MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan - Soldiers of Delta Detachment, 1st Space Company (Joint Tactical Ground Station), held their annual JTAGS Japan Spring Formal April 21 here.
The formal is an opportunity for military members and their spouses to meet socially, partake in a fine meal, enjoy some entertainment, hear distinguished speakers, and honor those of notable achievement.
About 80 people attended the formal to include eight Japanese dignitaries. The Japanese guests of honor were Maj. Gen. Masatoshi Kawase, Northeastern Army deputy commanding general for Operation and Warrant Officer Kazunari Suzuki, NEA, Office of the Commanding General sergeant major.
At the beginning of the formal, guests were led in a series of toasts to the president of the United States, the U.S. Armed Forces, the Japan Ground Self Defense Forces, the ladies and our fallen comrades.
There was one table set as a place of honor for our fallen comrades. The table was small and set for one symbolizing the frailty of one prisoner alone against his oppressors. The table cloth was white symbolizing the purity of intentions to respond to our country's call to arms. A single rose serves as a reminder of the family members and loved ones who keep the faith awaiting the return of our comrades in arms. A slice of lemon serves as a reminder of their bitter fate. Spilled salt upon the plate represents the tears of the children who will never know their touch or the whisper of their voices. An inverted glass symbolizes that they can not toast this night.
After a moment of silence and playing of Taps, the formal continued with a grog (punch) bowl ceremony dedicated to those who gave their lives to the cause of freedom.
Each ingredient added to the grog was related to the various JTAGS Units. Also, Kawase added sake for the 50-year relationship between the United States and Japan.
Following the Army traditions, dinner was served to Soldiers and guests.
After dinner, the guest speaker, Brig. Gen. Kurt S. Story, deputy commander for Operations, U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Forces Strategic Command, provided remarks.
Story thanked the wives for putting so much effort into the event. He also thanked Kawase for being there.
"General Kawase thank you for bringing your team here today and sharing this dinner with us," Story said. "We appreciate you taking the time, and we have enjoyed your visit very much today."
Story continued by recognizing the 2009 JTAGS Crew of the Year -- Staff Sgt Christopher Crook, Sgt. Matthew Heineman, Spec. J.C. Thomas.
He also recognized the 2010 Pacific Region Noncommissioned Officer of the Year Staff Sgt. James Harris and the 2010 Pacific Region Soldier of the Year Spec. Daniel Flores.
Story also emphasized the importance of the JTAGS mission to our Army.
"While your Army has been at war ... it's also been transforming," he said. "It's an Army that's versatile, expeditionary in nature, agile, lethal, sustainable, and interoperable. Our army has to prepare for the future while we're fighting these wars.
"JTAGS and JTAGS transformation is an important part of that Army transformation," said Story. "Our adversaries ... are very sophisticated. They can range from hackers, criminals, non-state actors, actors, and state actors. I think everybody in here appreciates that JTAGS relies on space.
"These adversaries ... have various capabilities to be able to influence space and to strip space away from us," he said. "We call this denied, disrupted, degraded space operations environment. So as professionals who rely upon space, you need to be able to recognize when your space assets are being interfered with.
"What you do is very very important, and you do make a difference," Story concluded. "What you do counts. America and our allies count on you."
The night continued with the Soldiers dancing and having fun.
"The overwhelming response by the Soldiers was that it was the best formal they had ever been to," said Capt. Erol Munir, commander, Delta Detachment.
"They had a great time and particularly enjoyed seeing their leadership partake in the grog bowl ceremony," Munir said. "They also loved seeing the Japanese general ceremonially pour sake into the grog bowl."
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