Quick March

What an Honor and a Priviledge we had today! Myself and Drum Sergeant Shumaker participated in a joint combination 9-11 Service and   the Un Casing of the Colors Ceremony for the newly relocated United States Army Ordinance Corps at Ft. Lee today. The US Army Ordinance Corps has been headquartered at Aberdeen Maryland for 92 years, and it took an Act of Congress to move them to Ft Lee, literally.

Before and after the hour long ceremony, CO Brigadier General Collyar, and RCSM Sergeant Major Brooks made a point to come speak with us, and we thoroughly appreciate the enthusiasm they bring to the Post.  We also got to see a few familiar faces we have become quite good friends with from the post, such as CWO Wallace of the 392nd Army Band and many others. The Ordinance Corps, itself, will bring 4,000 more personnel to Ft Lee over the next two years.  The first portion of the ceremony consisted of Officially Un Casing the Colors of the Ordinance Corps, and the latter portion paid honor and tribute to the 20 members from the Army, Airforce and Marines, that were killed in action this past year. As each deceased soldier, airman and Marine’s name was read, a representavive of their branch, marched up, placed a set of dog tags on the memorial and saluted, as we played a solemn lament.

Towards the end of the ceremony, Drum Sergeant Shumaker and myself were first presented the Award for Excellence in our Craft, by Regimental Command Sergeant Major Brooks, and then received an Award For Excellence by Brigadier General Collyar.  An officer afterwards whispered into our ears, that in all his years under their command, he had only seen a very select few receive either awards. We surely feel honored.

 Other Corps groups are also relocating to Ft Lee. When it’s all said and done, Ft Lee will probably be the largest multi Training Base in the country. Nothing happens by coincidence, and I’m proud that we as the SALPD are right there with them to be there for their ceremonial needs.

psssst…. not to mention, there’s a few of my brother Devil Dogs there too!

PM MacLeod

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