JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. - Thirteen soldiers and airmen from I Corps, 7th Infantry Division and its subordinate units and other unit entities from Joint Base Lewis-McChord were formally recognized for their hard work, dedication and demonstrated professionalism in improving the readiness of I Corps and the JBLM community, March 22, at the Cascade Club.
Lt. Gen. Robert B. Brown, commanding general of I Corps, said these soldiers - including Sgt. 1st Class Curtis A. James from 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division - were chosen above their peers to be honored at the first of what is slated to become a quarterly, post wide recognition ceremony.
The event was presided over by Brown and Command Sgt. Maj. John W. Troxell, I Corps command sergeant major.
"This is about celebrating," said Brown. "We're not that great, as a military, of occasionally patting ourselves on the back and saying 'job well done.' Every now and then ... we'd like to recognize those folks out there that are working hard."
Brown presented a commander's coin to James for his service as the rear detachment First Sergeant of 1-23 Inf. Reg., during which time he volunteered numerous hours to research and preserve historical artifacts related to three battalions of the 23rd Infantry Regiment serving at JBLM.
However, according to the 1-23 Inf. Battalion command sergeant major, Command Sgt. Maj. Eric C. Volk, James was recommended for accomplishing much more than that.
"On top of that, the three major things we recommended him for [were that] he volunteered to stay in the Army a little longer to take care of our rear detachment, so he was taking care of all our families during the deployment; and taking care of our soldiers coming back that were wounded and processing out of the Army," Volk explained. "He put [his own medical evaluation board] on hold to take care of the battalion. That's selfless service right there."
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