Photo By 1st Lt. Nahjier Williams | U.S. Army Soldiers and civilians join in prayer according to their own faith and...... read more read more
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SMITH BARRACKS, Baumholder, Germany — Soldiers, Families, and friends of the 95th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion filled the Rheinlander Community Club as volunteers hurried to set up extra tables and chairs for the growing crowd.
This year’s gathering marked the second iteration of the battalion’s “Praise and Graze” event — formally hosted on May 20, 2026, by the Battalion Unit Ministry Team as UMT Appreciation Night, themed The Graze and Praise. Approximately 260 Soldiers and Family members attended the event, which focused on recognizing excellence, strengthening community bonds and celebrating the collective efforts that sustain the formation.
BN Chaplain Capt. Mike Kim opened the evening with an invocation centered on spiritual wellness, encouraging Soldiers and Families to reflect on gratitude, resilience and connection.
The event featured quiz-style activities highlighting battalion history, promoting team building and giving Soldiers and spouses of the 1,000‑Soldier formation an opportunity to connect. Throughout the evening, 1st Lt. Drew Johannes, the narrator, invited guests to participate in the Moment of Sharing, during which Soldiers and Family volunteers exchanged words of encouragement and appreciation. The testimonies — offered by both Soldiers and spouses — strengthened unit cohesion and underscored the emotional ties that extend beyond the uniform.
Lt. Col. James Seale and Command Sgt. Maj. Garry Kisko, the battalion command team, recognized several Soldiers for outstanding performance, including Cpl. Kelvonda Harris, a 92A, an Automated Logistical Specialist, assigned to the Supply Support Activity. Harris was honored as the distinguished honor graduate of her Basic Leader Course cycle after earning a perfect 100 percent GPA and achieving a first‑time pass on all graded tasks.
In the spirit of servant leadership, the command team, senior leaders of the Herd, and Command Sgt. Maj. Jimmy Ingram, the 16th Sustainment Brigade command sergeant major, stepped into an adjoining room to serve food to attendees.
Another highlight of the evening was the battalion’s special recognition of civilian staff from the Baumholder dining facilities and the Rheinlander Community Club. Leaders formally acknowledged their hard work, dedication and service — reinforcing the importance of honoring contributions that support readiness, even when they come from outside the formation.
Many attendees were members of the Soldier and Family Readiness Group, along with senior spouse advisors from the battalion and brigade. Mrs. Avery and Mrs. Sauseda each shared personal reflections about what being part of the Herd family meant to them. Their remarks blended humor, gratitude and emotion, drawing both laughter and quiet appreciation from the audience.
Mrs. Christi Kisko also addressed the crowd, emphasizing the vital role of the Soldier and Family Readiness Group in sustaining readiness and sharing stories from her long involvement with FRG and SFRG programs dating back to her husband’s earliest days in the Army. She offered special recognition to Mrs. Karen Kim, spouse of the battalion chaplain.
For the Kim family — who have served with the battalion since shortly after its 2023 reactivation — the evening marked their final Herd event before their upcoming PCS.
The night concluded with dozens of Soldiers and spouses receiving certificates of appreciation for their contributions to the battalion. The event served as a reminder that the collective efforts of Soldiers, families, civilian partners and volunteers remain essential to mission readiness and the overall resilience of the Herd.
| Date Taken: | 06.10.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 06.11.2026 19:45 |
| Story ID: | 567476 |
| Location: | BAUMHOLDER, DE |
| Web Views: | 9 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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