FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. — Sore from a grueling 15-mile ruck march the day before during the Military Police Regimental Week Warrior Competition at Fort Leonard Wood, a 4th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade soldier stood tall and proud for the Committee of Fifty luncheon, at St. Robert’s Hampton Inn.
Local military and community leaders gathered to honor Spc. Willie Sheppard, 988th Military Police Company, for his stellar accomplishments being selected as the 2010 4th MEB, Maneuver Support Center of Excellence and 1st Infantry Division soldier of the year. Sheppard said he was proud to know those civilians from the local community gathered to highlight his efforts as well as the continued efforts of soldiers throughout Fort Leonard Wood.
“Soldiers should know that the community surrounding their installation supports them and things like this are a great tool to show appreciation for all that we do,” Said Sheppard.
The Committee of Fifty, an organization comprised of business and community leaders in St. Robert and Waynesville, holds a monthly luncheon to recognize outstanding troops on Fort Leonard Wood. Sheppard received numerous certificates, savings bonds and several plaques and thanked his unit for seeing the potential in him to progress through the ranks to make a difference. He added, “My officers, NCO’s and leadership have all been amazing and you need to know that the things you do don't go unnoticed and your leadership is going to back you.”
His supervisor, Sgt. 1st Class Albert Delamarter said Sheppard has been a model soldier. “If I had a Heisman Trophy here, I believe he’d walk out with it,” Delamarter said
Sheppard’s future endeavors include becoming a member of the prestigious Audie Murphy Club and continue to have a heart to succeed at anything he tries to do.
Sheppard added, “You learn hard work, perseverance and good work ethics and you can apply those things to anything whether you’re in the military or not.”