Armory presence 'blessing' for community, vets assured

Monday, November 11, 2013
The Honor Guard from Greencastle VFW Post 1550 and American Legion Post 58, perform the traditional Veterans Day salute Monday morning.

To many local residents, the versatile Greencastle Armory has long served as a multi-faceted spot for recreational basketball, auctions, smorgasbord dinners, tool sales and even an occasional circus.

Yet it remains its function as a National Guard facility that stands tall -- like the men and women who have trained and served there.

Maj. Jim Staggers, a Greencastle resident and deputy state chaplain for the Indiana National Guard, took time during his address Monday at the local Veterans Day ceremony to pay tribute to both the men and the means of the local Armory.

VFW Commander Roy Giesen struggles to hang onto the American flag as it's whipped around in the brisk wind.

Greencastle and Putnam County are "blessed" to still have such a functioning armory in our midst, Staggers told about 30 residents who braved the cold and biting wind to observe the traditional Veterans Day celebration on the courthouse square.

In fact, the Greencastle Armory is considered the most called-on, most deployed unit in the state, he said.

While most Indiana armories have seen their troops deployed once or twice, he said, many of the soldiers based out of the local armory have been called up multiple times.

"Batteries from within the 2-150th Field Artillery have deployed to Operation Noble Eagle, Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom," Staggers noted. "There are soldiers within the battalion who have deployed upwards of five times."

Throughout the state, however, armories are becoming consolidated as battalion or brigade armories, he said.

"In order to maximize dollars, units that have had trouble maintaining unit strength, community support or if the armory was so run-down that it was not economical to repair, saw their armory closed down and given over to the community," Staggers told the Banner Graphic. "Don't get me wrong, there are still a lot of armories, but it is special here."

Greencastle has such great support of the 2-150th Field Artillery that it remains a battery-level armory, said Staggers, who served as the battalion chaplain 2005-07.

"Additionally," he added, "it has a dedicated strength of soldiers that have deep esprit de corps.

"The blessing of having an armory in Greencastle," Staggers continued, "is that is retains the local flavor of the National Guard. Some in National Guard units serve decades along each other's side, which makes for a cohesive unit. Many are related to each other."

In addressing Veterans Day for the audience Monday, Staggers shunned a traditional theme of focusing on heroic 11th-hour actions of wartime. Instead, he suggested that the "brave actions of our veterans endure in the pages of history."

"Today," Staggers said, "I want us to not only remember their gallantry on the battlefield. We must look at the lasting legacy of strength and service they brought with them when they returned home.

"Just as a nation rallies for the troops in a time a war," he said, "the same country must rally for its veterans during times of peace.

Meanwhile, guest speaker Maj. Jim Staggers addresses both the importance of the local National Guard Armory and the men and woman who have served our country.

"On Veterans Day, the nation stops in silence to pay tribute to the heroes of the battlefield who never see themselves as heroes. To that, I say we owe veterans more than our silence, our memories, our thanks.

And to do that, he said, each of us can encourage businesses to hire a veteran or military family member.

"Soldiers bring exceptional training, values and experience to their civilian jobs," Staggers assured. "The leadership and technical skills developed in the military make us valuable additions to any organization.

"Veterans make exceptional employees in any organization because in serving their country they have acquired invaluable skills."

Some of those include:

* Decision-making skills primed by quick, clear thinking.

* Proven leadership skills, honed in the most challenging operational environments.

* Knowledge and experience needed to be sophisticated team builders and natural team players.

* A work ethic that demonstrates an unwavering commitment to excellence.

"Spread the word," Staggers suggested in conclusion. "If you know of an organization that wants to help veterans, encourage them to register with the National Resource Directory so wounded, ill and injured service members and their families can access information about the services you provide.

"Just remember as we go forth today" the speaker added, "our soldiers are soldiers for life. They are strong and resilient, creative and determined. I am confident this generation will join the remarkable generations of men and women who wore this uniform and left an enduring mark on this nation.

"Let's get out there to work together and ensure our veterans have every opportunity to reach their highest potential. We have some great young men and women counting on us to come through for them and their families.

"Let your words bring forth action," Staggers added, "Think of their service and their sacrifice. Don't just say 'thank you' to our veterans, show it."

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  • I was a member of the National Guard there in Greencastle. Many good memories there.

    -- Posted by donantonioelsabio on Tue, Nov 12, 2013, at 12:56 PM
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