Photo By Lt. Col. Brandon Mace | Soldiers with the U.S. Army Reserve 90th Sustainment Brigade, headquartered in Little...... read more read more
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NEW ORLEANS - Soldiers from the U.S. Army Reserve 90th Sustainment Brigade, headquartered in Little Rock, Arkansas, participated in the 90th Infantry Division Association’s 101st Reunion this weekend, here.
The 90th Sustainment Brigade is the only remaining unit in the U.S. Army that still carries the 90th Infantry Division colors and wears the famous ‘Tough 'Ombres’ T-O patch. For more about the 90th ID and their lineage visit http://www.90thdivisionassoc.org/History/.
The Soldiers provided a color guard at all of the events and U.S. Army Reserve Col. Daniel Hershkowitz, the current commander of the 90th Sustainment Brigade, was the guest speaker at the Friday night banquet where he shared experiences from the unit’s recent trip to Normandy, France, for the 75th D-Day Anniversary.
“We were fortunate enough to take eighteen ‘Tough 'Ombres’ Soldiers,” said Hershkowitz. “Along this 10-day journey around Normandy, these young Soldiers had the opportunity to interact with Soldiers from other countries, local townspeople and most importantly WWII veterans.”
Five ‘Tough 'Ombres’ that served during WWII were present for the reunion. Hershkowitz was honored to be in the same room with them, and talked about the sacrifice and service of the ‘Greatest Generation’.
“We can never forget what these men did for our country and the continent of Europe,” said Hershkowitz. “It was them, and thousands more like them, who answered the call to defend freedom without thinking twice about it. They are the greatest generation and we must continue to keep their stories and legacy alive.”
Hershkowitz closed his comments by assuring the 90th veterans and families that the ‘Tough 'Ombres’ are in good hands. He talked about some of the current and future missions the unit’s Soldiers are involved in around the world.
“The 90th is alive and well at 101 years old,” said Hershkowitz as he addressed the guests. “The ‘Tough 'Ombres’ of today in the 90th Sustainment Brigade continue to carry on the storied lineage of our past and honor the T and O patch proudly.”
Retired Army Reserve Col. Olin Findley Brewster, a U.S. Army Reserve Ambassador for the state of Texas, was in attendance. He previously served with the 90th as their Chief of Staff and Command Executive Officer and is very involved with the association.
“Associations like the 90th Infantry Division Association represent the Army’s ideals,” said Brewster. “When we wear that patch and come together like this, we assume those ideals, it’s important.”
Even more important, Brewster believes these kind of gatherings provide an opportunity for Soldiers to get together with their brothers and sisters in arms and work through experiences they don’t normally get to talk about.
“Sometimes as Soldiers we can’t talk about what we did, and we might be hesitant to talk about it with friends and family because of the questions or maybe they won’t understand,” said Brewster, “but here at these reunions we can talk about those things and get to a better life, a happier life. That’s the real value.”
Brewster also said it allows the families, especially of those who have passed on, to get better understanding of what their loved ones did. One of those family members was 17-year-old Alex Wright whose great-grandfather, Col. Arthur Meier, served in the 90th ID in WWII. While his great-grandfather has passed away, he said these gatherings help him feel a connection.
“I want to be a part of remembering the legacy, I want a real connection” said Wright. “It resonates because when I’m older the Soldiers of previous wars will be gone, but I will still be here to share their stories.”
Wright has also been to Normandy and said it really put WWII in perspective. He wishes everyone could visit the historic WWII sites and experience it first-hand.
“Normandy was amazing, to be there and breathe that air,” said Wright. “People my age see war in video games or in movies, but it is different to actually be there and see where it happened.”
He said not only was it a way for him to honor the past, but it made him think about the future world he will help create as an adult.
“I’m still young, but if we don’t learn from what happened in WWII, I might have to be a Soldier that has to do something like D-Day,” said Wright. “We are building a future and my generation should be more aware so we can maintain peace.”
Next year the 90th Infantry Division plans to hold their 102nd reunion in San Antonio, Texas.
The 90th Sustainment Brigade is part of the 4th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary). The command is made up of Soldiers, civilians and their families in units headquartered throughout Texas, New Mexico, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Louisiana. As part of America’s Army Reserve, these units are trained, combat-ready and equipped to provide military and logistical support in any corner of the globe.
| Date Taken: | 07.27.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 07.29.2019 14:19 |
| Story ID: | 333496 |
| Location: | NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA, US |
| Web Views: | 681 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, ‘Tough 'Ombres’ carry more than the colors, by LTC Brandon Mace, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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