FORT CAMPBELL, Ky.- The 101st Combat Aviation Brigade, 101st Airborne Division here paid tribute to its history by appointing new honorary members of the regiment during a ceremony at Fort Campbell Friday.
"The primary mission of these special appointees is to perpetuate the history and traditions of the regiment, thereby enhancing unit morale and esprit," said Brigade Commander Col. William Gayler. "Additionally, they provide a link to past generations of aviation Soldiers and their enormous contributions to this Division and our Army."
Retired Col. Ted Crozier, outgoing honorary colonel of the regiment for 15 years, attended the ceremony.
"On behalf of all the Soldiers of the Destiny Brigade, we want you to know that your place in our history stands alone, and we are grateful and humbled by your service to our Soldiers and our Army," Gayler said to Crozier during the ceremony. "Today we formally recognize their place in our history and codify their position in the Regiment."
New appointees are:
Retired Army Col. Tom Denney, honorary colonel of the regiment, served a distinguished 28 years as an Army aviator. He formed the Army's Attack Helicopter Battalion for 101st, known as 1st Battalion, 101st Combat Aviation Brigade.
Retired Command Sgt. Maj. Joe Moodt, honorary sergeant major of the regiment, served as 1st Bn., 101st CAB command sergeant major as recently as 2004, as well as the brigade operations sergeant major.
Retired Chief Warrant Officer 5 Al Jaroch, honorary warrant officer of the regiment, served 30 years in the Army; the last 10 of those years were spent as a standardization instructor pilot for 101st CAB.
"The brigade thanks you for continuing your lineage with the regiment you served so faithfully while in uniform, and making us better at what we do... helping us bridge the gap between the past and present while preserving the great history of this organization," Gayler said.
The 101st CAB commander said the brigade will send its first Screaming Eagle Soldiers to Afghanistan beginning for the unit's fourth combat tour since 2003. "The soldiers standing before you, and those they represent, are trained and ready to execute their wartime mission, and are eager to add another chapter to our history," he said.
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