May 20, 2017 -- FORT MCCOY, WIS. -- The Fort McCoy community gathered together for an “Our Community Salutes” event at Fort McCoy, Wisconsin on Armed Forces Day to salute graduating high school seniors who have enlisted in the military.
“Our Community Salutes”, created in 2009 by Dr. Kenneth E. Hartman, is a national non-profit organization designed to recognize and honor high school seniors who have committed to enlist in the Armed Forces following high school graduation.
Fort McCoy Senior Commander and 88th Regional Support Command Commanding General, Maj. Gen. Patrick Reinert spoke at the event which hosted more than one hundred attendees including U.S. Army, U.S. Army Reserve, Wisconsin Army National Guard and U.S. Coast Guard enlistees, their family members and friends, Army Reserve Ambassador for Wisconsin Gerald W. Meyer, 88th RSC Legislative Liaison Col. Michael Holland and a special guest of honor, Medal of Honor recipient Command Sergeant Major (Ret.) Kenneth E. Stumpf.
“I am honored be invited here today to help welcome our Future Service Members to the Armed Forces Team,” Reinert said. “You are now a part of the one percent of Americans willing to raise your hands and dedicate your lives to the safety and security of our Nation.”
Simon Michael Frost, a high school senior from Adams, Wis., who enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve as an infantryman and will leave for basic training in late August, attended the event and spoke with Vietnam veterans excited to welcome new Soldiers into the fold.
“The veterans here are giving me a lot of good advice and they told me the first couple of days of boot camp were going to be rough, but after that it would mellow out a little,” said Frost.
“I’m excited but also a little nervous,” Frost said. “I’ve never had something this structured in my life before and I do like structure. It will be interesting to see how it goes,” Frost said. “It’s pretty nice that the community is coming out to support everybody.”
Reinert shared some experiences from his more than 30 year career in the U.S. Army Reserve and left the Future Service Members with some words of wisdom.
“What lies ahead is one of the most rewarding careers you could hope for,” Reinert said. “You will forge life-long friendships and experience once in a lifetime opportunities. Take advantage the education benefits available,” Reinert continued, “and use the support systems provided. Learn every day. And take care of those around you.”
Reinert also shared his gratitude to the families of these graduating seniors.
“For the families of these soon-to-be service members,” Reinert said, “I want to say thank you. Thank you for letting us borrow your sons, your daughters, your family members, your friends. Your sacrifice does not go unnoticed.”
Speaking to the Future Service Members, Reinert said he was humbled by their decision to make a commitment that less than one percent of Americans were willing or able to make and wished them the best of luck in their military service.
“Our Community Salutes” has recognized more than six thousand high school seniors nationwide and more than six hundred and fifty high school seniors from Wisconsin and Illinois.
Speakers at the “Our Community Salutes” event along with Reinert included Maj. Gen. Paul Lima, U.S. Army (Ret.) and Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army; Rear Admiral Steven Day, U.S. Coast Guard (Ret.); Command Sergeant Major Mark Poindexter, U.S. Army Recruiting Command; and Cheryl Wenzel a Military Mom, daughter, sister-in-law, U.S. Navy wife, and former Public Relations Specialist for the Naval Station Recreation Services.
To read more about Medal of Honor Recipient CSM (Ret.) Kenneth E. Stumpf, please visit http://www.cmohs.org/recipient-detail/3427/stumpf-kenneth-e.php