By Elizabeth Glenn
U.S. Army Sustainment Command Public Affairs
ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL, Ill. – A retirement ceremony honoring five Soldiers with a combined 115 years of military service, including a Beaufort, S.C., native, was held June 9 at Heritage Hall.
Maj. Gen. Jeffrey Jurasek, deputy commanding general (Support), First U.S. Army, hosted the ceremony which recognized the service of Beaufort’s 1st Sgt. Gregory Werthmann, battery first sergeant, Delta 1st Battalion-40th Field Artillery Regiment (20 years), along with the service of Lt. Col. Anthony Stoeger, chief of Operations, G3 (Operations), U.S. Army Sustainment Command (27 years); Sgt. 1st Class Corinna Baltos, ASC public affairs non-commissioned officer in charge (20 years); Sgt. 1st Class Joel Ramirez, Military Equal Opportunity (MEO) program manager and senior adviser, First U.S. Army, (28 years); and Staff Sgt. Anthony Clifford, senior quartermaster and chemical equipment repairer, 101st Airborne Division (20 years).
During his remarks, Jurasek addressed the military’s recruiting struggle and how the inspirational careers of the retirees are not only a testament to the service and sacrifices they and their families have made, but also serve as shining examples of what an Army career can provide to individuals.
“I can’t help but think that if every high school or college-aged kid could see the incredible things these five retirees have gotten to do during their time in the Army, they might be moved to embark on their own Army career,” said Jurasek.
To Werthmann, Jurasek said, “No characteristic is more linked to the rank of a first sergeant and the job of drill sergeant than the task of holding people accountable to rigorous, exacting standards that carry life-and-death consequences. This historically has come with some yelling and more than a little colorful language, much of which is utterly unquotable here today. But the truth is that leaders like you have literally shaped and influenced the troops who will follow you. Many people can spend entire careers not making even a fraction of the impact on an organization as you have had on our Total Force.”
Jurasek also thanked the spouses and children of the retirees during his remarks.
“The Army has an axiom that our Soldiers write the checks, but our families pay the bills,” said Jurasek. “I don’t have to tell that to any of you here today. You intimately know each birthday, anniversary, childbirth or holiday your retiree missed. You, too, served all these years.”
