ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL, Ill. -- On this Fourth of July weekend, Soldiers stationed at Rock Island Arsenal, Illinois, reflected on what the commemorative holiday, service and sacrifice mean to them.
Maj. Gen. Kevin O' Connell, U.S. Army Sustainment Command commanding general, shared well wishes in observance of the holiday in a letter sent to ASC personnel.
"Independence Day is better known as the Fourth of July, in honor of the date on which we declared ourselves a free nation founded on the principles of individual rights and liberty," said O' Connell. "Our nation's independence was earned on the battlefield and is today defended by Americans in uniform who carry on the difficult and dangerous work begun by the Continental Army."
Maj. Jamie Simmons, deputy executive officer to the commanding general, ASC, highlighted her family lineage of service as her inspiration.
"My grandfather served in World War II, my father served for 21 years on active duty and then another 15 years as a DA (Department of the Army) Civilian. I love the military and serving in the Armed Forces. I am honored and proud to be able to do so," said Simmons.
To Simmons, the Fourth of July is "a celebration of our nation's independence and a reminder of the sacrifices for freedoms that we defend daily."
During Simmons' 13 year career, she's deployed four times and called her children the most inspiring people in her life.
"They have stood steadfast and strong each time," she began. "They sacrifice daily when I am unable to make it home for dinner, classroom parties, softball games, or other activities because the job calls. They never complain and are always proud of me. They keep me pushing to perform my best."
Sgt. 1st Class James Borchardt, ASC, recalled Fourth of July in Mosul, Iraq, during Operation Iraqi Freedom I, explaining anecdotally, the pride he felt by bringing stability to a disaster in a war-torn region of the world.
"When deployed during OIF I, my unit was mortared in Mosul during the early morning hours of the Fourth of July;" Borchardt said. "I remember running for cover in the bunkers and hearing the sound of the Quick Response Force that consisted of AH-64D, Apache Helicopters overhead. Later that afternoon we continued on with our softball tournament. I remember having this sense of pride and new appreciation of what service members accomplished before me during previous conflicts and wars."
Borchardt explained that sacrifice is necessary to keep the oppressed free of tyranny, quoting John 15:13. "Greater love hath no man than this that a man lay down his life for his friends."
Sgt. 1st Class Michelle Ferguson, Operations Sergeant, ASC, is reminded of the sacrifices behind Fourth of July celebrations.
"When I see the fireworks explode in the sky I picture all the things I've accomplished so far and the opportunities that are yet to come. And every year without failure I wonder about all of the work that went into making a great show for us," Ferguson said.
Ferguson gives pause of gratitude to her deployed comrades when celebrating the American freedom this holiday reminds her of.
"If I'm not deployed [Independence Day] makes me think of all of my brothers and sisters that are away from their families and when I am deployed and get to still celebrate it with my battle buddies I feel the cohesion and gratefulness among us," she said.
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