Army North conducts quarterly recognition ceremony, town hall

By Staff Sgt. Corey Baltos, USARNORTHJuly 8, 2013

Caldwell
1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas. - Lt. Gen. William Caldwell IV, commanding general, U.S. Army North (Fifth Army), and senior commander of Fort Sam Houston and Camp Bullis, wells up with emotion July 3 as he thanks the Soldiers and civilians of Army North fo... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Palmer
2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas. " Command Sgt. Maj. Hu Rhodes (left) and Lt. Gen. William Caldwell IV present the category II civilian of the quarter award to Jon Palmer during the command's quarterly recognition ceremony and town hall meeting July 3 at the... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Volunteers
3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas. " Command Sgt. Maj. Hu Rhodes (left) and Lt. Gen. William Caldwell IV (right) flank U.S. Army North (Fifth Army) Soldiers and civilians during the command's quarterly recognition ceremony and town hall meeting July 3 at the F... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas - Lt. Gen. William Caldwell IV, along with Command Sgt. Maj. Hu Rhodes, recognized Army North Soldiers and civilian employees during the U.S. Army North (Fifth Army) quarterly recognition ceremony and town hall meeting July 3 at the Fort Sam Houston Theater.

The event was Caldwell's final quarterly recognition ceremony as the commanding general of U.S. Army North (Fifth Army) and as the senior commander of Fort Sam Houston and Camp Bullis; Rhodes serves as his senior enlisted leader.

Among those people recognized were the 2013 volunteer of the year nominees, the civilians of the quarter and Soldiers who were instrumental in the success of the Army Birthday Ball.

"We had a lot going on last quarter," said Caldwell, as he prepared to present the awards. "There was no shortage of those for us to recognize."

The winner for the category II (government service level 11 and 12) Civilian of the Quarter was Jon Palmer, who works at the Army North computer help desk; Linda Theriault, who serves with Defense Coordinating Element Region VIII, was honored as the Civilian of the Quarters for category III (GS-13 through 15).

Palmer said he had idea he was nominated for the award and that it was a great honor.

"I am humbled by this award," he said. "I couldn't have done it without my team around me."

Once the awards were presented, Caldwell, who is slated to retire after 37 years of service, spoke to the gathered team members and informed them that Maj. Gen. (promotable) Perry Wiggins effectively assumes command of Army North on July 10. Caldwell will be using some of his transition leave prior to the change of command ceremony, which is tentatively set for early August.

Caldwell closed out the ceremony by thanking the members of Army North.

"We have had a wonderful experience in San Antonio," said Caldwell. "This is a great place to retire. As many of you know, this is where my dad ended his career too. I thoroughly enjoyed working with the people in this command."

Caldwell's father, William Caldwell III, retired as the commanding general of Fifth Army at Fort Sam Houston.