JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii - The 94th Army Air and Missile Defense Command held its annual St. Barbara's Day Ball at the Modern Hotel in Honolulu on Friday, Dec. 4.
Distinguished guests included Gen. Vincent K. Brooks, commanding general, U.S. Army Pacific and his wife Dr. Carol Brooks; Command Sgt. Maj. Bryant C. Lambert, command sergeant major, USARPAC; Maj. Gen Mark Dillon, vice-commander, U.S. Pacific Air Force, and his wife, Sarah; Maj. Gen Gary M. Hara, USARPAC, deputy commanding general, Army National Guard, and his wife Diane; Command Sgt. Maj. Darris Curry, command sergeant major, 311th Signal Command (Theater); and retired Lt. Gen. Jeffrey A. Remington, former commander, 7th Air Force, PACAF and his wife Machelle.
This year's guest speaker was retired Maj. Gen. Roger F. Matthews, former 94th AAMDC commander, who was inducted as the honorary commander for the 94th Air Defense Artillery Regiment.
"Being here tonight brings back many great memories with my time in the 94th, and later as the USARPAC DCG," said Matthews. "I was truly honored to be asked by General Sanchez [and Command Sgt. Maj. Dodson, current command team for the 94th AAMDC] to speak tonight, and more importantly, to serve as your command's honorary commander of the regiment."
The theme for the ball was "Focus Forward - Looking Back" in recognition of the 10 years of integrated air and missile defense excellence in the Pacific. The 94th AAMDC has provided our nation's "First Line of Defense" since their reactivation at Fort Shafter, Hawaii, Aug. 18, 2005.
Matthews addressed the Soldiers of the 94th AAMDC - "The 94th AAMDC is tasked with supporting and protecting U.S. Pacific Command throughout the Indo-Asian Theater of operations.
"And, in terms of our national interests and defense strategy, the most important region to the United States, and I think we would all agree, the most important region globally to most nations.
"Your support and protection of this region has never been more needed than it is now."
The annual dinner recognizes Soldiers for their accomplishments by inducting them into the Order of St. Barbara, an honorary society of Army and Marine Corps artillerymen/women.
St. Barbara - whose father was killed by lightning after he executed her for becoming a Christian - was adopted as the patron saint of artillerymen during the late middle ages. The first cannoneers would appeal to her to protect them from having their own guns blow up.
Spouses are also recognized for their contributions and support by induction into the Honorable Order of Molly Pitcher.
The order honors "Molly Pitcher," whose real name was Mary Ludwig Hays McCauley. She got her nickname by bringing pitcher after pitcher of cool spring water to the men in her husband's artillery battery during the Revolutionary War. When her husband fell wounded at the Battle of Monmouth, she stepped up and took his place loading the cannon.
At this year's St. Barbara's Day Ball - 14 Soldiers and two spouses of the 94th AAMDC family were recognized:
Master Sgt. Jason L. Bonds, intelligence section (G-2) sergeant major;
Maj. Tanya L. Burke of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, intelligence section (G-2) plans chief;
Maj. Christopher L, Carter of Knoxville, Tennessee, personnel section (G-1) deputy assistant chief of staff;
Sgt. 1st Class Jared F. English of Los Angeles, operations section (G-3), operations sergeant;
Capt. Spencer K. Farmer, operations section (G-3), future operations planner;
Maj. Troy S. Frey of Olivehurst, California, public affairs officer;
Sgt. 1st Class Jaquetta Gooden of San Diego, public affairs operations chief;
Sgt. 1st Class Jessica L. Hamilton of Mulvane, Kansas, sensor manager noncommissioned officer-in-charge;
Capt. Joshua P. Scheel of La Crosse, Wisconsin, command judge advocate;
Capt. Jeffrey A. Scott of Pittsburg, Kansas, commander, headquarters and headquarters battery;
Staff Sgt. Randolph W. Scott, operations section (G-3), operations sergeant;
Chief Warrant Officer 2 Christopher L. Staffa of Poughkeepsie, New York, intelligence section (G-2), theater ballistic missile analyst;
Master Sgt. Sean C. Tyndall of New York, New York, chief paralegal noncommissioned officer.
Ritela Sproule, wife of Sgt. Maj. Dale M. Sproule, communications section (G-6) sergeant major;
Candace Wilson, wife of Sgt. Eric L. Wilson, operations section (G-3), protection cell sergeant.
"Induction into the Order of St. Barbara distinguishes you as someone who is with us for the long haul and is ahead of the rest of the pack," explained Matthews. "And in the same way, we recognize great spouses tonight with the Molly Pitcher Award who have also provided this same leadership and example ... Thank you for your unwavering support and strength you give to our troops and units."
The dinner is not just about awards or the history of St. Barbara, it is also about the ongoing fellowship of those who have served, are serving and those that will serve in the future.
"The St. Barbara's Day Ball demonstrates the foundations of artillery," stated Sgt. Craig J. Moton, schools noncommissioned officer, 94th AAMDC. "It excites me to know that the same qualities that St. Barbara displayed are being displayed by members of this unit. This makes our unit second to none!"
Everyone at the ball enjoyed the festivities and the camaraderie.
"It affords the unit the opportunity to take one night for ourselves," shared 1st Lt. Gabrielle Tally, personnel officer, personnel section (G-1), 94th AAMDC. "One night away from work, with the people we love, celebrating how truly awesome this unit and its Soldiers are."
Throughout the evening, the guests were part of a special event that included the posting of the colors; the invocation by the chaplain; the traditional toasts; the Prisoners of War / Missing in Action Remembrance; the Grog Bowl Video and Ceremony; the St. Barbara's Day Awards Ceremony; and the closing ceremony.
The one constant throughout the night was the professionalism displayed by the Sea Dragons.
Matthews ended his speech by sharing the following insight about the importance of the 94th AAMDC mission.
"Because of your example and professionalism, the 94th AAMDC provides the relevant and ready, proven tactical ballistic missile defense so desperately needed.
"And for the rest of us, just as those we have honored tonight who are focused on being the very best they could possibly be, I ask each of you to focus your efforts on staying ready and staying 'Focused Forward!'"
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