Army Reserve bids farewell to 400 years of combined service

FORT SHERIDAN, Ill. - The Army Reserve's Great Lakes Training Division, 75th Training Command, held a retirement ceremony, May 15, 2016, honoring 13 of their soldiers with a combined 400 years of service.

The two-hour ceremony was held at the Fort Sheridan Army Reserve center with Brig. Gen. John F. Hussey, Commanding General, Great Lakes Training Division, presiding over the ceremony.

Hussey gave personal remarks to each of the 13 retirees and said that it was because of their families that soldiers are able do what they do.

"It's not just the thirteen soldiers. It's the families committed to this nation," said Hussey. "We don't just recruit soldiers, we recruit families."

Each retiree received an opportunity to give their final remarks with many leading to emotional speeches. They shared their individual military histories, the sacrifices that their families gave in support of their service, and they shared what they will miss most about the Army.

Immediately following a presentation of awards, a flag folding ceremony was conducted and each retiree received an American flag from Hussey and a final salute.

"Since nine-eleven, this has been called the next greatest generation. They have answered the call with multiple deployments. It's important to pay homage and say thank you."

The 75th TC provides specialized training to units deploying to Iraq, Afghanistan, Kosovo, Horn of Africa, and other locations throughout the world. Currently the 75th TC is operating around the clock at numerous training and mobilization sites to prepare soldiers for deployments to the current theater of operations.