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ATLANTA, Ga. (November 8, 2008) - Sgt. 1st
Class Jason Garcia, U.S. Army Central G3 operations sergeant,
called cadence as Soldiers finished the USARCENT birthday run, Nov.
4. As he led the formation across the finish line and shook hands
with Lt. Gen. James Lovelace, USARCENT commanding general, he felt
a sense of pride.
"I felt proud and motivated," Garcia said. "Participating in
events like this gives us a chance to get together and celebrate
the unit. It is also important because USARCENT has a tremendously
long history and has done great things. It's something we should
honor."
Garcia was one of many who participated in USARCENT's birthday
run which was one of several sporting events held Nov. 3-7 in
celebration of the unit's 90th birthday. Those serving in Kuwait
also celebrated the 90th birthday with sporting events, a unit run
and a cake cutting.
For 1st Lt. Kevin Winfield, USARCENT G6 communications and
electronics officer, the week was an opportunity to participate
while also building camaraderie with his section.
Winfield competed in the volleyball, basketball, and softball
tournaments. Though he said he signed up because sports are
important to him and have taught him how to compete both in the
classroom and in life, the week also held deeper meaning.
"This week is like celebrating a birthday. Anytime you reach a
milestone, it should be celebrated and recognized," Winfield said.
"USARCENT is a great organization from which many great officers,
noncommissioned officers, and Soldiers have come. This week shows
Soldiers here that they are a part of history and teaches them
about the last 90 years of USARCENT."
Lovelace thanked Soldiers for their participation in sports
tournaments at an awards ceremony Nov. 6 at the Fort McPherson
Theater, commenting on the camaraderie that was formed throughout
the week. He awarded the Commander's Cup to Soldiers from G6 and G7
who tied in overall wins for the competition.
The final day of the celebratory week began with a visit from
two veterans of World War II. Mr. George Kottwitz served as a
sergeant and squad leader in the 11th Armored Division, Third
United States Army. He is a veteran of the Battle of the Bulge. Mr.
Dalton Mathis was a private and machine gunner in Kottwitz's squad.
Both met with Lovelace and Command Sgt. Major John D. Fourhman,
USARCENT command sergeant major, before touring the base with their
children and grandchildren.
After thanking Lovelace, Mathis talked about the pride he feels
for his country.
"When I received the call to come here I was so excited," Mathis
said. "We have a wonderful world, America is the most prosperous
nation. I'm proud that I served back then and I'd go to Iraq today
if I could."
The week ended with a USARCENT 90th Anniversary ball. Lt. Gen.
(Ret). Steven Arnold, former Third Army commander, served as the
guest speaker, highlighting important events in the unit's
history.
"What a great organization this is and you are a part of it,"
Arnold said. "Patton's army fought for 281 consecutive days and
some were deployed for three years without going home to see their
families. You have also made great contributions. You have been
deployed for 1,713 days, since March 2003.You are still making a
great contribution in Iraq and also in the global war on
terror."
Lovelace honored Mathis and Kottwitz at the ball, presenting
them with a photo and introducing them to the audience.
"We talk about our lineage and honors... battle streamers
from... Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace, and
Central Europe ... realize that these men were there... these men
earned those streamers," Lovelace said. "It is upon their shoulders
we built our Army... they are America's greatest generation... and
they've helped our Soldiers to become America's newest greatest
generation."
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