<b>FORT STEWART, Ga. </B>- "The 3rd Infantry Division and the 3rd Sustainment Brigade have accomplished the litany of things we have because of the great Americans who came before us. This is why we are steeped in tradition. We could not have done anything without them."

These words were spoken by Command Sgt. Maj. Clifton H. Johnson, command sergeant major of the 3rd Sustainment Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division at the Lower Altamaha Historical Society's meeting, Aug. 20 at Fort King George in Darien, Ga.

The society, an affiliate of the Georgia Historical Society, holds its meetings each Thursday of every month at Fort King George to discuss upcoming events and community services. The group usually invites a guest speaker to come and speak.

This month, Command Sgt. Maj. Johnson spoke on what a sustainment brigade is, how it supports the 3rd Infantry Division and why community support is so important to what they do. The title of his presentation was, "The Story of the 3rd Sustainment Brigade of the 3rd Infantry Division at Fort Stewart, Ga."

He recounted the history of the 3rd Infantry Division and the great men and women who are a part of the 3rd ID's rich historical lineage with people such as Sgt. Audie Murphy, the most decorated Soldier in the United States Army, and Sgt. 1st Class Paul Ray Smith, the Division's most recent Medal of Honor recipient.

He explained the 3rd ID's role in all of America's major conflicts, including World War I, World War II and most recently, Operations Desert Storm and Iraqi Freedom.

Command Sergeant Major Johnson explained that he feels like a parent most days coming into work at his brigade.

"I have close to 4,000 Soldiers under my command," he said. "And I care about every single one of them. I have taken them to Iraq twice and brought them back twice. They are all trained and proficient in their skills as Soldiers."

At the end of the speech, he opened the floor to discussion and questions, which ranged from the selection process of the Medal of Honor to the role of women in the Army.

"Everyone in this room is proud of the military. It does us good to have you here," said Howard Klippel, program chairman for the Lower Altamaha Historical Society. "I hope that it helps the morale of the military to know that they have the support of us and the citizens of America."

The Lower Altamaha Historical Society's primary mission is to preserve and disseminate the history of McIntosh County. They have participated in many community service events, including Habitat for Humanity Houses and setting up a yearly scholarship fund for a McIntosh County student. They have also researched and provided the documentation of all the cemetery sites in McIntosh County, some 80 in all.