Courtesy Photo | Sgt. Erica Foster, quartermaster, 589th Brigade Support Batallion, Fires Brigade, 4th...... read more read more
By Sgt. 1st Class Jerry Malec
Fires Bde. PAO, 4th Inf. Div.
CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq - It's not every day a Soldier gets to meet one of the Military's top ranking officials. Eight soldiers from the Fires Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, joined up with other Ironhorse troops to meet Gen. Richard Cody, Army's Vice Chief of Staff, face to face at Camp Liberty, Iraq, Monday.
Approximately one-half were honored when they were presented the Combat Action Badge while others were readministered the oath of enlistment by Cody.
"It was nice to have the Vice Chief of Staff present me with my award," said Maj. Kevin Lewis, brigade operations officer, Fires Bde., 4th Inf. Div., recipient of the Combat Action Badge.
"It makes me proud to be on such a great team, and I'm just thankful that we make it back through the gate every day we go out," continued Lewis, whose convoy was hit by a roadside bomb earlier this year.
"It's really cool getting reenlisted by a four-star general, because this is the kind of opportunity that doesn't come around often in the military," added Sgt. Erica Foster, quartermaster, 589th Brigade Support Battalion, Fires Bde., 4th Inf. Div., now beginning her second reenlistment.
She said she plans on staying in and traveling to new places, as well as gaining more rank and retiring eventually. "I think this is something great I can offer my family," beamed the San Antonio native.
"This is definitely a dream come true," said Sgt. Raymond Siller, a member of the Fires Brigade's personal security detachment.
He said he was honored to reenlist for more time in the Army and having the Vice Chief of Staff of the Army performing the honors made it even more special, adding that the day's event motivated him even more to make the military a career.
"This was an awesome opportunity for the Soldiers of the Fires Bde.," said Sgt. 1st Class Mark Kirkland, brigade reenlistment noncommissioned officer-in-charge.
"The opportunity was a once in a lifetime chance to get reenlisted by a four-star general, and in particular, the Vice Chief of Staff of the Army," said Kirkland who prepped his seven Fires Bde. reenlistees for the special occassion.
"It always makes me proud to see Soldiers reenlist here because I know they are not only doing it for the money, but for their commitment to the Army itself," said Kirkland, of the reenlistees, some of who received bonuses of more than $20 thousand.
"When I ask why Soldiers are reenlisting, many have told me that they like the unit they are in and that they are being well led," said Cody shortly after administering the oath.
"Whether I'm in Afghanistan, or in Iraq doing reenlistments, the story is always the same," continued Cody. "These Soldiers standing before you are brave, courageous, and they have a sense of purpose " and we ought to be thankful that these young men and women have chosen to reenlist and continue their service in Iraq," said Cody.
| Date Taken: | 02.21.2006 |
| Date Posted: | 02.21.2006 15:26 |
| Story ID: | 5447 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 126 |
| Downloads: | 85 |
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