Army Reserve leader in lockstep with Bronx veterans

Photo By Sgt. Salvatore Ottaviano | Maj. Gen. Mark Palzer, commanding general of the U.S. Army Reserve’s 99th Readiness Division and senior geographic commander for the northeast, joined fellow service members and veterans for the 35th Annual Bronx Veterans Day Parade Nov. 10. “We must ensure that the military continues to endure; we need to remain ready at all times,” said Palzer, who served tours in both Afghanistan and Iraq. “The key to military success is your continued support as a community, as a nation.” (U.S. Army Photo by Sal Ottaviano, 99th DIV(R))  

BRONX, NY, UNITED STATES

11.10.2019

Story by Staff Sgt. Shawn Morris 

99th Readiness Division

THE BRONX, N.Y. – The U.S. Army Reserve’s senior geographic commander for the northeast region joined in the 35th Annual Bronx Veterans Day Parade Nov. 10.

Maj. Gen. Mark Palzer, commanding general of the Army Reserve’s 99th Readiness Division, marched with fellow service members and veterans before delivering remarks following the parade’s conclusion.

“I look out in front of me, and that’s what humbles me,” Palzer said to the post-parade crowd gathered at Bicentennial Veterans Memorial Park. “It humbles me to see these individuals who have been serving well before I even started in the military, and those who are going to be in long after I retire.”

Palzer spoke of the tens of millions of Americans who have served the nation in uniform, to include nearly two million who served in recent history as part of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.

“These heroes ensured Liberty’s flame would remain lit,” said Palzer, a distinguished military graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. “These are the people we celebrate today – the flame still burns in their hearts, and you can see it in their eyes.”

Palzer also addressed the “civilian-military divide,” noting that studies show that only 12 percent of youth feel connected to the military, only 13 percent are likely to join the service, only 27 percent can name all five services, and 42 percent of all military recruits come from only five states.

“We must ensure that the military continues to endure; we need to remain ready at all times,” said Palzer, who served tours in both Afghanistan and Iraq. “The key to military success is your continued support as a community, as a nation. I especially want to thank all of you for coming out today and keeping this flame alive.”

• Date Taken: 11.10.2019
• Date Posted: 11.12.2019 14:05
• Story ID: 351433
• Location: BRONX, NY, US