A Wish For Joy Throughout Year

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. -- Focusing on others throughout the year Aca,!" that was the wish Lt. Gen. Kevin Campbell expressed during his comments at the second annual Garrison Holiday Ball Dec. 4 at the Officers and Civilians Club.

Speaking to a gathering of more than 300 merrymakers, Campbell told his audience that selfless service, a joyful spirit and the goodness that is exhibited this time of year should be a way of life.

Aca,!A"I always wish we could sprinkle that throughout the entire year,Aca,!A? he said. Aca,!A"My wish is that we could sprinkle this wonderful joy throughout the year.Aca,!A?

Campbell, commander of the Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Forces Strategic Command, was the guest speaker at an event that has quickly become one of the highlights of the holiday season on Redstone Arsenal. The Garrison Holiday Ball is hosted by Garrison commander Col. Bob Pastorelli and his wife, Anna, and is coordinated by FMWR.

The evening included a receiving line, a welcome from Pastorelli, entertainment by the Columbia High choir, a Garrison video and dancing.

Campbell mentioned the outstanding work of the Aviation and Missile Command and other Army organizations at Redstone as well as the Garrison in providing needed services in support of Soldiers. He also referred to the ArmyAca,!a,,cs efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Aca,!A"I am grateful for the 265,000 Soldiers and civilians deployed tonight around the globe to fight this war for us,Aca,!A? he said. Aca,!A"This Arsenal gives our troops the tools day in and day out to fight these wars.Aca,!A?

Separation from loved ones and memories of loved ones past can make the holidays especially difficult for families, particularly military families, he said.

With President Barack ObamaAca,!a,,cs recent announcement to send 30,000 additional troops to Afghanistan, Campbell said the Army and the nation will carry Aca,!A"heavier burdens in the near futureAca,!A? as Soldiers are Aca,!A"performing their noble work and exposed to the highest risk. We should give them everything weAca,!a,,cve got.Aca,!A?

While 2009 has been the Year of the NCO for the Army, Campbell suggested that should be expanded to being Aca,!A"the first decade of the 21st century as the decade of the NCO.Aca,!A?

He said the story of the Army and the Soldier has and always will remain a story of dedication, duty and value.

Aca,!A"Soldiers are the stiff backbone that makes the Army so good and that gives me an easy faith in the Army,Aca,!A? Campbell said.

In the upcoming months, he hopes Aca,!A"national leaders will be able to see through the chaos and that military leaders will give the advice neededAca,!A? to the benefit of the nation, veterans, wounded warriors and Soldiers.

In closing, Campbell wished his audience a wonderful holiday and a rewarding new year.

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