Only American Soldiers
Operation Iraqi Freedom / New Dawn
20 December 2011 » By U.S. Army Chief of Staff
They [Soldiers] will cross the border out of Iraq with their heads held
high. One of the most extraordinary chapters in the history of the
American military will come to an end. Iraq's future will be in the hands
of its people. America's war in Iraq will be over.
—President Obama, 14 December 2011
The magnitude of what this Nation and our Soldiers have accomplished in
Iraq is unprecedented. We have never been more proud of our Army – our
Soldiers, Civilians and our Families. You freed over twenty-five million
people from tyranny and given hope when hope was forsaken. Our Army
provided new opportunity for the people of Iraq. No other Army in the
world could have accomplished what you have done - Only American Soldiers.
Throughout Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn, our Soldiers
embodied physical and mental toughness and courage under fire. Over the
past eight years, the quality of our Soldiers has stood in stark
contrast to the desert sands. Just as the WWII generation defeated
tyranny across the globe, a new generation - galvanized by the attacks
of September 11th - bravely defeated tyranny once again. Even during the
darkest days in Iraq, our Soldiers never wavered in the face of growing
doubt. They continued to risk life and limb for a cause larger than
themselves. For their heroic action, they received nearly 9,000 awards
for valor including two Medals of Honor, 16 Distinguished Services
Crosses, and 408 Silver Stars.
We remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, our Wounded
Warriors, our Gold Star Families, and all of our loved ones who have
been touched by the horror of war. Their sacrifices have given meaning
to our values and ideals. For that, we thank them. A grateful Nation
will always remember, respect, and appreciate these heroes as the Next
Greatest Generation.
We are extremely proud of all of our Soldiers, Civilians, and Families.
Our Army has once again proved that it is America's Force of Decisive
Action. Thank you for a job well done. Army Strong!
//Original Signed//
Raymond F. Chandler III
Sergeant Major of the Army
//Original Signed//
Raymond T. Odierno
General, United States Army Chief of Staff
//Original Signed//
John M. McHugh
Secretary of the Army
Department of Defense Agency Recognizes
Northern Maine Community College
Elite Seven Seals Award
20 December 2011 » By Jason Parent - (207) 768-2808
Gregory Small, executive director, Maine Committee of the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (left), speaks about NMCC’s support of the military and the reasons the College was selected to receive the elite Seven Seals Award during a surprise presentation during the annual NMCC Employee Holiday gathering on December 20. The award was presented to NMCC President Timothy Crowley (center) by Brigadier General Brent Boyles (right), who serves as assistant adjutant general – Army, Maine National Guard.
[photo courtesy of NMCC]
Aroostook County - The efforts of Northern Maine Community College and its employees to support the U.S. military, specifically the efforts of national guardsmen and women, were recognized today in a surprise ceremony for employees attending the annual campus holiday gathering.
The elite Seven Seals Award is the only Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) award that bridges both the employer and the ESGR volunteer recognition awards program. The award was presented by ESGR and Maine Army National Guard officials to NMCC President Timothy Crowley before the College's 100 employees and several family members and friends of the College who gathered for the annual Holiday luncheon.
"We work closely with employers across the nation so men and women have good, gainful employment when they come back from training and deployment," said Gregory Small, executive director, Maine committee of ESGR. "NMCC is an excellent example of the best of the best in this regard."
The ESGR, which selects Seven Seals Award recipients, is a branch of the Department of Defense that was originally created to promote cooperation between Reserve and National Guard military members and civilian employers. The Seven Seals Award is the highest award given by the ESGR, and was created to publically recognize American employers who provide outstanding patriotic support and cooperation to employees and families of those that have been called to serve in the armed forces.
Presenting the award to Crowley, along with Small, was Brigadier General Brent Boyles, who serves as assistant adjutant general – Army, Maine National Guard. Boyles, who lives and works in central Aroostook County, spoke about NMCC's strong reputation in the region of being supportive of both the military and local community.
"This college has done fantastic things for us, not just for employees, but for students as well," said Boyles. "Men and women could not volunteer to support their country if employers like NMCC didn't support them. We could not have been able to be at war for a decade with part-time military if it were not for employers like NMCC."
The annual NMCC employee Holiday luncheon was selected as the venue to present the honor because most of the College's faculty and staff were gathered together. After accepting the award, President Crowley asked all Veterans in the room to stand and receive the appreciation of those gathered – a tradition he extends at each NMCC Commencement ceremony.
The College was nominated for the award by one of its own – 37-year veteran faculty member Dave Guerrette, a member of the Maine Army National Guard who most recently served in Iraq. In his citation for why the campus was deserving of the honor, Guerrette cited several factors, including the support all military personnel are extended to fulfill their travel and weekend duties, the assistance provided to deployed employees and students to complete course work and academic programs, and the general support the campus demonstrates on a regular basis for those serving their country.
"Northern Maine Community College, President Tim Crowley and the faculty and staff of this campus truly deserve to be recognized for all they have done for soldiers. The support I received during my deployment, followed by the months of recuperating upon my return, as well as seeing first hand for years the College's assurance that Citizen Soldiers needs were met, led me to make this nomination," said Guerrette.
Guerrette himself was recognized for his service by Small, who spoke about the master sergeant's exemplary work for the Maine Guard, as well as overseas when he was deployed in Iraq, particularly in the area of safety training.
"Dave's work would not have been possible without the support of the people in this room," Small told employees of the College.
In addition to remarks by ESGR and Maine National Guard officials, letters of congratulations from U.S. Senators Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins and Congressman Michael Michaud were read by area representatives and presented to Crowley. The award and letters, along with photographs of current NMCC employees who have served in the military, are on display in the lobby of the Christie Building through the end of January.
The event award was presented at was appropriately themed a 1940's era USO show as part of the College's 50th Anniversary celebration to pay tribute to the Presque Isle Army Air Base, which was taken over by the U.S. Army 70 years ago, and quickly became a vital air transport installation during World War II. Red, white and blue banners decorated the room and historic photos of the Presque Isle Army Air Base courtesy of the Presque Isle Historical Society were displayed on a screen and throughout the room, along with artifacts from the heyday of the air base facility.
ODC Montenegro Senior Enlisted Leader Visit
16 December 2011 » By Montenegrin Ministry of Defense
ODC Chief Lieutenant Commander Jeremy Boback, Fleet Master Chief Petty Officer Roy Maddocks, and Command Sergeant Major Terrence Harris with visit Montenegro's Senior Enlisted Leader Command Sergeant Major Vladan Kojic and senior Non-Commissioned Officers in the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
[photo courtesy of the Montenegrin Ministry of Defense]
Chief Petty Officer Roy Maddocks, U.S. European Command's Senior Enlisted Leader, and Command Sergeant Major Terrence Harris, Senior Enlisted Leader of the Maine National Guard, discuss Non-Commissioned Officer corps development with Colonel Zoran Lazarevic, Chief of Staff of the Montenegrin General Staff. [photo courtesy of the Montenegrin Ministry of Defense]
The Office of Defense Cooperation at U.S. Embassy Montenegro hosted a visit from Fleet Master Chief Petty Officer (FLTCM) Roy Maddocks, U.S. European Command's Senior Enlisted Leader, and Command Sergeant Major (CSM) Terrence Harris, Senior Enlisted Leader of the Maine National Guard, during December 12-15. FLTCM Maddocks and CSM Harris attended the opening ceremony for the Armed Forces' Basic Non-Commissioned Officer Course, which will develop 21 soldiers into NCOs. The visit included meetings with the Montenegrin Armed Forces' Chief of Staff, Command Sergeant Major, and senior Non-Commissioned Officers (NCO).
During their visit to the General Staff, Danilovgrad Training Center, Navy Base in Bar, and Air Base in Golubovci, FLTCM Maddocks and CSM Harris viewed the progress that the Montenegrin Armed Forces has made in developing its Non-Commissioned Officer corps.
National Guard Celebrates 375th Birthday
Come Visit the Maine Military Museum on Dece 13, 2011
08 December 2011 » By Maine Army National Guard
Come visit the Military Museum from 1400-1600 on Dec 13 2011 as we celebrate the 375th Birthday of the National Guard, the oldest security force in the nation.
Come visit the Military Museum from 1400-1600 on Dec 13 2011 as we celebrate the 375th Birthday of the National Guard, the oldest security force in the nation.
We will have cake & punch, a 50/50 and some door prizes. Drawing will be at 1530.
The military organization we know today as the National Guard came into existence with a direct declaration on December 13, 1636. On this date, the Massachusetts General Court in Salem, for the first time in the history of the North American continent, established that all able-bodied men between the ages of 16 and 60 were required to join the militia. The North, South, and East Regiments were established with this order. The decree excluded ministers and judges. Simply stated, citizen-soldiers who mustered for military training could be and would be called upon to fight when needed.
Always Ready, Always There
- Direct descendent of the militias of the 13 English colonies; oldest component of the U.S. military, with units dating back to 1636.
- According to U.S. Constitution, both a state and Federal force, under control of the governor unless called to active service by the President.
- Has fought in every American war, from the 1600s to present combat in Afghanistan and Iraq. At one point in 2005, Army National Guard brigades made up more than 50% of U.S. Army combat brigades in Iraq, the Army Guard’s largest combat role since WWII.
- In its state role, a key player in homeland defense and disaster relief; within 2 weeks of Hurricane Katrina’s landfall, more than 42,000 Army National Guard troops from across the country were deployed to the Gulf Coast for relief operations
