Posted on 01/29/2005 12:11:16 PM PST by SandRat
FORT HUACHUCA - Four soldiers, a sailor, Marine, airman and civilian were honored Friday as the best of the best for 2004 by post officials.
Setting the tone for the awards banquet, Garrison Command Sgt. Maj. Robert Voss told the audience of more than 275 people that the event was to recognize "our superheroes."
With every branch of America's armed forces stationed on the post, the annual event ensures each service and the civilian work force receives recognition.
The winners in the Navy, Marine, Air Force and civilian categories knew before the banquet who had been chosen.
The soldiers had to wait to find out if they were to be named drill sergeant or instructor or soldier or noncommissioned officer of the year. They were kept in suspense until their names were announced. Three soldiers competed for Drill Sergeant of the Year, four were Instructor of the Year hopefuls, a pair had competed for Soldier of the Year and a trio were considered for Noncommissioned Officer of the Year.
Before the names were officially read for the eight winners, dinner had to be eaten and a speech had to be given.
U.S. Rep. Rick Renzi, R-Ariz., a graduate of Buena High School in Sierra Vista, spoke during the ceremony. He said the people who wear the uniform of the nation's armed forces are ensuring freedom throughout the world.
Looking forward to Sunday's elections in Iraq, Renzi, who represents Congressional District 1, an area mostly in the northern part of Arizona, said there will be car bombs and suicide bombs, and others who will kill people during Iraq's election day. Regardless of what actions are take by insurgents, "We will be victorious in Iraq," he said.
It is due to the sweat and blood of Americans - those in the military and civilian supporters - who are ensuring the first free election in that troubled country will happen, the congressman said.
General of the Army Douglas MacArthur said the nation's soldiers are part of the highest religious teaching that sees sacrifice as something honorable, Renzi said.
The lives of those who served in America's armed forces are marked by significant courage and strength, he said.
By serving, a soldier provides moral and professional compassion to comrades and peers, Renzi remarked.
Those in the military and the civilians who step forward "have one common thing, a willingness and desire to serve others," he said.
Noting he read the biographies of each person being honored Friday night, Renzi said the documents showed each of them engaged in selfless service, as was noted in where they had been stationed - many in global hot spots such as South Korea, Bosnia, Kosovo and Iraq.
He said those who were waiting to be honored in the audience have given liberty to his family, which includes retired Army Maj. Gen. Gene Renzi, who once was stationed at Fort Huachuca, the congressman's wife and their 12 children.
"We are free today, because of you," Renzi said.
It was then time to honor the 2004 winners, those who Voss called superheroes.
Before each name was announced biographies of the known winners and those whose names were still secret were read in each category.
Helen Sites was the first person honored as Civilian of the Year, followed by Sailor of the Year, Petty Officer 1st Class William Brian Mullis. Marine of the Year Cpl. Jose Sanchez then came forward, followed by Tech. Sgt. John Holcomb, the Air Force Noncommissioned Officer of the Year. Those four were all known winners.
The time came to call up the soldiers, but first biographies of the candidates. For some the process was slow, waiting for the official announcement.
And, like the known winners, cheers went up for each person named - Sgt. 1st Class Franklin Crallie as Drill Sergeant of the Year, Staff Sgt. Jere K. Jaillite Jr. as Instructor of the Year, Pfc. Rico Rico the fort's Soldier of the Year, and Sgt. Dazzarie Guzman as the post's NCO of the Year.
Each winner spoke thanking their families, their co-workers and those who were in competition with them.
Guzman and Rico received an Army Commendation Medal, while Sites was presented the Commander's Public Service Award presented to civilians.
Maj. Gen. Barbara Fast, the senior intelligence officer on the fort, said that in today's Army, soldiers find themselves being deployed to combat areas soon after training is done. Likewise, those on the fort who instruct, are drill sergeants or part of the fort's cadre come from and return to assignments in such places as Iraq.
Like Renzi, Fast said it is the magnificent sense of duty that is leading to elections in Iraq.
America's noncommissioned officers are seen by others in the world as being the people who get things done, she said.
Others envy America's NCOs "and targets them," she said.
God Bless our Troops!
Now the image works.
Bump!
Dad was stationed there for a bit when I was younger. Always liked Ft. Hoochie Coochie.
The town has grown a bit. Hwy 90 from I-10 to post is now a four-lane divided highway all the way to Huachuca City the it's a five lane (suicide turn lane in the middle) the rest of the way into and even down French Fry Blvd in Sierra Vista
Thanks, 'Rat!
We've got kids out at Huachuca who will join us in theater - putting one last edge on the blade, before going in.
While working as a civilian contractor I had one of the best seafood meals at the restaurant just outside the gate in Sierra Vista. Who would have thought.
Setting the tone for the awards banquet, Garrison Command Sgt. Maj. Robert Voss told the audience of more than 275 people that the event was to recognize "our superheroes."
Don't you just love CSM Voss?
Not to sound corny here...
But I've raised my kids to recognize MIL, Police, Firemen, et al Rescue force as real superheroes.
I was competing with cartoon marketing at first....then 9/11 happened in front of their eyes. No, they weren't 'there', but we live close enough that we had ash and wet burn smells for months.
They did see the bus that came to our block to pick up my husband and neighbors to deploy there.
They did see the neighbor's kids and pets left with my friends and I to watch since we didn't know when our husband's would be back.
They still see the parades with our own firetrucks that have signs, This engine responded to the WTC '01'
I have no trouble at all now redirecting their superhero comments to the actual superheroes.
Now they admire the ROTC program at their school.
Maybe some good comes from the bad.
That makes all of the times I've pondered, hesitated trying to decide whether to put in a story from here about the soldiers in dissapear. I'll not hesitate again.
Bump!
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