Fort Drum community honors retiring Soldiers

FORT DRUM, N.Y. -- Fort Drum community members honored 16 Soldiers with more than 346 years of combined military service during a retirement ceremony Friday at the Multipurpose Auditorium.

Lt. Col. Brian C. North, commander of Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 10th Mountain Division (LI), served as guest speaker. He began his remarks by thanking the retirees for their service and leadership.

"As our honorees crossed the stage today, I am sure it struck you the breadth of experience they represent," North said. "But let me translate that into numbers -- 3,987 total months of active federal service; 52 total combat deployments, with over 508 months away from their Families.

"The numbers are impressive, but I would like to focus on a different and incalculable number instead," he continued. "Each of these officers and (noncommissioned officers) spent years impacting and influencing other Soldiers -- from their first days in the military where they provided a positive peer influence to decades of leadership positions in which they cared for subordinates. This is their legacy."

As the retirees prepare to transition to civilian life, North said he knows that they made a positive impact on their Soldiers.

"If each of you takes a moment to reflect on those that you touched, your lasting impact really takes shape in an amazing way," he said. "As you transition to your new phase, that impact does not end. Some of you will continue to have close friends and subordinates in the military who will reach out for advice. Some will take a job that continues your close relationship with the active military.

"All of you are now ambassadors to the American public -- the vast majority have zero personal experience with the hardships, sacrifices and most importantly, growth, your time provided," North added. "As part of your transition, you participated in the Soldier for Life: Transition Assistance Program. I think the Army made a good change with the Soldier for Life concept as it (emphasizes) the importance (that) former active-duty Soldiers play in educating the American public -- those who vote for our civilian leaders, pay the taxes, provide recruits and, ultimately, support us. You are the strongest voice in spreading our story in whatever your next phase brings."

North thanked the retirees' Families who attended the ceremony and gave them credit for their Soldiers' success.

After concluding his remarks, North helped to honor the retirees.

The following Soldiers each received the Legion of Merit:

*Chief Warrant Officer 4 Michael R. Wangler, 10th Sustainment Brigade Troops Battalion, 10th Sustainment Brigade, retires after 27 years of service. He served overseas in Korea and Kuwait and during Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Wangler will retire in Williamson.

*Chief Warrant Officer 4 Ernie A. Ixtlahuac, 10th Special Troops Battalion, 10th Sustainment Brigade, retires after 24 years of service. He served overseas in Honduras, Kuwait and Germany, and during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. Ixtlahuac will retire in Carthage.

*Sgt. Maj. Richard Lacuesta, Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 10th Mountain Division (LI), retires after 32 years of service. He served overseas in Panama, Germany, Korea and Hawaii, and during Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn. Lacuesta will retire in Kapolei, Hawaii.

The following Soldiers each received the Meritorious Service Medal:

*Maj. Joshua D. Collins, 10th Sustainment Brigade Troops Battalion, 10th Sustainment Brigade, retires after 18 years of active-duty service. He served overseas during Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Collins will retire in Hamburg.

*Chief Warrant Officer 2 Kyle T. Cheeseman, 2nd Battalion, 10th Aviation Regiment, 10th Combat Aviation Brigade, retires after 21 years of service. He served overseas in Honduras and during Operation Joint Endeavor, Operation Southern Watch and Operation Enduring Freedom. Cheeseman will retire in Three Mile Bay.

*Chief Warrant Officer 2 Larry D. Jackson, 3rd Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, retires after 20 years of service. He served overseas in Germany and Korea and during Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Jackson will retire in Talladega, Ala.

*Sgt. 1st Class Fernando M. Gamboa, 548th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 10th Sustainment Brigade, retires after 21 years. He served overseas in Korea. Gamboa will retire in Watertown.

*Sgt. 1st Class Steven P. Gunton, 3rd Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, retires after 20 years of service. He served overseas in Korea and during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. Gunton will retire in Milton, Fla.

*Sgt. 1st Class Darren P. Lemorta, Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 10th Mountain Division (LI), retires after 20 years of service. He served overseas in Alaska, as part of Multinational Force and Observers and during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Lemorta will retire in Carthage.

*Sgt. 1st Class Christopher Dean Oliver, Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 10th Mountain Division (LI), retires after 20 years of service. He served overseas in Germany, as part of Stabilization Force and during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Oliver will retire in Midland, Ga.

*Sgt. 1st Class James Michael Richards, 3rd Battalion, 6th Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, retires after 20 years of service. He served overseas in Korea and Hawaii and during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. Richards will retire in Brooklet, Ga.

*Sgt. 1st Class Delasie M. Wynter, 3rd Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, retires after 26 years of service. She served overseas in Korea and Germany, as part of Stabilization Force and during Operation Desert Shield / Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Wynter will retire in Fredriksted, St. Croix, Virgin Islands.

*Staff Sgt. Angel J. Rodriguez, 7th Engineer Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team, retires after 20 years of service. He served overseas in Korea and Alaska and during Operation Enduring Freedom. Rodriguez will retire in Philadelphia.

The following Soldiers received the Army Commendation Medal:

*Staff Sgt. Kamolrat Hendrix, 2nd Battalion, 10th Aviation Regiment, 10th Combat Aviation Brigade, retires after 15 years of service. He served overseas during Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Hendrix will retire in San Diego.

*Staff Sgt. Bruce Lee Hernandez, 3rd Battalion, 85th Infantry Regiment (Warrior Transition Unit), U.S. Army Medical Department Activity, retires after 20 years. Hernandez will retire in Watertown.

*Staff Sgt. Robert E. Lee, 3rd Battalion, 85th Infantry Regiment (Warrior Transition Unit), U.S. Army Medical Department Activity, retires after 22 years of service. He served overseas in Alaska and Korea and during Operation Restore Democracy, Operation Joint Forge, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. Lee will retire in LaFargeville.

Each retiree also received an Army retirement pin, a U.S. flag and a letter of appreciation from the commanding general.