Army Reserve's 99th RSC honors veterans past, present

By Mr. Shawn Morris (99th RSC)May 17, 2017

Veterans honored at dining out event
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Maj. Gen. Troy. D. Kok, commanding general for the U.S. Army Reserve's 99th Regional Support Command, greets a veteran May 12 during the 99th RSC's dining out on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey. The theme of the event was "Veterans: Then... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Veterans honored at dining out event
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Spc. Aaron Chavers (left) and John Ruszkai (second from right), a World War II veteran, help cut the cake May 12 during the U.S. Army Reserve's 99th Regional Support Command dining out on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey. The theme of the... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- The modern-era Humvee and World War II-vintage jeep parked outside the entrance to Doughboy Gym here May 12 provided the perfect visual representation of the event taking place just beyond the facility's doors.

"Veterans: Then and Now" was the theme of the U.S. Army Reserve's 99th Regional Support Command Dining-Out event hosted that evening by Maj. Gen. Troy D. Kok, 99th RSC commanding general.

"Tonight is all about our veterans and their selfless service," Kok said to nearly 400 service members, family members, veterans and other guests attending the event.

"Whether you served in uniform, or whether you served as a civilian -- you in this room are what it's all about tonight," he continued. "It is you in this room who protect us from those who would do us harm; it is you in this room who protect our freedoms and keep us safe; and it is an honor and a pleasure to be here with you tonight."

Along with service members from all branches and components, veterans serving as far back as World War II were bused to the event from the New Jersey veterans' homes in Vineland and Menlo Park.

"Less than one percent of our great nation serves in the military," Kok said. "I honor you all for your continued service."

Special guests at the event included New Jersey Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno, Mr. Robert J. Maguire, civilian aide to the Secretary of the Army for New Jersey, Chief Warrant Officer Five Russell P. Smith, U.S. Army Reserve command chief warrant officer, and Air Force Col. Frederick Thaden, JBMDL commander.

The 99th RSC is headquartered here and provides facilities, logistics and administrative support to 44,000 Army Reserve Soldiers throughout the 13-state northeast region in order to achieve and sustain levels of USAR materiel, training and personnel readiness that ensures the most capable, lethal force in the history of the U.S.

To learn more about the 99th RSC, visit www.usar.army.mil/99thRSC.

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Army Reserve's 99th RSC honors veterans past, present