If a Sgt. Audie Murphy Club induction ceremony could have been any indicator, its motto, Aca,!A"lead from the front,Aca,!A? was recently sounded loud and clear by SAMCAca,!a,,cs Fort Bliss Chapter. Four Soldiers were inducted into the SAMC and two Army spouses were honored with the Dr. Mary E. Walker Award during a ceremony at the Wyndham El Paso Airport Hotel, April 29. After an extended hiatus, the event was the first in a new resurgence of the SAMC chapter at Fort Bliss.
Inducted into the SAMC were Sgt. 1st Class Jerome Jackson and Staff Sgts. Roy Gutierrez and David Scott, all of the 11th Air Defense Artillery Brigade. Also receiving the honor was Staff Sgt. Sarah Wilton, a Soldier from 5th Brigade , 1st Armored Division (AETF.) Melanie Kish and JoAnn Drumheller were the recipients of the Walker Award. They are the spouses of Capt. Nathan Kish and 1st Sgt. Randall Drumheller respectively, both of 5th Bde., 1st AD (AETF.)
Part of U.S. Army Forces Command Regulation 600-80, which covers the SAMC program, reads, Aca,!A"The SAMC is a means of recognizing those NCOs who have contributed significantly to the development of a professional NCO Corps and combat ready Army. Members exemplify leadership characterized by personal concern for the needs, training, development and welfare of Soldiers and concern for families of Soldiers.Aca,!A?
The Walker award, given by the SAMC, is named after Dr. Mary E. Walker, a Civil War surgeon who dedicated her life to Soldiers and is the sole female recipient of the Medal of Honor. The award Aca,!A"is a means of recognizing those who have contributed significantly to the quality of life for Soldiers; exemplifying personal concern for the needs, training, development, and welfare of Soldiers; and concern for families of Soldiers.Aca,!A?
After the colors were honored, invocation, and a formal welcome, guests enjoyed a gourmet dinner and a presentation called Aca,!A"I am the Sergeant.Aca,!A? During the show, Bliss Soldiers dressed in historically accurate Army uniforms, which ranged from the Revolutionary War era to modern times, dramatically presented themselves, accompanied by an audio presentation which covered the ArmyAca,!a,,cs historical timeline.
The history continued with multimedia presentations on the biographies of Sgt. Audie Murphy and Dr. Mary Walker, and then Command Sgt. Maj. David Davenport, BlissAca,!a,,c command sergeant major, briefly addressed the audience. Though the Bliss chapter of the SAMC was first stood up in 1991, the local program had regressed over the years, until its resurgence in 2009. Davenport, an SAMC member, said he was very impressed with the new growth the club had seen in less than a year.
"IAca,!a,,cm truly amazed and proud just how far this club has come in just a few months,Aca,!A? said Davenport. Aca,!A"We began with only two members when I first got here and in less than six months the club has grown to over 60 members who provide an example of what NCOs should be in our formations across the post.Aca,!A?
He also recognized the selfless service of the nightAca,!a,,cs Walker Award recipients, spoke about the giving nature of SAMC Soldiers in Fort Bliss via many volunteer opportunities, and thanked SAMC officers and others for their dedication to the club before he introduced Maj. Gen. Howard Bromberg, BlissAca,!a,,c commanding general and the nightAca,!a,,cs guest speaker.
Bromberg echoed DavenportAca,!a,,cs sentiments about the impressive resurgence of the SAMC and added his admiration for the Noncommissioned Officer Corps, whose members he called Aca,!A"the backbone of the Army,Aca,!A? and tied that into his appreciation for the work of the nightAca,!a,,cs honorees.
Aca,!A"The contributions to the development of professionalism in the NCO Corps are an example for everyone to follow,Aca,!A? said Bromberg. Aca,!A"You set the highest standard of leadership and truly Aca,!Eoeled from the front,Aca,!a,,c and continue to do so.Aca,!A?
He added heartfelt words about the Walker Award recipients, shared some personal feelings on Sgt. Audie Murphy and Dr. Mary E. Walker and what their legacies represent in todayAca,!a,,cs Army, and added his appreciation for Army spouses, whom he said were Aca,!A"the strength behind the Aca,!Eoebackbone of the Army,Aca,!a,,cAca,!A? before stepping aside for the induction and award ceremony.
The night marked the end of a detailed club transition process for the inducted Soldiers that Staff Sgt. April Williams, a Bliss Soldier and president of the SAMCAca,!a,,cs Fort Bliss chapter, said was an exposition of themselves as professional Soldiers.
Aca,!A"It's not something you study in a book, it doesn't come from regulations, it doesn't come from SOPs,Aca,!A? said Williams. Aca,!A"Most of what's needed in becoming a SAMC member is experience; being out there with the Soldiers, learning how to take care of the Soldiers and just doing the right thing.Aca,!A?
In addition to their SAMC medallions and membership cards, inducted Soldiers were also awarded Army Commendation Medals and U.S. Army Forces Command certificates of achievement.
The spouses received the Walker Award and corresponding medallions for their selfless service to Soldiers and families. Bromberg said the bestowing of the Walker Award was a fitting way to celebrate those who do so much for the Army and ask for little in return.
Aca,!A"Tonight we recognize your extraordinary efforts and contributions to the quality of life of our Soldiers, and how you've helped meet the concern of the needs of that quality of life,Aca,!A? said Bromberg. "While your service is often not talked about up front, goes unnoticed, or is left behind the scenes, tonight it is not, so congratulations to each one of you.Aca,!A?
Drumheller, the family readiness group leader for Heaquarters and Headquarters Battery, Fires Bn., 5th Bde., said having the Walker Award bestowed upon her was truly an honor.
"I was overwhelmed by this award,Aca,!A? said Drumheller. Aca,!A"I love to volunteer and help other spouses who otherwise may not know what the Army is about.Aca,!A?
The humble mother of four daughters, who has heroically found the time to be a 13-year loyal veteran of Army family support initiatives, said her love for her husband and her Army has made the work all worthwhile.
"I love supporting my husband and what he does and letting him know that I'm always behind him,Aca,!A? said Drumheller. Aca,!A"I don't know what I'd do without the Army.Aca,!A?
Once the night had closed, Scott reflected on the honor of joining the ultra-selective ranks of the SAMC, thought to be the best the NCO Corps has to offer, and echoed WilliamsAca,!a,,c opinion that experience is the main factor in which the FORSCOM SAMC judges potential members.
"It's a club for the elite of the elite,Aca,!A? said Scott. Aca,!A"It's a great feeling and I'm very proud to be a member.Aca,!A?
During his remarks, Davenport noted the milestone that the ceremony represented for the resurgence of the Fort Bliss Chapter of the SAMC, but promised that with help from across Fort Bliss, it was only the beginning as the SAMC will continue to recruit the best Bliss NCOs for years to come.
Aca,!A"I challenge each command team that's here tonight to be represented in the next induction ceremony that we're going to do later on in the fall,Aca,!A? said Davenport. Aca,!A"Only with your support will this program continue to showcase all the great NCOs at Fort Bliss.Aca,!A?
For more general information on the SAMC, visit www.audiemurphy.com/samc. To learn more the Bliss chapter and how to become a member, e-mail the club officers at bliss.samc@conus.army.mil or april.williams1@conus.army.mil.
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