Photo By Spc. William Hatton | The Honorable Francis J. Harvey, Secretary of the Army, signs discharge papers prior...... read more read more
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By Pfc. William Hatton
7th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq - Soldiers have different reasons for reenlisting. It might be for the sake of their family, the love of the profession or the opportunity to continue serving their country. Three Soldiers not only had the opportunity to reenlist on Thanksgiving, but were privileged to have the Honorable Francis J. Harvey, Secretary of the Army, present at the ceremony.
The ceremony, held inside the Multi National Division-Baghdad headquarters here Camp Liberty Nov. 23, was presided over by Maj. Gen. Joseph Fil, Jr., commanding general of MND-B.
The troops appreciated Harvey's visit.
"Soldiers are here because they have to be, but he's taking the time to visit, and be away from his family during the holiday," said Sgt. Michael Garrett, one of the Soldiers who reenlisted and member of the 7th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment, Division Special Troops Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division.
"It was definitely a privilege to have the Secretary of the Army at the ceremony," said San Antonio native Sgt. 1st Class Roger Garcia, another Soldier who reenlisted, Division Troop Company, Special Troops Battalion, 4th Infantry Division. "Not many Soldiers get that opportunity."
"I'm reenlisting because of my family," Garrett said. He and his wife weighed the different options and career opportunities, but felt staying in the Army has the most security, the native of Conway, Ark., said.
"In the civilian sector, the company you work for can go out of business, or you could be laid off," Garrett said. "It's a very secure place as far as jobs go. It allows me to provide for my family. Even though I have to spend some time away from them, it is guaranteed security for them."
Retiring from the Army provides families with a great deal of security, said Sgt. Jeffrey Johnson, another Soldier who reenlisted. With that in mind, it was an easy decision, he added.
"I called my wife, telling her I was interested in reenlisting, and she said, 'Do It!,'" said Johnson, a native of Utica, N.Y.
For the Johnson family, and two other Soldier's families, Thanksgiving is a day they will always remember, not because it was a day spent with family, but because it was a day they strengthened the Army family.
| Date Taken: | 11.23.2006 |
| Date Posted: | 11.28.2006 13:11 |
| Story ID: | 8409 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 89 |
| Downloads: | 27 |
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