Photo By Melissa Buckley | U.S. Army Military Police School leaders, Commandant Col. Charles Green (center),...... read more read more
FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. — From Sept. 22 to 26, Military Police Soldiers gathered at the home of the regiment and the U.S. Army Military Police School, to celebrate 84 years of the U.S. Army Military Police Corps at Fort Leonard Wood.
This year’s regimental theme was, “The Shield — Protecting the Force, Enabling the Fight.”
“This theme is more than a slogan — it is a promise,” said USAMPS Commandant Col. Charles Green.
“It's a promise that no matter the threat, no matter the hour, no matter the cost, we will stand between danger and those we are privileged to protect,” he said. “It is our duty to protect, to defend, to serve, and this duty to act as a shield and deliver on our promise, has no expiration date, no time off and no shortcuts.”
The week kicked off Sept. 22 with 40, 503rd MP Battalion Soldiers parachuting from the sky over Forney Drop Zone during the Regimental Jump.
That afternoon, Soldiers gathered in the Main Post Chapel for the MP Memorial Tribute.
Regimental Chaplain (Maj.) Michael Demmon opened the ceremony with a prayer before a choir from the Waynesville High School performed the national anthem followed by several solemn songs.
Keynote speaker, USAMPS Command Sgt. Maj. James Rutherford, began his remarks by thanking the Gold Star families for attending.
“Your presence is a testament to the enduring bond we share, and we sincerely thank you for being here,” Rutherford said.
During regimental week, MPs celebrate their unity, strength and shared purpose, Rutherford added, but the memorial tribute is about remembrance, reflection and honor.
“Today, in this sacred moment, we set aside celebration to honor loss,” he said.
“We remember the weight on the families who carry the enduring pain of their absence, and we pledge to support them, to keep their loved ones' memories alive, and to live in a way that honors their legacy.”
Rutherford said coming together to honor MP Soldiers who paid the ultimate sacrifice, reminds him of the profound legacy of the MP Corps.
“Since our establishment in 1941, we have served as guardians of the border, protectors of justice and steadfast defenders of our Army's boundaries,” he said. “However, this legacy comes at a cost. A cost bore by those whose names are etched in our hearts and our own words, whose absence we feel deeply today.”
Rutherford said the fallen MPs were not just Soldiers, but sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, parents and friends.
“They patrolled dangerous roads, stood watch in the darkest hours and faced uncertainty so that others could know safety,” he said. “Their lives inspire us to be better Soldiers, better leaders and better stewards of the trust placed in us. Let us honor their memory by continuing their mission with unwavering dedication.”
The memorial service closed with a ceremonial wreath laying, firing of volleys and taps.
Sept. 23, spouses braved the rainy weather to gather and participate in MP activities and enjoy lunch at the 795th MP Battalion’s Army Warrior Restaurant.
During the Regiment Honors Recognition and Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony Sept. 25 in Lincoln Hall Auditorium, the following were recognized for their contributions to the MP Corps.
New this year, the Lt. Col. Mark M. Weber Professional Writing Award was established for his lasting impact on professional writing within the regiment.
“Lt. Col. Weber was a phenomenal leader, father and Soldier. Before his passing, he gifted us with a powerful legacy, his book ‘Tell My Sons: A Father's Last Letters.’ In it, he offered not just advice for life, but a call for character,” Green said. “He showed us strength is not always found in armor, but in truth and vulnerability, and in the written word.”
Professional writing awardees this year were retired Lt. Cols. Anthony Perrizo and Christopher Evans, and retired Col. Robert Davel.
The MP Corps also recognized the hard work and dedication of two NCOs during a presentation of the Command Sgt. Maj. James W. Frye NCO of Excellence Award.
Top honors went to 1st Sgt. Stevie Feliciano and Staff Sgt. Roland Dore.
The Regimental Chief Warrant Officer Philp E. Tackett Excellence in Policing Award went to Special Agent Patrick Pierce, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the Army Criminal Investigation Division Midcentral Field Office at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.
Distinguished Members of the Corps were retired Brig. Gen. Thomas Jones; retired Cols. Geoffrey Stewart, Charles Williams, Robert Dillon and Michael Peck; retired Command Sgt. Maj. Michael True; retired Chief Warrant Officer 5 Willie Rowell; retired Special Agent Thomas Barnes; retired Chief Warrant Officer 3 Edwin Stedman; and Department of the Army civilian, Judith Bauer.
Hall of Fame Inductees this year included: retired Maj. Gen. Mark Inch; retired Cols. John Bogdan, James Brown and Timothy Chmura; retired Command Sgts. Maj. Freddie Brock and Michael Hayes; and Pfc. William Sander, who was killed in action May 12, 1967, while serving in Vietnam.
MPs concluded the week Sept. 26 with a ball in Nutter Field House.
To view more photos from MP regimental events, visit Fort Leonard Wood’s Flickr page.
| Date Taken: | 09.26.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 10.01.2025 09:06 |
| Story ID: | 549809 |
| Location: | US |
| Web Views: | 22 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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