A personal touch

February 18, 2005

They contain words like courage and honor, outstanding service and dedication.

These commendations, medals for achievement and work well done are beginning to flow around here.

But the words on the awards rarely give justice to a soldier's deeds.

Brig. Gen. Ron Chastain has been to six award ceremonies this week alone. More awards are coming in every day.

"It's always a pleasure to come down here to hand out awards because that's a fun thing to do," he told 3rd Battalion's Bravo Company. "This outfit is full of outstanding soldiers."

Some award ceremonies are more starched than others, with formal reading of citations and snaps to attention and salutes.

Today, Bravo went a little different route.

Soldiers were called up and their supervisor was asked to say some words about them.

Usually there was shouting from the back of the room, cheering and nickname calling.

Lt. Chris Lawless was called upon, and as soon as he stood up, the men of 2nd Platoon hollered, "Big sexy!" Yep, that's what they call him.

As others were called, cheers filled the room.

The platoon of New York soldiers that has been attached to Bravo Company since the very beginning -- its 1st Platoon -- cheered the loudest. They cheered for New Yorkers and Arkansans alike.

I remember that in Fort Polk, La., one year ago the New Yorkers kept to themselves. Now, they are fully blended with the Arkies they call friends.

Some of them stood on stage and shook the general's hand. The handshakes were followed by hugs from Brigade Command Sgt. Major Larry Isbell.

He's a hugger, which is hard to find in a sergeant major, the highest noncommissioned officer in the brigade.

Lt. Col. Kirk Van Pelt stood up and spoke about Maj. Del Griebel, battalion chaplain.

He is from Oregon, a latecomer to the battalion but a welcome addition. The former chaplain, Chaplain Cho, had a thick Korean accent that was hard to decipher.

"The Super Bowl, the Christmas party, you did a lot for the soldiers, chaplain," Van Pelt said.

The talk was met with cheers from the crowd.

"It's been a hell of a ride, chaplain, and I appreciate your hard work," Van Pelt said.

Afterward, Chastain told Bravo Company that he preferred their way of doing awards, with personalized messages and cheers.

"It means a lot to me, to hear the messages, the stories of these soldiers," he said.

Posted by Amy at February 18, 2005 12:42 PM