At the end of the Women's History Month Observance ceremony, Pvt. 1st Class Nini Puello, a native of New York, N.Y., with 618th Dental Company, received accolades from Maj. Gen. Thomas Vandal, 2nd Inf. Div., commanding general, Command Sgt. Maj. Andr...
Sgt Maj. Petra M. Casarez, from Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division, a logistic maintenance sergeant major received accolades from Maj. Gen. Thomas Vandal, 2nd Inf. Div., commanding general, Command Sgt. Maj. Andrew Spano, ...
CAMP RED CLOUD, South Korea-- Equal opportunity leaders of Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division, hosted a National Women?'s History Month event featuring a guest speaker within the division, March 21, at Camp Red Cloud, South Korea.
March is Women's History Month. It is a time to celebrate their contributions and honor the sacrifices and accomplishments of women who not only shaped the service but the country as well. The theme for the observance is "Celebrating Women of Character, Courage, and Commitment."
The observance kicked off with the 2nd Inf. Div., Band singing the Korean and U.S. national anthem. After the anthems, Monica K. Guthrie, a native of Fort Worth, Texas, took the lead of the song ?"Fly me to the moon" while the band supported her vocals. Master Sgt. LaShanda A. Brewer, a Enid, Okla., native and the noncommissioned in charge of the equal opportunity office, Sgt. 1st Class Karen Lassiter, Selma, N.C., native and an NCO at the EO office, and Sgt. 1st Class Vernice Green, the divisions commanding general?'s administrative assistant all sang ?"How excellent is your name."
Following the vocals, the masters of ceremonies announced the guest speaker, Command Sgt Maj. Petra M. Casarez, a logistic maintenance sergeant major and a native of Finland.
Casarez started off reciting the Soldiers Creed displaying passion in her voice and explaining what it means to her.
?"The creed is not about race, color, religion or sexual preference," said Casarez. ?"It?'s about serving together as one, living the Army values and warrior ethos."
Casarez held up a coin that she had when she was in college in Finland.
?"My mother said that I can be anything that I want to be," said Casarez.
Casarez said she wanted to be a Soldier and she came to the U.S. fulfilling her dreams in serving her country. Her persistence and passion led her to be where she is at today.
?"I will persist until I succeed," she said as she recited Og Mandino?'s poem.
Adding to women?'s history and paving the way for young women to succeed in the Army. Her words of encouragement and enthusiasm to succeed influenced a young Soldier during the ceremony.
?"I can definitely understand the hardships the command sergeant major had to overcome and her will to push on," said Pvt. 1st Class Nini Puello, a native of New York, N.Y., with 618th Dental Company. ?"As a woman it?'s a challenge being in the military. The fact that she is a woman from a different country and is able to succeed in the Army is inspiring. I?'m originally from another country as well so I can relate on her drive and her struggles."
At the end of the ceremony, participants and volunteers received accolades from Maj. Gen. Thomas Vandal, 2nd Inf. Div., commanding general and the EO team for their contributions to the ceremony.
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