Photo By Staff Sgt. Sebastian Rothwyn | Retired New York Army National Guard Col. Reginald “Reggie” Sanders, former...... read more read more
HARLEM, New York – The 369th Sustainment Brigade, known for its storied history as the Harlem Hellfighters, honored four modern commanders in a Sept. 7 portrait unveiling ceremony at the Harlem Regiment Armory.
Portraits of Colonels Reginald Sanders, David Martinez, Steven Bousquet and Seth Morgulus, were unveiled during the event.
The Master of Ceremonies for the unveiling, Maj. Michael Costello, a supervisory logistics management specialist with the 369th SB, said that the unit’s modern brigade commanders have left an indelible mark on the organization just as their predecessors did in decades past.
“We honor Reginald Sanders, David Martinez, Steven Bousquet and Seth Morgulus—our four most recent commanders—in this special way,” Costello said. “Their legacies now join the likes of William Hayward, who led the Harlem Hellfighters during World War I, Chauncey Hooper, who commanded the Hellfighters in the Pacific Theatre during World War II, and Stephanie Dawson, the first female officer in the New Yoirk National Guard to command a brigade-level unit," he added.
The history of the 369th Sustainment Brigade began in 1916 with the formation of the 15th Infantry Regiment of the New York National Guard.
The otherwise all-black unit, initially composed of Harlem residents, became renowned worldwide for its bravery during World War I; further, they fought in a segregated Army, all the while facing racial discrimination from white Soldiers and American civilians alike.
Indeed, their fierce reputation in battle earned them the nickname "The Harlem Hellfighters," a name given by their German adversaries due to the unit's relentless fighting spirit and valor.
After World War I, the regiment underwent several reorganizations and re-designations. In the 1940s, it transitioned into an antiaircraft artillery unit, and later, a transportation unit.
By 2006, the unit was restructured as the 369th SB, responsible for providing logistical support such as fuel, ammunition and medical supplies. Today, the brigade continues to uphold its storied legacy, as demonstrated by the Sept. 7 unveiling ceremony of four portraits honoring its modern brigade commanders, held at the Harlem Regiment Armory in New York.
The guest speaker for the event, Maj. Gen. Michel Natali, assistant adjutant general, Army,, said that remembrance of the past—from U.S. Army Soldiers fighting for their country in World War I, despite facing discrimination, to the successes of recent commanders—makes it clear how far the U.S. Army has come.
The event highlighted the unit's legacy, with retired Col. Reginald "Reggie" Sanders reflecting on the importance of preserving the brigade's history and leadership.
Of the four honored 369th SB commanders, Sanders alone attended the unveiling.
Sanders has been a passionate advocate for preserving the true history and identity of the Harlem Hellfighters. As the only black officer honored, Sanders in the past has supported Max Brooks' book, The Harlem Hellfighters, which attempts to ensure that the legacy of the storied unit remains alive and is accurately told.
With the legacy of the Harlem Hellfighters at the forefront, the portraits of Sanders and his fellow commanders were revealed one by one, each capturing the distinctive character of the leaders.
Morgulas' portrait, for example, stood out with his signature sunglasses, a detail that reflects his leadership presence. Each portrait reveals dimensions of the unique personality each leader brought to the brigade.
Sanders spoke about how seeing himself preserved in artistic form through the portrait was as incredible as the experience of leading the Soldiers who contributed to the success of his command.
In fact, when Sanders spoke about leadership and advice to brigade commanders, he stressed the importance of listening to subordinate officers and non-commissioned officers.
Natali noted that his time as colonel helped him understand the importance of legacy—not just for oneself but for the Soldiers, the unit and the future generations who will carry it forward.
“My time as a colonel helped me realize the importance of bettering our legacy and knowing that it's necessary to make that happen,” Natali said.
Each portrait now rests on the walls of the Harlem Regiment Armory, serving as a lasting tribute to the leadership and contributions of these commanders.
Col. Patrick Clare, the current 369th SB commander, carries on the legacy of his predecessors, by offering guidance that will ultimately shape the unit’s history like Sanders, Martinez, Bousquet and Morgulas before him and Hayward, Hooper, and Dawson before them.
| Date Taken: | 09.08.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 10.31.2024 22:46 |
| Story ID: | 480358 |
| Location: | NEW YORK, NEW YORK, US |
| Web Views: | 78 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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