Public Health

LANDSTUHL, Germany – Five Public Health Command Europe soldiers received an associate’s or bachelor’s degree during a graduation ceremony Oct. 18 at Public Health Command Europe Headquarters in Landstuhl, Germany.

Class President Sgt. Alysia Long-Moses gave the opening remarks and noted that obtaining a degree while being stationed overseas was not an easy task.

“As you all know, orders to an OCONUS assignment can be difficult. You are placed in a foreign country relying on everything and everyone, new to the very things you’ve ever known. To add more complication to the matter, you are trying to graduate with a degree online with no physical help from professors or advisors. For most of us, there is no traditional ceremony,” said Long-Moses.

To recognize the soldiers and their accomplishments, Public Health Command Europe held its first graduation ceremony.

“Here’s where we make a change. It is people and days like this that individuates the monotony,” added Long-Moses. “Earning a degree is no small feat, and today we celebrate the hard work and dedication of these bright soldiers outside of uniform.”

The recognized soldiers graduated from five different academic institutions, including an academic institutions on post — the University of Maryland Global Campus and four off-post colleges.

Public Health Command Europe commander Col. Kenneth Spicer was invited as a guest speaker and expressed how proud he was of the soldiers.

“I commend the dedication you’ve showcased and the sacrifices you have made to complete your programs of study. Furthering your education makes you a more well-rounded leader and increases your critical thinking, communication, and comprehension skills,” said Spicer.

Spicer congratulated the recipients for their accomplishments and said that “The Army’s – and really – any winning team’s biggest strength is our people.”

He continued to state “We win because of men and women of character who stand for our nation’s values and are committed to the national defense and we will keep winning because of the great soldiers and civilians graduating from institutions of higher learning.”

Graduating Class of 2022

Sgt. Alysia Long-Moses – Associate’s in Health Science from American Military University

Sgt. Markell Mckee – Associate’s in Small Group Management from Purdue

Sgt. Trent Tardy – Associate’s in Health Science from University of Texas

Staff Sgt. Jordan Williams – Associate’s in Liberal Arts from University of Maryland

Sgt. 1st Class Chasidy Tenison – Bachelor’s in Health Science from Southern New Hampshire

INDIANAPOLIS — Approximately 200 Indiana National Guard soldiers with the 38th Infantry Division’s 1st Squadron, 152nd Cavalry Regiment, headquartered in New Albany, said goodbye to family, friends and peers during a ceremony at Camp Atterbury, Monday.

The squadron’s troops will deploy to the Middle East, the Sinai Peninsula, for the Multinational Force and Observers international peacekeeping mission that supervises the implementation of the security provisions of the Egyptian-Israeli Treaty of Peace.

The citizen-soldiers, nicknamed Ghostriders, will be led by Lt. Col. David J. Richards of Fishers, and his senior enlisted leader, Command Sgt. Maj. Larry Kuhn, of Cambridge City.

Richards thanked the soldiers’ families, friends and employers for their support of his troops as they prepared for their scheduled 11-month mobilization.

“I appreciate your support, as do the soldiers seated in front of us, ” said Richards during his ceremony speech. “Ghostriders, don’t take that support lightly. Let’s make sure we let our support network know that we appreciate them as much as they appreciate you. You have a nation, you have a state behind you right now.”

In all, approximately 500 family members, friends and peers filled a Camp Atterbury building to near capacity for the ceremony.

The division’s commanding general, Maj. Gen. Timothy Thombleson, served as the guest speaker for the ceremony. He highlighted the soldiers’ selfless service, one of the Army’s core values, and the families who raised them to have those values.

“We all share a bit of that selfless service,” said Thombleson. “Let’s be grateful that we’re among people who stepped up to serve our nation, and I’m happy and honored to be among those who serve for our nation.”

Though the soldiers have prepared for more than a year, they have one more training exercise at Fort Bliss, Texas, prior to heading overseas for their peacekeeping mission. While deployed overseas, the Hoosier Guardsmen will work alongside service members from 12 other countries: Australia, Canada, Columbia, Czech Republic, Fiji, France, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, United Kingdom and Uruguay.

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“That’s the tough part about going first,” said Army Col. Eric Wieland, commander of the Minnesota National Guard’s 34th Division Artillery Brigade, known as DIVARTY, as he took the podium October 13, 2022, in the auditorium of the General Vessey Readiness Center in Arden Hills, Minnesota – home of the 34th Red Bull Infantry Division.

“There’s a lot of challenge that comes with going first, but along with it, a lot of opportunity.”

Wieland was referring to the 34th DIVARTY being the first of several division artillery brigades that the National Guard will stand up over the next few years as they restructure the operational and training alignment of its eight Army divisions. That means these new division headquarters elements will have to develop standards and operational guidance for units that are not organic to their organization. Units from nearly a dozen different states – some as far away as North Carolina – are aligned with the Red Bulls for training and operations.

In an effort to both rise to challenges and engage with opportunity, the 34th DIVARTY team planned two events which they held simultaneously at the Arden Hills Army Training Site. One event was a symposium, with the intent to provide a forum for professional development, sharing best practices, and providing stewardship across the ‘fires’ enterprise. This combines specialties such as field artillery with non-lethal specialties like intelligence gathering.

The guest list for the symposium reached far and wide across the U.S. Army. It was not limited to field artillery, nor to the National Guard.

“As an [active-duty Army] commander, I don’t put a lot of thought into [the National Guard and Reserve],” said Army Col. Thurman McKenzie, commander of the 1st Armored Division’s Artillery Brigade. “When the 36th DIVARTY commander came out to talk to me about the fact that they are standing up the 36th DIVARTY in Texas, it started to get the wheels turning in my head. ‘Hey, maybe I’ve been looking a little bit too narrowly and maybe I need to think a little bit broader than just my formation.’”

Focusing on other formations was at the forefront of Sgt. 1st Class Adam Walton’s mind when he began planning his parallel event for master gunners of downtrace units that are operationally aligned to the 34th Red Bull Infantry Division.

“Last year at the division warfighter, this was one of our ideas,” explained Walton. “Let’s put together a red book and get that going as one of our first projects to add value to the force and to downtrace battalions.”

The master gunner event was an opportunity to share training plans that the 34th DIVARTY had developed over the past year and included their ‘red book,’ a document which takes doctrine and standardizes it for the 34th Infantry Division’s field artillery. The event was also an opportunity for subordinate units to share their best practices and identify issues they faced while facilitating training at their home stations.

“I see it more as a working group. That’s kind of the way I’d like to project it going forward,” said Walton. “What are the problems in Utah; what are the problems in North Carolina, in Iowa, in Idaho, and Minnesota? And how do we as a division artillery help the [subordinate] aligned battalions facilitate their training and work through some of those issues?”

The symposium was highlighted by an appearance from the leadership team of the 56th Artillery Command, a major subordinate unit of U.S. Army Europe and Africa. Army Maj. Gen. Stephen Maranian and Army Command Sgt. Maj. Darrell Walls fielded questions from guests and offered their insights on subjects ranging from how to operate with NATO partners to who tears down the tents in a field environment. The Army’s recent change of operational alignments nested the 34th Red Bull Infantry Division with V Corps and U.S. Army Europe and Africa.

“We’re going to keep doing this going forward, making it bigger and better,” said Walton. “In our red book we say that we’re trying to set ourselves apart, and I think this event was part of creating the Red Bull standard.”

U.S. Air Force Col. Keith A. Chikasawa relinquished command of the 163rd to Col. Clark J. Bramante during a change of command ceremony at March Air Reserve Base, California, Oct. 15, 2022.

Col. Chikasawa reflected on his time serving with the wing. In extending his gratitude, he remarked, “We’ve come so far through the COVID-19 pandemic: Civil Support, Remote Split Operations, the Formal Training Unit mission, as well as deployments and joint task force missions along with the State Guard. It was truly a team effort over the last couple of years.”

He challenged us to remember two things, “Courage stems from the Latin word ‘cor’ – heart. This wing has incredible heart and it has shown the courage to think outside the box and lead. I don’t need easy, I just need possible. We can do this. We have the talent, we have the Airmen, and we have the leadership to get anything across the finish line,” he said.

Col. Bramante then addressed the wing, bringing up two overarching concepts: gratitude and service. He expressed sincere gratitude to his parents, his wife and children, civic leaders, and “for the people at the wing who have come before us.” “This wing has a history and a tradition of excellence. That legacy they’ve left behind was hard earned. We have been set up for success. Like Colonel Chickasaws said, we have great momentum moving forward.”

The service we provide, as members of our wing, he said, contributes to dual missions: to our nation and to our state. “That’s truly a unique and amazing thing about the Guard, is that we serve at the state and federal level. It’s a big thing to be able to serve our state, and a great privilege and a very noble endeavor.”

Looking in to the future, Col. Bramante remarked, “What I know moving forward is that this wing is up to any challenge and that we will figure it out,” Col Bramante said. “So I give you permission to run and get after it. Whatever you’re AFSC is, whatever your age is, whatever your background is. Uh it’s going take all of us. It’s going to take people coming from every different viewpoint in society to solve these problems and we’re better when we listen to everybody. So diversity in our ranks in our opinions in how we move forward could not be more important because it’s going to make us stronger and each and every one of you has a voice.”

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. – The U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command and Redstone Arsenal’s Survivor Outreach Services joined forces again to host a special event for the community’s Gold Star Families for the first time since 2019.

Nearly 100 volunteers showed up at Redstone Arsenal’s Morale, Welfare and Recreation activity field to set up and serve at the SOS Fall Festival on Oct. 15 for the more than 60 surviving family members who attended.

“Although I am still new in this role and learning every day, it is an honor to support local families and survivors at events like the fall festival,” said Sherry Major, Redstone Arsenal’s SOS program coordinator. “The partnership between SOS and SMDC is a long standing one with traditions of providing events from Easter picnics to a ‘50s bash. It is my goal that we continue in the traditions and the partnership.”

Major, who became the SOS program coordinator in 2021, supports almost 300 surviving family members from 11 counties in the Tennessee Valley.

“Their loved ones all died on active duty serving our county,” Major said. “The folks who attended today are moms, dads, sisters, cousins, and friends. Events like this remind them they matter, and that the U.S. Army is still here for them.”

The fall festival included lunch, pumpkin painting, face painting, cookie decoration, a cake walk, volleyball, cornhole, ladder toss, U.S. Army Recruiting Command’s basketball toss, and Trunk or Treat provided by the Rocket City Mustang Club and the North Alabama Region of the Antique Car Club of America.

“We do a lot of social functions and charity functions in both organizations. It’s good fellowship. It’s good community support,” said Chuck Nickey, a member of the Mustang club and vice president of the antique car club who served in the military for 10 years. “I feel like supporting Soldiers and families is an important thing, and most of the guys that are here are for that reason. A lot of us are prior service.”

Rozeka Gates, USASMDC G-8 administrative assistant, became the command’s SOS program coordinator in April.

“This year’s SMDC’s SOS Fall Festival was my very first time attending an SOS event, and it was my first SOS event as the program coordinator,” Gates said. “I did not know what to expect, since it was the first major SOS event since COVID. The volunteers helped make it an amazing experience for the survivors.”

Gates said it was an honor to be the coordinator and to facilitate an event like this for surviving family members.

“All of the survivors left with goodie bags and smiles on their faces,” Gates said. “This event could not have been as successful as it was without Sherry Major being with me every step of the way. I am ready to begin working on the next SOS project! We will continue to keep the mission going for our survivors. I’m praying each SOS event will show the survivors we appreciate them and will always support them.”

Major said she enjoyed working alongside Gates and all of USASMDC’s volunteers.

“I could not pull off these large-scale events without the manpower and partnership of wonderful USASMDC volunteers,” Major said. “I appreciate all they do to support our families and make them feel special. The SOS position is what it is today because of the support the program received from USASMDC.”

Major said the SOS program’s mission is to provides long-term support to surviving families of fallen Soldiers. The goal is to reassure survivors that they remain valued members of the Army Family.

“We know there are no words or actions that can ever fully solace you in your loss, for there is no greater calling than to serve one’s nation with honor and dignity,” Major said. “We just hope survivors will feel they are supported and hope events like these will remind them. For me, there is no greater duty than to support the families of those who have died in service to our nation.”

Major said the command’s presence reassures survivors they are remembered and that their loved one’s service and sacrifice is not taken for granted. Lt. Gen. Daniel Karbler, USASMDC commanding general, echoed that message.

“For the families, this is just one more manifestation for how we make sure we always remember your sacrifice,” Karbler said. “You are always going to be part of the Army Family. I want to make sure that we recognize you, we thank you, and we honor your sacrifices.”

USS Higgins Conducts Port Visit in Thailand

Story by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Donavan K. Patubo

Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Higgins (DDG 76) concluded a port visit in Sattahip, Thailand, Oct. 11.

The port visit demonstrated the U.S. commitment to regional partnerships, and helped foster growing relationships, as well as offered Sailors the opportunity to relax and enjoy Thailand’s culture, cuisine and exotic attractions.

“Everyone on Higgins was excited about visiting Thailand and our stop in Sattahip exceeded all expectations,” said Cmdr. Joseph McGettigan, commanding officer of USS Higgins. “The Royal Thai Fleet Commander was a gracious host and took fantastic care of Higgins and our Canadian and Australian counterparts. It was an honor to spend time with representatives from the Thai Royal Fleet and deepen our relationship with one of our oldest allies in the region. The crew was also able to enjoy some rest for a few days and explore the amazing food and culture of Thailand.”

While in port, crew members had the opportunity to participate in tours sponsored by Higgins’ Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) department, including a tiger park, elephant riding and snorkeling.

“We wanted to make sure the crew had several options to choose from so they would have the opportunity to see as much of Thailand as possible for the short time we were there,” said Higgins’ MWR President Navy Counselor 1st Class Daniela Kobayashi. “We all have a busy workload while we’re out at sea which makes it difficult to plan how we’re going to spend our time while in port. Having the ability to just sign up for a pre-planned tour or trip made it easy for Sailors to do and see all the exciting things Thailand has to offer. We received great feedback from everyone who participated.”

The religious program aboard Higgins, led by Higgins’ chaplain Lt. Matthew Moynihan, arranged three community relations (COMREL) events for sailors to participate in during the port visit.

Sailors were able to spend time laughing and playing with children from The Drop-In Center, one of the projects of the Human Help Foundation in Pattaya which hosts about 85 children a day from neighboring nations whose parents are day laborers in Thailand; the Child Protection and Development Center, a local orphanage dedicated to the caring of displaced children, orphans and rescued trafficked children; and the Father Ray Foundation, an organization committed to nurturing, protecting and safeguarding children and young people, and cares for and educates 850 underprivileged children and students with disabilities.

“COMRELs provide an opportunity for our Sailors to care for and serve the people of our host nation as well as the chance to be introduced to this beautiful country and see it and her people through new eyes,” said Command Chaplain Lt. Matthew Moynihan. “Events like these allow us to put a face to those we stand to protect. This weekend, those faces were the wonderful children we were supporting. We played outdoor games and led them in a ‘Junior Sailor’ qualifying event. At the end we presented each child a certificate granting them the honorary rank of Junior Sailor. Our crew now leave here with a greater awareness for those their labors impact and a new appreciation of the people and nation of Thailand.”

Higgins is assigned to Commander, Task Force 71/Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15, the Navy’s largest forward-deployed DESRON and the U.S. 7th fleet’s principal surface force.

U.S. 7th Fleet is the largest forward-deployed fleet in the world, and with the help of a network of alliances and partners from 35 other maritime-nations, the U.S. Navy has operated in the Indo-Pacific region for more than 70 years, providing credible, ready forces to help preserve peace and prevent conflict.

Soldiers, Veterans, and community members gathered together for the 24th Infantry Division’s 74th Annual Reunion Memorial Ceremony at Fort Stewart, Georgia, Oct. 14, 2022. The 24th ID was inactivated and reflagged to become the 3rd Infantry Division as part of the Army’s reduction to a ten-division force April 26, 1996.

During this ceremony, Veterans of the historic 24th ID, known as the Victory Division, came together to celebrate their division’s illustrious history and talk about its legacy.

“This is a homecoming for me and for many of us, and it’s emotional,” said Lt. Gen. (Ret.) John Lemoine. “It’s a great day to come together.”

Chris Stapleton, the 24th ID Association president and a 24th ID alumni, honored these Veterans by explaining the impact they had on his life.

“There are people here I worked directly with that trained me and not only made my career better, but they made me a better person,” said Stapleton. “They taught me to serve our country and our communities.”

The 24th ID was originally part of the Hawaiian Division, which was established at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, on March 1, 1921. In the fall of 1941, the Hawaiian Division split into the 24th and the 25th Infantry Divisions.

The 24th ID distinguished itself during World War II by participating in five campaigns, four of which were spearheaded by the division. The Division also served during the Korean War and was the first to engage North Korea’s aggressor force during the war’s first battle in Osan. Elements of the division went on to serve in Germany at Checkpoint Charlie along the Berlin Wall beginning in the early 1960’s.

During Desert Storm, the Division spearheaded the Allied Coalition Forces’ attack into Iraq. The 24th ID was again called to service Oct. 4, 1993, when it was ordered to deploy to Mogadishu to provide protection in support of Operation Restore Hope.

The last commander of 24th Infantry Division, Gen. Joseph DeFrancisco, cased the colors of the Victory Division for the final time in 1996, ending its stay on Fort Stewart after being activated on the installation in 1975. Moments later, Gen. Jack Keane, the XVIII Airborne Corps commander, handed DeFrancisco the 3rd ID colors, making him the first commander of the “Marne Division” on Fort Stewart. With this action, 3rd ID also took over the role as the armored force of the XVIII Airborne Corps from the Victory Division.

Although the 24th ID cased its colors 26 years ago, 3rd ID continues to honor its predecessor’s legacy here and serves proudly as a supportive partner to the community of Coastal Georgia. With today’s ceremony complete, Veterans of the 24th ID can rest assured that their legacy continues onward with each 3rd ID Soldier.

The area leaders within 9th BN recently received their annual commander’s intent right before the fiscal year began and based on guidance; an expectation is outlined for each area. Area leaders are also responsible for coordinating and executing mission allocation to each assigned career counselor using various complex matrices in their area of responsibility (AOR).

Area five career counselors are expected to transfer 56 Soldiers from the Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) into the Troop Program Unit (TPU) and reenlist/extend 269 Soldiers in the TPU.

“A team meeting is necessary to discuss current standard operating procedures, expectations, and the mission assignments for area five in FY23,” said Sgt. 1st Class Stephen M. Cox, the newly assigned area five leader.

Additionally, we used this meeting as an opportunity to conduct required briefs and present a team member with some early baby shower gifts to build unit cohesion, said Cox.

Given the critical end strength trend within the USAR, area five career counselors will partner with the 9th BN Officer Accessions (Special Missions) team by pro-actively counseling assigned USAR Soldiers in order to promote the various avenues to earn commission as an Officer or Warrant Officer.

This meeting also allowed the local special missions officer accession non-commissioned officer (OANCO) to join.
“Briefing the local career counselors is important,” said Sgt. 1st Class Victoria A. Morales, an OANCO and assistant area leader, assigned to Army Reserve Careers Group, 9th Battalion Special Missions, “because it provides a shared understanding of the role of the OANCO and how we assist in supporting Soldiers with career advancement opportunities.”

Shaping and sustaining the strength of the Army Reserve through aggressive retention and transition programs is part of the ARCG’s mission.

Generally, individual career counselors meet routinely with area leaders to evaluate the status of their mission within their AOR.

“We foster the command’s philosophy of People, Partners, and Processes by partnering with our career counselor teammates to promote the reenlistment program as well as provide options for IRR Soldiers to explore after transferring into the TPU,” said Morales.

The next team meeting by area five is tentatively scheduled at the Armed Forces Reserve Center on Fort Sheridan, IL, before the end of the first quarter of FY23.

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CAMP BONDSTEEL, Kosovo – Kosovo Force’s Regional Command-East officially welcomed the Soldiers of their new aviation task force during a transfer of authority ceremony Oct. 11, 2022.

The 2nd Battalion, 224th Aviation Regiment, 29th Infantry Division, Virginia Army National Guard (Task Force Pegasus), relinquished responsibility of all RC-E’s aerial operations to the 1st Battalion, 131st Aviation Regiment, 29th Infantry Division, Alabama Army National Guard (Task Force Yellowhammer).

As part of the ceremony, leaders from Task Force Pegasus cased their unit’s flag, or colors, officially signifying the culmination of their nine-month mission in the region, followed by leaders from Task Force Yellowhammer uncasing their unit’s colors, representing the beginning of their mission in Kosovo.

“In the past five years, we have completed two (National Training Center) rotations and one (Joint Readiness Training Center) rotation, as well as deploying to Albania, Bosnia, and Greece in support of Defender Europe 21. In summary, this is a proven team and I am confident they will succeed at this mission just like they have the others,” said Lt. Col. David G. Goodall, the TF Yellowhammer commander. “After 25 months of long preparation, Task Force Yellowhammer could not be more excited to accept responsibility for this mission and get right to work.”

During Task Force Pegasus’ rotation, over 1,700 flight hours and 275 aerial missions were completed, five multinational multi-ship flights, and 14 MedEvac missions, two of which required the use of a hoist and countless hours of training.

“I think before we left, we wanted everybody to come back with three things they could say, which were that we made ourselves better, made the unit better, and made Kosovo better. And I think after our TOA, we can look back and say that everyone is coming back better off than they left,” said Lt. Col. Matthew C. Lewis, the Task Force Pegasus Commander. “The unit is much better trained than we left, and Kosovo is a better place because we were here. So, I think looking at all those things and then collectively we take a step back, this is something that they will be able to take with them for the rest of their lives.”

During the ceremony, the commander of RC-East, Col. Christopher Salmuksi, reflected on the accomplishments of Task Force Pegasus and welcomed the new aviation task force to the region. Samulski relies heavily on his aerial assets to quickly transport troops, supplies, and conduct medical evacuations (MedEvac) throughout the region.

“Task Force Pegasus has some of the finest Soldiers with which I have served, and I feel honored and blessed to have had this great organization as part of my command,” Samulski said during the ceremony. “To Task Force Yellowhammer: Welcome to Kosovo and Regional Command-East. I look forward to working with all of you, and I am confident that this unit will continue to carry the torch of professionalism and expertise that the aviation task force has maintained in this region for the past 23 years.”

KFOR RC-East is comprised of ten contributing NATO partner nations working to ensure a safe and secure environment and freedom of movement for all communities in Kosovo.

“I was not prepared for just how big of an impact that we have here in RC-East, and how our mission makes such a difference,” Lewis said. “I think that this has been one of the most rewarding things in my career, knowing that our presence here as part of NATO has helped in providing stability for the region. It is a worthwhile endeavor that I’m proud to have taken part in.”

KFOR RC-East’s mission is to maintain a safe and secure environment and freedom of movement for all communities in Kosovo as mandated by the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244 of 1999.

Cadets, staff and faculty gathered at Washington Hall to attend the annual Sylvanus Thayer Award Banquet to honor philanthropist Kenneth Fisher as this year’s awardee for his dedicated service to military service members and veterans on Oct. 6 at the U.S. Military Academy.

Through his steadfast leadership of the Fisher House Foundation, Fisher provided, at no cost, a home away from home for more than 430,000 families while service members and veterans received medical treatment.

In 2021 alone, 27,000 families received support through the Fisher House Foundation’s 21 suites, which provide private bathrooms, laundry facilities, common kitchens, dining rooms and living rooms.

“As we come together this evening to recognize this year’s Thayer Award recipient, I can think of no finer example to inspire these future leaders to do good and make a difference…,ˮ said the 61st Superintendent, Lt. Gen. Steven W. Gilland. “Sir, we are proud and honored to recognize you this evening as a leader of character and an exemplar of West Point’s ideals of Duty, Honor, Country.ˮ

Since the Fisher program’s inception, numerous families have saved a combined $547 million worth of costs for lodging and transportation during trying times.

Since 2011, the Fisher House Foundation has collaborated with the Department of Defense to provide air travel and hotel lodging to bring together families and service members when a Fisher House is unavailable.

Among the long list of recognitions, Fisher has also been honored by the Department of Defense and the Department of the Army for his years of service during national security efforts.

“As my friend, I was thrilled to learn he was nominated for this award,ˮ USMA 1975 graduate Robert McDonald said. “Having Ken Fisher’s name on the Thayer Award plaque and displaying his portrait in the Thayer Award Room will forever associate him with West Point.ˮ

And so, as he stood in between Gilland and McDonald, watching the Corps of Cadets march on the Plain, Fisher said he was confident that the Class of 2023 would commission as second lieutenants and lead the Nation into a safeguarded future.

“I think this country is in excellent hands because this group of cadets will join the Long Gray Line and continue to commit to excellence and the defense of our Nation,ˮ Fisher said.

During the banquet, Fisher addressed the crowd describing how it took months to come up with the right words to express his appreciation for the award.

“It remains difficult to imagine that my name will be added to the list that includes former U.S. presidents, generals, cabinet secretaries, diplomats, astronauts — all giants from different walks of life who devoted their lives to serving this Nation,ˮ Fisher added.

As the banquet culminated, Class of 2023 Cadet Lauren Drysdale presented Fisher with a Cadet Bust on the behalf of the Corps of Cadets for his distinguished national service.

“On behalf of the West Point team and the Corps of Cadets, thank you, sir, for your lifetime of selfless service to the millions of men and women who have worn the cloth for our Nation and their families and for inspiring us to do good,ˮ Gilland concluded.