Page 4 January 8, 2009REVEILLE (CS) January 8, 2009 Page 9 REVEILLE (CS)

BY SGT. MICHAEL WILLIAMSCSJFTC PA

A retirement ceremony was recently held for Master Sgt.Robert Wilson, a native of Ocean Springs, as he decided toend his military career after more than 36 years of service.

“I really don't know what I am going to do,” said Wilson,who is the senior personnel management supervisor withthe Directorate of Personnel Community Activities (DPCA)at Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center (CSJFTC).“It's kind of hard to accept that I really got this old.”

Wilson joined the Army on Nov. 27, 1968, serving a tour

in Vietnam as a combat medic and later serving in Englandand Germany. He later joined the MSARNG in 1987 as adata analysis specialist.

During the ceremony, CSJFTC Commander Col. EarnieShows awarded him the Meritorious Service Medal (MSM)and the Mississippi Magnolia Cross and presented him witha certificate of appreciation.

Retirement signals the start of an exciting new phase oflife, filled with opportunities to travel and that's whatWilson is planning on doing.

“When I am out on those great motorcycle roads out

west, I will definitely be thinking of you all,” Wilson said.“There are a lot of friends I will be leaving behind and

there are some that have gone ahead of me, but what makesit unique is all of it is based on mutual admiration. I havemet a lot of people that have had a profound and positiveimpact and the outlook on my life.”

Some of Wilson’s additional federal decorations includethe Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with PalmDevice, National Defense Medal and many more.

Photos by Sgt. Michael Williams, CSJFTC PA

At left, Master Sgt. Robert Wilson receives the Meritorious Service Medal (MSM) from Col. Earnest Shows, CSJFTC commander, during his retirement ceremony. Right,Wilson, right, shakes hands with 1Lt. David Lowery after Wilson received the MSM and the Mississippi Magnolia Cross

MSG Robert Wilson retires after 36 years of service

HOLIDAY BREAKFAST – Above, Sgt. 1st Class EssieGraves from Prentiss and Staff Sgt. Jerry Hickman fromLouisville help themselves to breakfast. Center, Sgt. LarryIngram came in to enjoy the holiday goodies. Right, MSGLinda Marble and Chief Warrant Officer 3 Ginger Smithprepare and serve breakfast. Photos by Dana Elise Smith, CSJFTC

PA

Soldiers make resolutions just like everybody elseBY SGT. KENNY HATTENCSJFTC PA

The year 2008 has come and gone, andthe New Year is officially underway. Acrossthe country, pots of black-eyed peas andcabbage were cookedfor that traditional“good luck” meal at thebeginning of the NewYear, and New Year'sresolutions were beingmade with the best ofintentions.

The concept of theNew Year's resolution isnot new. According tohistorians, the traditionof the resolution was created by theBabylonians 4,000 years ago. The first dayof the year for this ancient civilization wasMarch 23 and one of its popular resolutionswas to return something borrowed from afriend during the previous year.

Today, the majority of New Year's reso-

lutions deal with issuessuch as health and fit-ness, personal develop-ment or financialresponsibility.

•••••“My goal this year is

to spend more time withmy children.” –Maj.Fred Sullivan,Operations Officer forthe CSJFTC Directorateof Logistics (DOL).

•••••“I'm going to strive

to do better at every-thing I have to do.”–Spc. HermanHoward, Jr., CustomerService representativeat CSJFTC Finance.

•••••“My resolution is to do my part to help

make sure we all comehome safe at the end ofour tour.” –Sgt. JamesC. Vipperman, Jr.,276th EngineerBattalion.

•••••“My New Years

Resolution is to learn athird language, mainlySpanish. For the nextfour years, I want tomaster Japanese andSpanish.” –CanadianArmy Reserve Cpl.Nancy Vincent,Commanding SupportCapacity (CSC)

•••••“My News Years

Resolution is a recurringone. For the New Year, I

will try not to get a parking ticket. Also, Iwant to get in better shape by going to the

gym.” –Canadian ArmyReserve Cpl. Elton Lee,51st Field Ambulance

•••••“I am going to study

and work harder and myintent for the New Yearis to become a policeo f f i c e r. ” – C a n a d i a nArmy Reserve Pvt.Raphael Roberge,Communications

•••••“I want to be in bet-

ter physical shape andtaking care of my per-sonal health and spend-ing more personal andsocial time with others.”–Canadian Army

Reserve Cpl. JonathanSimard-Brodeur, 51st

Service Battalion.

Spc. H. Howard

Sgt. J. Vipperman

Cpl. Elton Lee

Cpl. N. Vincent Pvt. R. Roberge

Maj. Fred Sullivan

Sp. Brodeur

White House holiday receptionBY SGT. KENNY HATTENCSJFTC PA

The White House at Camp Shelby JointForces Training Center (CSJFTC) recentlyopened its doors to guests and staff mem-bers during the annual Open House eventhosted by the Mississippi National Guard'sAdjutant General, Major General WilliamFreeman, Jr.

Freeman personally greeted each guestas they entered the White House, and direct-ed them to the refreshment tables, wherethey gathered to enjoy punch, cookies andgood conversation.

The house was decorated in keepingwith the season, with red, white and blue-themed Christmas ornaments on the holidaytree and Uncle Sam-inspired “nutcracker”

figurines standing guardover the refreshments.

“This is a beautifulplace to enjoy the holi-days,” said Maj. FredSullivan, of the CSJFTCDirectorate of Logistics.“I think that just beingable to come up hereand talk to our leader-ship and share this timewith them is a greatthing.”

The Open House hasbecome a holiday tradi-tion at Camp Shelby,and is a great opportuni-

ty for leaders and Soldiers alike to share thespirit of the holidays.

At top, Sgt. Vanessa Snodgrass, left, and StaffSgt. Joyce McCullum enjoy punch and cook-ies. Above, Maj. Gen. Freeman talks to seniorCSJFTC leaders. Bottom center, Lt. Col. BradSmith, Lt. Col. David Williams, and Col. BobbyThornton, share a laugh with Tammy Showsand Dixie Thornton. Photos by Sgt. Kenny Hatten,

From left, the Mississippi National Guard's Adjutant General (TAG), Maj. Gen. WilliamFreeman, Jr. and CSJFTC Installation Commander Col. Earnest Shows, center, greetguests as they arrive at the Camp Shelby White House.

Maj. Gen. William Freeman, right, talks to Maj. FredSullivan, Sgt. Lynn Young and Sgt. JosephHalmstead.