ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL, Ill. -- Ten Citizen-Soldiers from the Army Sustainment Command Army Reserve Element received awards during a welcome home ceremony held here June 4.
Maj. Quincy Washington, an Illinois state employee, received a Bronze Star Medal for his selfless service while performing hazardous deployed duty. In addition, he was presented a framed proclamation, signed by Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn, declaring June 4, 2011, as Maj. Quincy Washington Day.
“It feels really good to be recognized and rewarded,” Washington said. “People go through their entire careers without recognition. To have a date proclaimed to me or dedicated to me is wonderful.”
Four Reserve Soldiers received awards for their first deployments. Master Sgts. Thomas Bailey and Brad McCarthey, Capt. Scott Cook, and Lt. Col. Arthur Van Deven received Warrior Citizens flags, Army flags, Warrior Citizen coins and lapel pin sets with a pin for both the Soldier and his spouse. Two other award recipients, Maj. Jack Schade and Lt. Col. Wanda Robinson, did not attend the ceremony.
Four Reserve Soldiers received notes from a general officer and Warrior Citizen coins for their second and third deployments: Sgts. Maj. Tracy Johnston and Don Richardson, Lt. Col. Michele Pulley and Washington.
“The Welcome Home Warrior Citizen Award program provides an appropriate, timely, and enduring salute to Soldiers and their families,” said Lt. Col. Laura Powell, the emcee for the event. “Through this program, we convey in a small way our nation’s gratitude for their selfless service and sacrifice in support of the Global War on Terrorism.”
The award recognizes Reserve Soldiers who have served in Southwest Asia as well as support from those they left behind, Powell said.
The recipients received their awards while their family members some of their unit colleagues looked on.
Col. Kelly Peters, Army Reserve Sustainment commander; Col. Vicki J. Baxter, Army Sustainment Command-Army Reserve Element commander; and Command Sgt. Maj. Gerald Schmell, Army Sustainment Command-Army Reserve Element command sergeant major, presented the awards.
The Warrior Citizen Award was created by the U.S. Congress and approved by President George W. Bush. Army Reserve Soldiers who deploy in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation New Dawn earn the title of Warrior Citizen.