FORT SHAFTER, Hawaii -- For the second consecutive year, the 8th Theater Sustainment Command and the 25th Infantry Division represented the U.S Army-Pacific at the 57th Association of the U.S. Army's 2011 Annual Meeting and Exposition, in Washington, Oct. 10-12.
"The purpose of the 8th TSC's attendance was to broadcast our capabilities and show what the 8th TSC is all about," said Sgt. Maj. Lisa Williams, operations sergeant major, 8th TSC. "It was an opportunity to get our name out there, because we are a fairly young organization. We were able to show everyone what we do within the Pacific theater."
All four of USARPAC's theater arenas were represented: Hawaii, Alaska, Korea and Japan. Representatives performed special cultural demonstrations to wow the crowd and promote their units. Korea brought its traveling Tai Kwon Do team, Alaska presented a slideshow, Japan provided a sword demonstration and 8th TSC showcased Hawaiian music with traditional hula dancers.
"It was a great show and a great opportunity," Williams said. "This was my first time to (go to) the AUSA, and it was a little overwhelming, but a lot of fun."
Using 703,000 square feet of display space, the AUSA annual meeting is one of the largest land/warfare expositions and professional development forums in the world.
The meeting consists of informative presentations, panel discussions on pertinent military and national security subjects, workshops and important AUSA business meetings. This year's three-day event included more than 600 industry and military exhibits.
Secretary of the Army John McHugh and Army Chief of Staff Raymond Odierno, along with other senior Army and Department of Defense representatives, gave presentations on the state of the Army and related defense subjects.
Each year, more than 38,000 attendees, including senior leaders from the Army, DOD, Congress and foreign dignitaries, participate in the event. The conference provides a unique opportunity to showcase defense industry products and services to key decision makers, discover new developments in defense technology and meet with colleagues from the worldwide defense community.
The theme for this year's conference was "Perseverance."
"Our Army has exhibited this quality time and time again, after 236 years of service to this great nation, as it confronted the numerous challenges that faced it," said retired Gen. Gordon Sullivan, president and chief operating officer, AUSA.
During the conference's opening ceremony, McHugh mentioned current issues, including the economy and defense budget. He spoke of tough times ahead, but commended the AUSA's commitment to the "young men and women of the U.S. Army who committed and re-committed themselves to defending this great nation after the attacks on our shores."
McHugh concluded, "Thank you for your partnership in the path ahead. Thank you for all that you've done in support of these amazing men and women in uniform and their families. God bless America, and God bless this incredible Army that keeps it safe."
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