FORT BRAGG, N.C. - In keeping with the finest traditions of the Field Artillery, the 3rd Battalion, 321st Field Artillery Regiment inducted seven Soldiers into the Honorable Order of St. Barbara, and four spouses into the Artillery Order of Molly Pitcher at the Airborne Artillery Chapel, Feb. 19, at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
The Honorable Order of St. Barbara and the Artillery Order of Molly Pitcher awards recognize Soldier's and artillery spouses respectively for their contributions to the field artillery or air defense artillery branch.
The Honorable Order of St. Barbara award is named after the Patron Saint of Artillery. The Artillery Order of Molly Pitcher award is named after Mary Hays McCauley who earned her nickname, "Molly Pitcher," by bringing pitcher after pitcher of water to thirsty men, and manning the artillery for her husband's wounded and exhausted crew against the British Army during the Revolutionary War.
"The Honorable Order of St. Barbara award carries a special meaning," said Lt. Col. Joseph O'Callaghan, the 3-321st FAR commander to 3-321st FAR Soldiers and family members at the ceremony. "Soldiers are vetted for their accomplishments to receive the Honorable Order of St. Barbara award, which is held in high esteem in the Army community."
When Staff Sgt. Rene Bonilla arrived at Battery C, 3-321st FAR, to act as the battery's gunnery sergeant, he applied for the Honorable Order of St. Barbara award twice before being inducted into the Honorable Order of St. Barbara with the 3-321st FAR.
"I had many accomplishments that contributed to the Army in my career, but they did not translate to the field artillery skill set," mentioned Bonilla, a Los Angeles native and 10-year veteran.
Bonilla's unit selected him to be an observer/controller for several 82nd Airborne Division evaluations. He worked hard, and passed the complex Cannon Crewmember Field Artillery Master Gunner Course, which validated him as an expert in the Field Artillery branch.
Regina Brake, the Family Readiness Group leader for the 583rd Forward Support Company, 3-321st FAR, was inducted into the Artillery Order of Molly Pitcher for planning and executing several events since she arrived to the unit in 2013. Fort Bragg is the Brake family's first duty station, and the 3-321st FAR is their first assignment.
"We are always searching for ways to boost morale for our Soldiers and families, stated Blake whose husband, Spc. Ryan Brake, works as a light-wheeled mechanic in the unit.
"Even though the Artillery Order of Molly Pitcher award is prestigious in the Army, Molly Pitcher awardees do not look for the recognition," said Heather Conroy, the 3-321st FAR FRG Leader. "Our spouses continue to handle their duties at work, home, and continue to support their Soldiers as Molly Pitcher manned the guns when her husband was wounded and his crew was exhausted."
"It takes a village," Conroy added.
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