Annual Legion of Merit event returns to U.S. Army Europe

By Sgt. 1st Class Patricia DealMarch 20, 2017

Legion of Merit
1 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Attendees at the U.S. Army Europe Legion of Merit meeting discuss current security efforts in the theater during a briefing at the Legion of Merit event here March 15-16. The annual meeting recognizes military leaders from allied and partner nations ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Legion of Merit
2 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges, commander of U.S. Army Europe, addresses attendees at the Legion of Merit meeting here March 15-16. Hodges told the military leaders from allied and partner nations who attended that this year's event is about knocking down walls... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Legion of Merit
3 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges, commander of U.S. Army Europe, presents the Legion of Merit medal to Maj. Gen. Almantas Leika, Lithuanian Land Forces commander, during the Legion of Merit event here for his exceptionally meritorious conduct while working with t... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Legion of Merit
4 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges, commander of U.S. Army Europe, presents the Legion of Merit medal to German Brig. Gen. Eckart Klink, commander of the Landeskommandos Hessen, for his exceptionally meritorious conduct while working with the U.S. military. The LOM... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Legion of Merit
5 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Attendees at the U.S. Army Europe Legion of Merit event pose outside the headquarters building at the end of the meeting here March 16. After a few years' hiatus, U.S. Army Europe Commander Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges reinstated the annual event after recogn... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

WIESBADEN, Germany -- In the spirit of promoting unity and cooperation, U.S. Army Europe hosted its Legion of Merit event here March 15-16, resurrecting the concept of bringing key military leaders from partner nations together for frank discussions on current security efforts in the theater and potential future challenges.

The annual event, a long standing tradition for more than 30 years in U.S. Army Europe, recognizes military leaders from allied and partner nations who have been presented the U.S. Army Legion of Merit medal. It also serves as an open forum for those professionals to share their expertise and experience with U.S. Army Europe leaders.

While there has been a gap in between meetings, Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges, commander of U.S. Army Europe, said that 2017 is the ideal time to bring it back on line.

"This is our 'Year of Execution,' where we implement the transformation of the NATO alliance from assurance to deterrence," Hodges said, as he opened the event. "What we're trying to do in U.S. Army Europe is to be in the fabric of NATO. We expect to be involved in anything the alliance does, as well as any possible coalition operations. From bringing the tanks back to Germany to large scale, multi-national, multi-component exercises, U.S. Army Europe's focus is to provide the impetus and participate in a way that deepens the relationship with our partners and strengthens the alliance."

Hodges told attendees that this year's event is about knocking down walls to share information and intelligence, working on communications interoperability and strengthening partnerships.

"What we want to accomplish is to give you a deeper understanding about what's actually going on--100 percent clarity and visibility on exactly what we're trying to do as your partner, ally and neighbor," he said. "The other side to that is, with the wealth of valuable knowledge that is collected here, I ask that you provide your coaching, counsel, and perspective on how we can be as effective as possible."

Also as part of the event, Hodges presented LOM medals to Maj. Gen. Almantas Leika, Lithuanian Land Forces commander and to German Brig. Gen. Eckart Klink, commander of the Landeskommandos Hessen, for their exceptionally meritorious conduct while working with the U.S. military.

"The LOM is a sign of respect," Hodges said. "We've been on operations together, fought together and exercised together. This is one way we can recognize our allies for their efforts."

The LOM is the first U.S. decoration created specifically for award to citizens of other nations. Since it was established by an Act of Congress in July 1942, it has since been presented to thousands of U.S. allies and partners from more than 30 countries.

"It is a great honor to receive the LOM. It recognizes the hard work and eservice of not just me, but my entire team of leaders and soldiers who work steadfastly alongside the U.S. Army Soldiers deployed to Lithuania," Leika said. "This is a very valuable meeting, as it is an opportunity for military leaders from different nations to come together and discuss among ourselves current topics and issues. It gives us a better understanding of each other's thinking and priorities so we can carry on the mission to help ensure stability in the region."

Lt. Gen. Carsten Jacobson, Vice Chief of Staff, German Land Forces, who has attended previous LOM events, echoed Leika's comments on the merits of such a forum.

"The LOM format brings together people from totally different backgrounds and different nationalities and allows us to have very fruitful discussions which is hugely helpful in tackling the challenges of the present. It brings out a huge number of important questions such as where are we now, how will we proceed and how do we best integrate the efforts of U.S. Army Europe to the common purpose that we have," Jacobson said.

He added that he was pleased that General Hodges brought the event back.

"To have so many participants from partner nations who have received the LOM, and to have new partner nations such as Lithuania be a part of the meeting, is an excellent sign of how the organization is structured and the direction it can extend to," he said.

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