| Date Taken: | 11.15.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 11.16.2017 01:17 |
| Story ID: | 255504 |
| Location: | BOISE AIR TERMINAL AIR GUARD STATION, ID, US |
| Web Views: | 403 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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