T. Anthony Bell
Senior Writer/Special Projects
FORT GREGG-ADAMs, Va. – Poetry, uniform tributes and speeches marked the Army Heritage Month event Thursday at the Beaty Theater.
AHM is an Equal Opportunity Program event recognizing the service and sacrifices of a diverse Army and its history of defending national interests. AHM was implemented in 2019.
Brig. Gen. Michel B. Lalor, Chief of Ordnance, was among those present for the event. Sydney A. Smith and Command Sgt. Maj. Oscar Llamas, president and senior enlisted advisor for Army Sustainment University, respectively, were also in attendance as well as Col. James Hoyman, Garrison commander.
The program, sponsored by the Army Sustainment University, featured retired Chief Warrant Officer 5 David Williams as the guest speaker. Williams was first Army Staff Senior Warrant Officer. The former aviator, who spent nearly 40 years in the Army, talked about the institution’s heritage, Soldiers’ contributions to the Army mission, its progression and requirements to sustain its success.
“The United States Army is one of the most respected institutions in our republic,” he said, “but we cannot rest on our laurels. This is America’s Army, but the American people will not provide unwavering trust and support. It must be continuously earned. We can uphold that trust by our actions of excellence.”
Also, during his speech, Williams also talked about the oaths of office and enlistment and its purpose of affirming Soldiers to the cause.
“One purpose of the oath of office is to remind us – including all federal workers – that we do not swear allegiance to a leader, a supervisor, an agency, a political appointee or even the president,” he said. “The oath is to support and defend the Constitution and faithfully execute those duties.”
Williams urged Soldiers to not only remember their allegiance but to execute their duties to the best of their abilities, as it was told to him by a command sergeant major.
“He simply stated, ‘You wake up each and every day, give it a hundred percent and live the Army values.’”
Prior to Williams’ speech, 14-year-old Alycia Porter recited a poem she dedicated to Soldiers and their service. Her mother, Chief Warrant Officer 4 Asha Porter, assigned to ASU was an inspiration.
“I’ve always looked up to her,” said the Prince George High School student. “When she asked me to write a poem, I said, ‘I got you.’”
The event also featured a chronological Army uniform display, showing the various outfits over the years.
“We’ve always celebrated the Army’s birthday in June. However, this is only the fourth year since Army Heritage Month was added to the Army’s military Equal Opportunity Program calendar of observances,” Chief Warrant Officer 4 Porter said.
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