KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany - Leaders and Soldiers from throughout the 21st Theater Sustainment Command rang in 2015 with members of the German military and local leaders from the Kaiserslautern community with food, fellowship and tradition during a New Year's reception at The Armstrong Club on the Vogelweh Military Complex, Jan. 9.
The occasion began with a piece of military tradition, the receiving line. Guests filed into the ballroom, signed into a guest book and were officially greeted by Maj. Gen. John R. O'Connor, the commanding general of the 21st TSC, Command Sgt. Maj. Rodney J. Rhoades, the 21st TSC's senior enlisted leader, and Command Sgt. Maj. David S. Davenport Sr., the command sergeant major of U.S. Army Europe. To add a flare of German tradition, a local chimney sweep and his daughter also welcomed the guests and presented them with a one-Euro-cent piece.
"The chimney sweep gives us good luck for the coming year," said Dr. Klaus Weichel, the Lord Mayor of Kaiserslautern, Germany. Receiving the one-Euro-cent piece "is a German symbol of gaining peace and welcoming in the New Year."
O'Connor then addressed all in attendance, welcoming them and wishing them a happy New Year.
"I am honored to bring in the New Year with all of our NATO alliance members, community leaders and Germany city, state and federal representatives under one roof," O'Connor told the guests. "I feel so fortunate to have shared this past year with all of you and to have experienced so many historic anniversaries of great magnitude with the terrific people across the state of Rheinland-Pfalz and the broader European community."
Following his speech, O'Connor was joined by Weichel and other German civilian and military leaders as well as senior leaders from the 21st TSC to cut the cake with the ceremonial saber. 'First in Support' leaders and their guests then enjoyed food, camaraderie and music provided by the U.S. Army Europe Band.
Taking the time to celebrate the New Year together is "about building strong relationships and saying thank you," said Rhoades. "It's about spending time with one another because we all work so hard and taking the time to really develop these personal and professional relationships will make us a stronger and better community and family."
For O'Connor, building upon the already strong relationship the 21st TSC has with the local community and its NATO partners throughout Europe is a top priority for his command.
"This effort will continue into the New Year as we face new challenges and create new ways of working together within our joint partnership," said O'Connor. "Our strong sense of community and commitment to Europe, and to each other, will continually motivate us to excel forward together, whatever the future brings."
Weichel agrees that the German partnership with its U.S. allies is vital to the security of Germany and the rest of Europe.
"We all have a common way of life and common political issues," said Weichel. "Working to strengthen our NATO partnership means that all of us can continue to live in peace and security for a long time to come."
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