Photo By Spc. Salvador Castro | Col. Thomas Goettke, the Division Artillery (DIVARTY) Commander inducts Soldiers into...... read more read more
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The Season of St. Barbara was in full swing last week among 10th Mountain Division Artillery (DIVARTY) personnel on Fort Drum. Soldiers participated in cohesion-building competitions like Ruffner’s Challenge, completed leadership development courses like the CORE Recon training, strengthened esprit de corps with a regimental run, and culminated with the DIVARTY Ball, honoring individuals for their dedication to the artillery field and volunteer work.
The legend of St. Barbara's story begins when she converted to Christianity against her pagan father’s wishes. Her father commissioned a bathhouse to be built for her; seeing it was built with only two windows, she created another window in the building to represent the Holy Trinity.
Seeing this drove her father into a fit of rage, and he took her to the top of a tall mountain and beheaded her. On his descent back down the mountain, the father was struck down by lightning, with only his sword – scarred from the lightning – remaining as a symbol of God’s vengeance.
This led to Barbara becoming the patron saint of those in peril of sudden death from thunderstorms, fire, and explosions.
DIVARTY Soldiers began this celebration of the Season of St. Barbara with Ruffner's Challenge, which consisted of teams competing in physical events that pushed them to their limits. Over a span of two days, Soldiers had to use teamwork, will, and determination to complete each task.
Next, Soldiers across DIVARTY took part in a leadership development course, CORE Recon training, Jan. 23-24. Led by retired Chaplain (Col.) Bobby Whitlock, the training taught about different communication and personality styles and how to enhance the connection within each of their teams.
The DIVARTY personnel started their morning on Jan. 24 by gathering at The Peak for St. Barbara’s Spiritual Readiness Breakfast with Whitlock as the guest speaker. The retired chaplain talked about the “But if not” transmission from the besieged army at Dunkirk and how we can be like the soldiers on the beach who were waiting for rescue but were ready to answer the call even if it meant the ultimate sacrifice. He challenged us to not only build up ourselves but also our soldiers.
“Great leaders make investments,” Whitlock said. “They pour themselves into the lives of the Soldiers and families they lead."
The Season of St. Barbara continued with the rain pouring down around the Soldiers as they took off for the DIVARTY Run on Jan. 26. The sound of the rain and footsteps could not drown out the thunderous cadences that permeated the foggy Fort Drum morning as Soldiers ran down the roads.
All of these events during the Season of St. Barbara led up to the DIVARTY Ball. Here Soldiers gathered and celebrated their past, present and future. As each charge – a liquid symbolizing moments from their past or other significance – was poured into the grog, the feeling of esprit de corps grew. The cheers rang when Soldiers raised their drinks as the grog was completed.
“Please note that membership in the order is limited to only the very best of the stone hurlers, archers, gunners, and cannoneers,” said Maj. Andrew Lincoln, the DIVARTY executive officer, as they prepared to honor the night’s awardees. “In its solemn ceremonies, the Order of Saint Barbara links artillery men and women of the past and present in the brotherhood and sisterhood of professionalism which perpetuates the spirit of the King of Battle.”
The Ancient order is reserved for an elite few who stand above the rest in terms of lifetime service on behalf of the United States and the Field Artillery community. The following individuals were awarded the Ancient Order of St. Barbara:
● Col. Thomas Goettke
● Col. Richard Johnson
● Command Sgt. Maj. Freddie Thompson IV
● Chief Warrant Officer 4 Todd Franklin
● Jeffery Long
The Honorable Order of St. Barbara recognizes those who have demonstrated the utmost integrity, moral character, and professional competence while serving the United States Field Artillery with distinction. The following Soldiers were inducted into the order:
● First Rank
o Col. Daniel Kearney
o Maj. Jennifer Meier
o Maj. Joshua Lynch
o Chief Warrant Officer 5 James Vanmeter
o Chief Warrant Officer 5 Ramon Sandejas
o Chief Warrant Officer 4 John Dunleavy
o Chief Warrant Officer 2 Douglass McKee
o Sgt. 1st Class Derek Tully
o Staff Sgt. Christopher Bates
o Cpt. Justin Senecal
o 1st Sgt. Christpher Max
● Second Rank
o Cpt. Maxwell Burbidge
o Cpt. Timothy Carter
o Cpt. Edger Lopez
o Cpt. Joshua Crisostomo
o Cpt. Reuben Ramdath
o 1st Sgt. Christopher Simpson
o Sgt. 1st Class Jesse Bagley
o Sgt. 1st Class Gadiel Ortega
o Sgt. 1st Class Alexander Suess
o Sgt. 1st Class Brian Croushore
o Sgt. 1st Class Michael Key
o Sgt. 1st Class Eric Rienscher
o Staff Sgt. Tyler Evans
o Staff Sgt. Kyle Mullen
o Staff Sgt. Joshua Stone
o Staff Sgt. Nicholas Wright
Not only were Soldiers honored but also some Soldiers’ wives. The Molly Pitcher Award is named after Mary Ludwig Hayes McCauley, who at the Battle of Monmouth on the June 28, 1778, was bringing Soldiers pitchers of water and carrying wounded troops to the rear. Upon bringing one Soldier back, she saw her husband become injured, and without hesitation she took the rammer staff from his hands and continued the job as a gunner.
For her heroics, Gen. George Washington awarded her the rank as a noncommissioned officer. She was hence known as “Sergeant Molly.”
The following individuals were presented the Molly Pitcher Award for their faithful and devoted service to the artillery:
● Aun’janaya Ramdath
● Shannon Rutledge
● Kimberly Stone
● Karlie Hendrix
● Samantha Max
Receiving the Esteemed Order of Molly Pitcher Award:
● Lea Johnson
The Season of St. Barbara gives us a chance to honor and remember those who came before, those with whom we currently serve, and those yet to come. The tradition lives on with these DIVARTY Soldiers as they challenged themselves physically, mentally, and spiritually. No matter the road ahead, these Soldiers know they can rely on each other and will continue being the King of Battle.
| Date Taken: | 01.26.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 01.30.2024 14:32 |
| Story ID: | 462711 |
| Location: | FORT DRUM, NY, US |
| Web Views: | 37 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, The King of Battle’s season has arrived., by SGT Josiah Jenkins, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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