By Sgt. 1st Class Darren D. Heusel
105th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
KABUL, Afghanistan " Col. David Lamm, chief of staff for Combined Forces Command-Afghanistan, recalled receiving his "quarterly phone call" from his wife, Kathy, the other day. She said she ran into an old college buddy of his peddling latex balloons to grocery stores back home in New York.
While his former college mate is making good money at his chosen profession, that is nothing compared to the contribution 30 Soldiers from the 25th Infantry Division (Light) stationed at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, have made to the Global War on Terrorism, Lamm said.
The 25th ID Soldiers were honored during an awards ceremony Feb. 5 at Kabul Compound, just days ahead of when they are to return home after a year-long deployment to Afghanistan.
"What you have done over the past year is make history and you are to be
commended for your efforts," Lamm said.
During the past year, the 25th ID Soldiers helped pave the way for Afghanistan's first-ever presidential election and create a model that would be duplicated in Iraq.
Receiving the Bronze Star Medal were Col. Samuel Johnson, Lt. Col. Stephen Christian, Lt. Col. Daniel Larsen, Maj. Mark Emmer, Maj. Steven Fuinetti, Maj. Brian McMullen, Maj. Edward Miiller, Maj. Everett Rogers, Maj. Gerald Stadler, Maj. James Wilmeth, Capt. Kazeem Adigun and Capt. Cory Kwarta.
Also receiving Bronze Stars were Capt. Fredrick Mahler, Capt. William May, Capt. Mark Rea, Capt. Cameron Thorley, Capt. Matthew Wagoner, Capt. James Westgate, Chief Warrant Officer Manuel Ortiz, Master Sgt. Robert Brown, Sgt. 1st Class Michael Anderson, Sgt. 1st Class Kevin Bruhn, Sgt. 1st Class Teddy Woods and Sgt. Terrence Wideman.
Receiving the Defense Meritorious Service Medal was Spc. George Fry, while receiving the Joint Service Commendation Medal were Staff Sgt. Rolan Sarabay, Sgt. Steve Johnson, Spc. Courtney Carter, Spc. Joseph McKeague and Spc. Francis Rich.
British Maj. Gen. Peter Gilchrist, deputy commanding general for CFC-A, told the group their 'selfless service and commitment to mission accomplishment in a combat zone, under the most extreme of circumstances, greatly contributed to the success of Operation Enduring Freedom."