Posted: 5/26/2004 10:40:20 PM EDT
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May 24, 2004 Seven units deactivated at Fort Sill Associated Press LAWTON, Okla. — Members of the U.S. Army Reserves must “tell the true Army story” now that they no longer need to fill active military support roles. Brig. Gen. James A. Cerrone, deputy commanding general of Fort Sill, broke from traditional farewell remarks as members of seven reserve units were deactivated on Friday. Cerrone said he wanted to read a message sent recently to Army personnel from Acting Secretary of the Army R.L. Brownlee and Army Chief of Staff Gen. Peter J. Schoomaker. “Never in recent memory have our Army values, the Soldier’s creed, and our warrior ethos been more important for us to reflect upon than today. Our Army is serving our nation with great courage and honor during very dangerous times... “In view of current events, we must redouble our efforts, hold our heads high and drive on to accomplish our individual tasks and collective missions. Integrity is non-negotiable.” The units being deactivated were the 5045th Garrison Support Unit from Fort Sill; the 7220th Medical Support Unit from Tucson, Ariz.; the 396th Combat Support Hospital from Fort Lewis, Wash.; the 2291st U.S Army Hospital from El Paso, Texas; the 7214th Medical Support Unit from Garden Grove, Calif.; the 4211th U.S. Army Hospital from San Diego, Calif., and the 18th Medical Hospital from Fort Story, Va. Unit members served as military police and training personnel, and were assigned duties to maintain the installation while Fort Sill troops are serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. Cerrone said the reserve units had excelled at every task given to them, but added that their mission wasn’t complete. He asked them to remember the message he’d just read them when they returned home. “Tell your story. Tell the true Army story. You’ve got one heck of a story to tell,” he said. Maj. Gen. James R. Sholar, commanding general of the 90th Regional Readiness Command headquartered at North Little Rock, Ark., also thanked the soldiers and recognized the personal sacrifices they had to make. “Some of you have been here almost two years. You did a great job, but that’s what we expected you to do,” Sholar said. “... Enjoy every precious, boring, hot, cold, lonely, scary, frustrating, sad or happy minute you have in this place, this time. It is special. It makes you one of a privileged few.” |
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