FORT DRUM, N.Y. -- Soldiers, Family Members, Civilians and members of the Fort Drum community gathered Friday at the Multipurpose Auditorium to celebrate the accomplishments of 31 retiring Soldiers, who collectively gave more than 696 years of service to the Army.
Col. Frederick "Mark" O'Donnell, 1st Brigade Combat Team commander and guest speaker for the occasion, said it was a privilege to represent the Warrior Brigade in honoring the group of senior leaders.
"Today, we lose a platoon's worth of talented and capable leadership and almost seven centuries' worth of experience that simply cannot be replaced by the people below them," O'Donnell said.
O'Donnell said that while these retirees would certainly remember deployments, duty stations and reenlistments, he said he believes it is the people they will remember most. He thanked the Soldiers, Families and community members in attendance for their presence at the ceremony.
"It is people that punctuate the events and places," he said. "It is the people you serve with that make the Army experience memorable."
He also applauded the retirees for their selfless service, and he reminded them not to undervalue the importance of their dedicated efforts. These Soldiers, he said, changed the world around them.
"They have shaped the world that we live in today," O'Donnell said. "They have fought for freedom that others, in faraway places, did not enjoy. They helped make the history that children across America are being taught. They did the hard, demanding tasks their country asked of them and won the respect of the American people at the same time."
"It was your courage, leadership and dedication that helped bring this change about," he told the retirees.
O'Donnell also spoke of the changes these retirees witnessed throughout their Army careers.
"You joined during the Cold War and saw that enemy vanquished, only to see that void replaced by an equally dangerous and violent one," he said. "The Army you entered resembles in few physical ways the Army you are leaving."
From changes in uniforms, to changes in technology and infrastructure, many aspects of the Army structure changed while these Soldiers served, O'Donnell said.
"The need for strong Families is one thing that has not changed," he said. "How appropriate that your final act in the Army is one that you share with your Family. It is a reminder to all of us the importance of Families and the importance of Families in accom-
plishing the Army mission."
O'Donnell thanked the Family Members in attendance for their dedication and support.
"It is very appropriate that we recognize you on this very special day too," he said. "I wish we could give you more than flowers, a certificate and a handshake."
O'Donnell concluded by encouraging the retirees to continue to connect with others and to serve their local communities.
"I would remind you that as a veteran, you are still a valuable member of the team," he said. "Stay with us; stay connected. You can still influence tomorrow's leader and Soldiers."
After concluding his remarks, O'Donnell helped to recognize the retirees.
The following Soldiers each received the Legion of Merit Award:
*Command Sgt. Maj. Daniel Ocanas, 710th Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, retires after 30 years of service. He served overseas in Hawaii, Alaska, Korea, Philippines, Japan, Panama, Norway, Honduras, Egypt and Germany and during Operation Enduring Freedom. Ocanas will retire in San Antonio.
*Command Sgt. Maj. Robert D. Parmer, 2nd Battalion, 10th Aviation Regiment, 10th Combat Aviation Brigade, retires after 26 years of service. He served overseas in Germany and Korea, in support of Stabilization Forces and during Operation Desert Shield / Storm, Operation Restore Hope, Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Parmer will retire in Huntsville, Ala.
The following Soldiers each received the Meritorious Service Medal:
*Lt. Col. Erik W. Lowe, Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 10th Mountain Division (LI), retires after 20 years of service. He served overseas in Korea and during Operation Enduring Freedom. Lowe will retire in Adams.
*Lt. Col. Joseph A. Pavone Jr., Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 10th Mountain Division (LI), retires after 23 years of service. He served overseas in Egypt and Saudi Arabia and during Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Pavone will retire in Melbourne, Fla.
*Maj. George A. Typhair, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 10th Sustainment Brigade, retires after 23 years of service. He served overseas in Germany, in support of Kosovo Forces and during Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Typhair will retire in LeRay.
*Capt. Karen M. Obeng-Dompreh, Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 10th Mountain Division (LI), retires after 17 years of service. She served overseas in Korea and Germany and during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Obeng-Dompreh will retire in Snellville, Ga.
*Chief Warrant Officer 4 Jessy D. Eismann, 2nd Battalion, 10th Aviation Regiment, 10th Combat Aviation Brigade, retires after 24 years of service. He served overseas in Germany, Alaska and Japan and during Operation Desert Shield / Storm, Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Eismann will retire in Grinnel, Iowa.
*Chief Warrant Officer 4 Christopher T. Janis, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 10th Combat Aviation Brigade, retires after 20 years. He served overseas in support of Stabilization Forces and during Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Janis will retire in Dadeville, Ala.
*Chief Warrant Officer 3 Ranee Kenn C. Manubay, 277th Aviation Support Battalion, 10th Combat Aviation Brigade, retires after 23 years of service. He served overseas in Korea and Germany and during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Manubay will retire in Olympia, Wash.
*Chief Warrant Officer 2 Christopher E. Might, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Brigade Combat Team, retires after 20 years of service. He served overseas in Korea and Germany, in support of Stabilization Forces and during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. Might will retire in Carthage.
*Sgt. Maj. Timothy A. Foster, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, retires after 27 years of service. He served overseas in Korea, Germany and Hawaii and during Operation Desert Shield / Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Foster will retire in Dahlonega, Ga.
*First Sgt. Mark W. Taylor, 10th Brigade Support Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team, retires after 29 years. He served overseas in Germany and Korea, in support of Stabilization Forces and during Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Taylor will retire in Live Oak, Calif.
*Master Sgt. Scott V. Wildman, 91st Military Police Battalion, 10th Sustainment Brigade, retires after 26 years of service. He served overseas in Germany, Korea and Egypt and during Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Wildman will retire in Tuscaloosa, Ala.
*Sgt. 1st Class James S. Crawford, 548th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 10th Sustainment Brigade, retires after 25 years of service. He served overseas in Netherlands and Hawaii, in support of Kosovo Forces and during Operation Desert Shield / Storm and Operation Enduring Freedom. Crawford will retire in Bend, Ore.
*Sgt. 1st Class Keith L. Lehman Jr., 3rd Battalion, 85th Infantry Regiment (Warrior Transition Unit), U.S. Army Medical Department Activity, retires after 20 years of service. He served overseas in Germany and Hawaii and during Operation Joint Endeavor, Operation Joint Forge, Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Lehman will retire in Bloomsburg, Pa.
*Sgt. 1st Class Michael E. Pitts, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, retires after 21 years of service. He served overseas in Alaska and during Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Pitts will retire in Theresa.
*Sgt. 1st Class John M. Randall, 91st Military Police Battalion, 10th Sustainment Brigade, retires after 25 years. He served overseas in Korea, Germany and Italy, in support of Stabilization Forces, in support of Kosovo Forces and during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Randall will retire in Sackets Harbor.
*Sgt. 1st Class John Robles, Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 10th Mountain Division (LI), retires after 21 years of service. He served overseas in Italy, Korea, Alaska and Honduras and during Operation Enduring Freedom. Robles will retire in Killeen, Texas.
*Sgt. 1st Class Christopher J. Skeet Sr., 3rd Battalion, 85th Infantry Regiment (Warrior Transition Unit), U.S. Army Medical Department Activity, retires after 23 years of service. He served overseas in Korea, Haiti and Egypt and during Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Skeet will retire in El Paso, Texas.
*Sgt. 1st Class Dwayne C. Thacker, 2nd Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, retires after 20 years of service. He served overseas in Germany, in support of Stabilization Forces and during Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Thacker will retire in Long Beach.
*Sgt. 1st Class Scott D. Thomas, 10th Brigade Support Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team, retires after 23 years of service. He served overseas in Germany and Korea, in support of Stabilization Forces and during Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Thomas will retire in Watertown.
*Staff Sgt. Class David M. Deihl, 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, retires after 23 years of service. He served overseas in Germany and Korea and during Operation Desert Sentry and Operation Enduring Freedom. Deihl will retire in Glens Falls.
*Staff Sgt. Class Robert R. Huffman, 548th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 10th Sustainment Brigade, retires after 23 years of service. He served overseas in Germany, in support of Stabilization Forces and during Operation Desert Shield / Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Huffman will retire in Tampa, Fla.
*Staff Sgt. Raymond A. Kinne, 277th Aviation Support Battalion, 10th Combat Aviation Brigade, retires after 23 years of service. He served overseas in Germany, Korea and Hawaii and during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Kinne will retire in Carthage.
*Staff Sgt. John W. Lewis, 710th Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, retires after 21 years of service. He served overseas in Germany and during Operation Vigilant Warrior, Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Lewis will retire in Rodman.
*Staff Sgt. Paul A. Oakes, 710th Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, retires after 20 years of service. He served overseas in Korea, Germany and Alaska, and during Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Oakes will retire in Newfane.
*Staff Sgt. Jason M. Pickett, 7th Engineer Battalion, 10th Sustainment Brigade, retires after 20 years of service. He served overseas during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. Pickett will retire in Crocker, Mo.
*Staff Sgt. Corey V. Rosemond, 3rd Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, retires after 20 years of service. He served overseas in Germany and during Operation Enduring Freedom. Rosemond will retire in Dallas.
*Staff Sgt. Jay J. Scott, 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, retires after 20 years of service. He served overseas in Germany and during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Scott will retire in Powhatan Point, Ohio.
*Staff Sgt. Jonathan S. Shea, 4th Battalion, 25th Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, retires after 23 years of service. He served overseas in Germany and during Operation Desert Fox and Operation Enduring Freedom. Shea will retire in Yarmouthport, Mass.
The following Soldier received the Army Commendation Medal:
*Sgt. Fernando J. Lopez Jr., 6th Squadron, 6th Cavalry Regiment, 10th Combat Aviation Brigade, retires after 20 years of service. He served overseas in Japan and during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. Lopez will retire in Okinawa, Japan.
Each retiree also received an Army retirement pin, a U.S. flag and a letter of appreciation from the commanding general.
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