Photo By Capt. Fernando Ochoa | Command Sgt. Maj. Grady Blue, 311th ESC command sergeant major, Command Sgt. Maj....... read more read more
SAN PEDRO, Calif. – Brig. Gen. David Elwell, 311th Expeditionary Sustainment Command commanding general, hosted a Dining Out on the United States Ship Iowa (BB-61), the last lead ship of any class of United States battleships, March 4, at the Port of Los Angeles in San Pedro, and Maj. Gen. Mark Palzer, 79th Sustainment Support Command commanding general, served as the guest speaker.
A “dining out” is a traditional military ceremonial dinner designed to foster camaraderie and an “Esprit de Corps.” This event incorporates all of the military traditions associated with the more formal “mess night” or “dining in,” including a table setting dedicated to those military members killed, captured or missing in action.
The U.S.S. Iowa was decommissioned for the last time in the year 1990 and was initially stricken from the Naval Vessel Register in 1995. She was reinstated from 1999 to 2006 to comply with federal laws that required retention and maintenance of two Iowa-class battleships.
In 2011, the Iowa was donated to the Los Angeles based non-profit Pacific Battleship Center and was permanently moved to Berth 87 at the Port of Los Angeles in 2012, where she was opened to the public as the U.S.S. Iowa Museum.
The U.S.S. Iowa is a national treasure and has a rich history. During World War II, she carried President Franklin D. Roosevelt to a crucial 1943 meeting in Tehran with Prime Minister Winston Churchill of Britain and Josef Stalin, leader of the Soviet Union. It is now a museum and can be visited by the public.
An Iowan native, Brig. Gen. Elwell was happy to conducted this Dining Out on the namesake of his home state and for the first time a U.S. Army Reserve unit conducted this important ceremony on a U.S. naval vessel.
“I remember when I was young, a model of this vessel was at the state capital and now that we can have this ceremony on the deck of this great vessel this is a great night,” said Elwell. “We come here to remember the fallen and we come here to celebrate our families, but more than anything we come here to celebrate the great nation of the United States of America that we will defend.”
At night, the Iowa was brightly lit and under a clear plastic canopy Soldiers enjoyed a delicious meal and were entertained by the Military Intelligence Corps Army jazz band.
The Military Intelligence Corps Band carries on the traditions started by the musicians who accompanied Gen. George Washington's troops into battle more than 200 years-ago. This band can break down into small groups, which can perform all genres of music appropriate to different venues throughout the country and is based at Fort Huachuca, Arizona.
“The Dining Out is important to the organizational health as it provides an opportunity for our service members and the friends and families of our service members to participate in the traditions and comradery of the Army,” said Palzer. “The best part of any dining out is the opportunities it provides for military members to interact with guests, such as family members, veterans, and special guests. It provides the right atmosphere to thank those who make our service possible.”
Several down trace units were recognized for excellence, including best brigade, battalion and company. Each recipient was presented with a plaque and awards.
The 650th Regional Support Group was recognized as the best overall brigade. The Commander of the 650th RSG is Col. Toni Glover and the command sergeant major is Command Sgt. Maj. Daren Daniels.
The 314th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion was recognized as the best overall battalion. The commander of the 314th CSSB is Maj. Leopold Karanikolas and the command sergeant major is Command Sgt. Maj. Mario Canizales.
The award for the 311th ESC Log Warrior Readiness Excellence Award Company Level was presented to the 211th Transportation Company. Accepting the award was Lt. Col. (P) Fredricco McCurry and Command Sgt. Maj. Ricky Simms.
The award for the 311th ESC Log Warrior Readiness Excellence Award Detachment Level was presented to the 655th Quartermaster Detachment. Accepting the award was Lt. Col. Shawn Shultz and Sgt. 1st Class Letha Brailsford.
Command Sgt. Maj. Renita Duncan, former 311th ESC Equal Opportunity Advisor, was awarded the Merlin G. Pope Jr. Award for being the Army Equal Opportunity Advisor NCO of the Year, training Soldiers and leaders in the area of diversity and inclusion.
“I’m honored that doing what I love to do, which is serving our Soldiers in the area of Equal Opportunity provided for this award,” said Duncan. “This is truly a commander's program and when Brig. Gen. Elwell trusted me to do my job, I was able to do it well. Equal Opportunity affects every area of Army readiness and to be a positive influence in that readiness for the 311th ESC was an honor and a privilege.”
The Merlin G. Pope, Jr., Army Equal Opportunity Advisor NCO of the Year Award was created in 2002 and recognizes a Non-Commissioned Officer who has displayed outstanding leadership qualities, which directly impact the readiness of the Army Reserves.
The 311th ESC’s primary mission is to command the sustainment brigades that provide combat support and combat service support in the areas of supply, maintenance, transportation, field services and the functional brigades or battalions.
The command currently has 62 assigned units over three western states, including California, Nevada and Arizona. The command has continued to gain strength and now has more than 6,500 assigned. The command is designed to deploy into a theater of operations, assume command of the logistical units in place and provide oversight and material management.
| Date Taken: | 03.04.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 03.20.2017 16:47 |
| Story ID: | 227442 |
| Location: | SAN PEDRO, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: | 287 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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