FORT DRUM, N.Y. - Fort Drum community members honored 14 Soldiers with more than 301 years of military service during a retirement ceremony April 30 at the Multipurpose Auditorium.
Congratulating them on their retirement and thanking them for their years of service was Col. John D. Sims, 10th Mountain Division (LI) fire support coordinator.
Sims talked about the Soldiers' commitment to defending America and sacrifices they endured.
"For 20-plus years, you led, inspired, trained and loved Soldiers," he said. "You did this during years of conflict, unpredictable challenge and Family separations. There have been long days and short nights, but you continued to serve when others didn't. No one ordered you to, you volunteered, you gave."
The colonel also thanked Families who supported their Soldiers through the years.
"There is another very important source of pride: your Family," Sims said. "You have a Family who loved, sacrificed and helped sustain you through these years of service. Whether we recognize it or not, none of us does this alone.
"So, as you reflect on your years of service, remember your Family's years of support and sacrifice," he added. "We don't thank them enough because we can't, but we should continue to try. For the sacrifices your Family has made for you, be extremely proud."
The following retiring Soldiers received the Legion of Merit:
*Lt. Col. Kenneth M. Govenettio, Battle Command Training Program, Operations Group-Alpha, retires with more than 22 years of active-duty service. He served overseas in Germany and Korea and during Operations Uphold Democracy, Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. Govenettio will retire in Henderson.
*Command Sgt. Maj. Wayne M. Ward, 6th Squadron, 6th Cavalry Regiment, 10th Combat Aviation Brigade, retires with more than 23 years of active-duty service. He served overseas in Korea and Alaska and during Operations Desert Storm / Desert Shield, Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. Ward will retire in Gouverneur.
The following retiring Soldiers each received the Meritorious Service Medal:
*Master Sgt. Isaac Alexis III, 10th Mountain Division Special Troops Battalion, retires with more than 20 years of active-duty service. He served overseas in Hawaii and Korea and during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Alexis will retire in Houston.
*Master Sgt. Tracy L. Warren, 10th Sustainment Brigade Troops Battalion, retires with more than 22 years of active-duty service. She served overseas in Germany and during Operations Desert Storm / Desert Shield, Joint Guard, Joint Forge and Iraqi Freedom. Warren will retire in Norfolk, Va.
*Sgt. 1st Class Robert F. Beimel, 3rd Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, retires with more than 23 years of active-duty service. He served overseas in Germany and Korea and during Operations Desert Shield / Desert Storm, Uphold Democracy and Enduring Freedom. Beimel will retire in Watertown.
*Sgt. 1st Class Rodney W. Brundige, 3rd Battalion, 85th Infantry Regiment, retires with more than 20 years of active-duty service. He served overseas in Alaska and Korea and during Operation Enduring Freedom. Brundige will retire in Depauville.
*Sgt. 1st Class Daniel J. Greene, Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 10th Mountain Division (LI), retires with more than 20 years of active-duty service. He served overseas in Korea and during Operations Desert Storm / Desert Shield, Restore Hope and Iraqi Freedom. Greene will retire in Mesa, Ariz.
*Sgt. 1st Class Michael P. Jackson, 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 2nd BCT, retires with more than 20 years of active-duty service. He served overseas in Alaska, Korea and Qatar. Jackson will retire in Muskegon, Mich.
*Sgt. 1st Class David R. MacEwen, Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 10th Mountain Division, retires with more than 25 years of active-duty service. He served overseas in Italy, Alaska, Korea and Egypt and during Operations Desert Shield / Desert Storm, Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. MacEwen will retire in Deferiet.
*Sgt. 1st Class Terence A. Watson, 3rd General Support Aviation Battalion, 10th CAB, retires with more than 22 years of active-duty service. He served overseas in Germany and Korea and during Operations Continue Hope, Uphold Democracy, Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. Watson will retire in Watertown.
*Staff Sgt. Sybil F. Allen, 2nd Battalion, 10th Aviation Regiment, 10th CAB, retires with more than 20 years of active-duty service. She served overseas in Germany and during Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. Allen will retire in Greenville, S.C.
*Staff Sgt. Adam E. Parthemore Sr., 3rd Squadron, 71st Cavalry Regiment, 3rd BCT, retires with more than 23 years of active-duty service. He served overseas in Korea and during Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. Parthemore will retire in Purvis, Miss.
The following retiring Soldiers each received the Army Commendation Medal:
*Sgt. 1st Class Charles D. Madison, 548th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 10th Sustainment Brigade, retires with more than 21 years of active-duty service. He served overseas in Germany, Hungary, Croatia and Korea and during Operation Joint Endeavor. Madison will retire in Carthage.
*Sgt. Helgena Johnson, 2-10 Aviation, 10th CAB, retires with more than 20 years of active-duty service. He served overseas in Germany and Korea and during Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. Johnson will retire in Kolonia, Pohnpei, Federal States of Micronesia.
Each retiree also received an Army retirement pin, a U.S. flag and a letter of appreciation from the commanding general.
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