JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J., Sept. 11, 2010 - As the U.S. Flag flew at half staff over Sharp Field in remembrance of those 3,000 Americans whose lives ended in the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, one man ended a 37-year Army career that stretched from the Vietnam War to the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Dozens of military personnel, civilian employees and distinguished guests gathered at the parade field to say goodbye to Col. Albert J. Porto, assistant chief of staff/staff operations and training officer for the 78th Training Brigade. Porto was awarded the Legion of Merit by Brig. Gen. Walter B. Chahanovich, commanding general of the 78th, in recognition of his nearly four decades of service to his nation.
"Al Porto can proudly wear the badge of having made the 78th the leading training brigade that it is today," said Chahanovich. "With him goes a history of this organization that few of us can duplicate."
Porto's military history dates back to 1972 when he was commissioned as a second lieutenant. After various assignments, including a one-year tour in Korea and command of the 78th Division's 3rd Battalion (Field Exercise), Porto found his way to the 78th Division in November 1995. Three years later, he became the 78th's assistant chief of staff, a position he held until retirement.
"Col. Porto has been on staff with the division since 1998, which accounts for his knowledge about every exercise and organizational change the division has gone through," said Chahanovich. "It's that knowledge I have come to rely upon as we've gone through transformation and taken on all of the responsibilities that the Army Reserve has given us."
Porto's value to the 78th was expressed in the Legion of Merit he received from Chahanovich.
The Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements.
Other retirees honored with Legions of Merit during the ceremony were Col. Stephen J. McCahey, deputy commander of the 78th, and Col. Kenneth W. Webb, the 78th's chief of staff.
After receiving his award, Porto expressed gratitude to his wife, Yong, and to those he had served with in the 78th throughout his many years of service.
"This is the Army - whatever you put into it, you get out of it; you give it your best, you're going to get your best in return," said Porto, a resident of Staten Island, N.Y.
Porto added that he feels privileged to be American, and challenged the 78th's Soldiers to continue to live the Army Values and uphold the standards he helped set for the brigade.
"Soldiers of the 78th, it's your Army," he said as he put the podium - and a distinguished 37-year Army career - behind him.
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