Photo By Sgt. 1st Class John Zumer | Guests at the St. Barbara’s Day Ball, held at Ramstein Air Base on March 22, raise...... read more read more
Subscribe
KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany – Good food, elegantly clad ladies, and distinguished speakers usually make for an unforgettable evening, and the annual Artillery Branch Ball, held at the Ramstein Officers Club on March 22, was no exception.
More than 600 people came together for an evening of fun, dancing and prize giveaways. But more importantly the event, commonly known as the St. Barbara’s Day Ball, recognized the past and continuing importance of the artillery branch to the U.S. Army.
It was co-hosted by the Kaiserslautern-based 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command and the 19th Battlefield Coordination Detachment. One common denominator bringing everyone together was a healthy respect and admiration for the artillery branch, which includes “The King of Battle” and “First to Fire” soldiers.
The artillery branch enjoys a time-honored legacy of doing the difficult and unpleasant work that has to be done in combat, and that distinction hasn’t gone unnoticed in the highest reaches of power, said Riki Ellison, who served as the night’s keynote speaker.
Ellison, a former professional football player with three Super Bowl rings earned as a San Francisco 49er, is now a staunch advocate of missile defense working to bring awareness to air and space challenges facing the United States. He was grateful to speak with so many soldiers, and even quicker to draw comparisons between his football career, present vocation and the daily challenges facing those in attendance.
“We’re going to be out there supporting your mission, which is much more important than being a professional athlete on Sundays,” said Ellison.
While Ellison’s comments, often filled with anecdotes from his football career, provided the necessary historical and cultural background that highlighted the importance of the artillery branch, the evening’s pageantry reinforced the many traditions that have defined the U.S. Army, both past and present.
Col. Stephen Richmond, commander of the 10th AAMDC, presided over the posting of the colors at the beginning of the ball. Toasts were later made for the benefit of distinguished guests and fellow comrades, including those who couldn’t attend. Specifically honored were fallen comrades from past and present conflicts who had died so others could enjoy the benefits of freedom.
The round of toasts concluded by acknowledging the women in attendance, many of whom looked resplendent in their evening gowns.
One of the ladies, Lindsey Lamage, was taking in her first military ball. Married to husband Staff Sgt. Michael Lamage, an airlift noncommissioned officer in charge with the 19th BCD, her initial concerns of the event being formal and rigid quickly vanished.
“Everyone is a little more spirited than I thought they’d be, and everyone just looks beautiful,” she said.
After dinner, Col. Richmond was joined by U.S. Army Col. Steven Hite, commander of the 19th BCD in honoring recipients of the Order of St. Barbara, whose membership is reserved for those who have served the artillery branch with distinction. The award is named after St. Barbara, the patron saint of artillerymen.
The two commanders also used the evening to recognize several ladies with “Molly Pitcher” medals, given to spouses who have made a significant contribution to the artillery mission. The award symbolizes the sacrifice and commitment of the artillery spouse, and notes the courage needed to send their artillerymen into harm’s way.
Col. Hite helped bring the ball to its formal end as he presided over the retiring of the colors, but that hardly marked the end of the evening. Indeed, for some it was merely the beginning, as couples took to the dance floor.
“It was fun,” said Staff Sgt. Shedrick Holland, a supply sergeant with the 13th Missile Defense Detachment who had come to support the artillery branch with two dozen members of his unit.
Holland said one of the best things in the artillery, and on full display at the ball, is the devotion to the spouses and others whose unwavering support makes things possible.
“It’s putting family first,” he said.
That importance, prominently featured in the artillery’s mission to do what must be done for our nation, is even more relevant today, as the evening’s main speaker emphasized.
“Great defenses are always the key to winning championships, battles and wars,” said Ellison.
| Date Taken: | 04.04.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 04.04.2013 05:36 |
| Story ID: | 104588 |
| Location: | KAISERSLAUTERN, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, DE |
| Web Views: | 632 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Artillery branch marks past, present at St. Barbara's Day Ball, by SFC John Zumer, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
