Fort Bliss Monitor

NCO Academy names classroom after fallen commandant

Dieter Jester
Public Affairs Office

Lennie Blankenbecler getting her first glimpse of the “wall of honor” dedicated to her late husband Command Sgt. Maj. James D. Blankenbecler following a classroom dedication ceremony.

Members of the Fort Bliss Noncommissioned Officers Academy conducted a dedication ceremony Friday. In the ceremony one of its classrooms was named in honor of the late Command Sgt. Maj. James D. Blanken-becler, 1-44 Air Defense Artillery.

Blankenbecler was killed in Samarra, Iraq, Oct. 1, 2003, when his Humvee was hit by a rocket propelled grenade and an improvised explosive de-vice.

The emotion-filled dedication ceremony was conducted in the NCO Academy classroom 185 which now contains memorabilia from the late command sergeant major. Blanken-becler had served as the Chief of the Basic Noncommissioned Officer Course at the academy.

Guests of the event included Blankenbecler’s widow Lennie, along with the couple’s children Amanda, Joseph and Jessica. The room was filled to capacity, with more than 130 in attendance representing nearly all units at Fort Bliss.

The ceremony began with a welcome, the National Anthem, an invocation from Fort Bliss Chaplain Fred Hudson, the Soldiers Poem, a slide show presentation which depicted the life of Blankenbecler as a husband, father, Soldier and warrior, followed with remarks from friends and fellow Soldiers.

All of the comments presented attested to the professionalism, soldierly image and no nonsense, meet the standard, attitude possessed by Blanken-becler. First to deliver remarks was Capt. Mark Gunter, 1-44 ADA, who told of his relationship that goes back to when they were both NCO’s.

Blankenbeckler once told me, “meeting standards is what we live by,” Gunter said “I remember that to this day.”

Command Sgt. Maj. Phillip Rowland, 108th ADA Brigade, referred to the event as “a special time to talk about a great friend … he was a remarkable human being … made major contributions to Soldiers and the U.S. Army.”

Next, Command Sgt. Maj. Kevin McGovern, 5-52 ADA, delivered some emotional remarks in a choking voice. “Jim was many things, father, Soldier, husband and I can feel the pride calling him a friend … he taught me patience, humility and patriotism … he never sought recognition, but always praised his Soldiers,” said McGovern.

Command Sgt. Maj. Rich Clem, 3-43 ADA, said, “He [Blankenbecler] was articulate in every single thing he did…and was a professional proud Soldier always ready to provide assistance and teach.”
Command Sgt. Maj. Chet Allen, NCO Academy, said he was “privileged and honored to be part of this dedication.”

Last to speak was Lt. Col. Rich Starkey, office chief Air Defense Artillery, former commander of 1-44 ADA and Blankenbecler’s battle buddy. “He had a huge impact in a short period of time … he was good, strong…a total Soldier and leader … involved in everything the battalion needed to do.”

During Blankenbecler’s Army career he earned numerous awards including the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, Kuwaiti Liberation Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal and Global War on Terrorism.

The classroom dedication ceremony came to a close when Blankenbecler family members removed a large black drape uncovering a “wall of honor” for the fallen command sergeant major. The wall includes photographs, dress blue uniform, awards and much more.

Based on his love for Soldiers, professionalism, training to standard, leadership abilities, mentoring, coaching and training — Blankenbecler shall be missed by his Soldiers, peers, superiors and the U.S. Army.



www.bliss.army.mil	Published for the Fort Bliss/El Paso, Texas Community	October 7, 2004

<map name="boxmap-b4"> <area shape="rect" coords="0, 589, 120, 600" href="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm/privacy-policy.html?o=1" > <area coords="0,0,10000,10000" href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect?tag=&creative=92501&camp=8117&link_code=dl1&path=subst/misc/amazon-cobrand-cc/v3/marketing-from-associates-step1.html/ref%3Db1_assoc_29" > </map>	NCO Academy names classroom after fallen commandant Dieter Jester Public Affairs Office Lennie Blankenbecler getting her first glimpse of the “wall of honor” dedicated to her late husband Command Sgt. Maj. James D. Blankenbecler following a classroom dedication ceremony. Members of the Fort Bliss Noncommissioned Officers Academy conducted a dedication ceremony Friday. In the ceremony one of its classrooms was named in honor of the late Command Sgt. Maj. James D. Blanken-becler, 1-44 Air Defense Artillery. Blankenbecler was killed in Samarra, Iraq, Oct. 1, 2003, when his Humvee was hit by a rocket propelled grenade and an improvised explosive de-vice. The emotion-filled dedication ceremony was conducted in the NCO Academy classroom 185 which now contains memorabilia from the late command sergeant major. Blanken-becler had served as the Chief of the Basic Noncommissioned Officer Course at the academy. Guests of the event included Blankenbecler’s widow Lennie, along with the couple’s children Amanda, Joseph and Jessica. The room was filled to capacity, with more than 130 in attendance representing nearly all units at Fort Bliss. The ceremony began with a welcome, the National Anthem, an invocation from Fort Bliss Chaplain Fred Hudson, the Soldiers Poem, a slide show presentation which depicted the life of Blankenbecler as a husband, father, Soldier and warrior, followed with remarks from friends and fellow Soldiers. All of the comments presented attested to the professionalism, soldierly image and no nonsense, meet the standard, attitude possessed by Blanken-becler. First to deliver remarks was Capt. Mark Gunter, 1-44 ADA, who told of his relationship that goes back to when they were both NCO’s. Blankenbeckler once told me, “meeting standards is what we live by,” Gunter said “I remember that to this day.” Command Sgt. Maj. Phillip Rowland, 108th ADA Brigade, referred to the event as “a special time to talk about a great friend … he was a remarkable human being … made major contributions to Soldiers and the U.S. Army.” Next, Command Sgt. Maj. Kevin McGovern, 5-52 ADA, delivered some emotional remarks in a choking voice. “Jim was many things, father, Soldier, husband and I can feel the pride calling him a friend … he taught me patience, humility and patriotism … he never sought recognition, but always praised his Soldiers,” said McGovern. Command Sgt. Maj. Rich Clem, 3-43 ADA, said, “He [Blankenbecler] was articulate in every single thing he did…and was a professional proud Soldier always ready to provide assistance and teach.” Command Sgt. Maj. Chet Allen, NCO Academy, said he was “privileged and honored to be part of this dedication.” Last to speak was Lt. Col. Rich Starkey, office chief Air Defense Artillery, former commander of 1-44 ADA and Blankenbecler’s battle buddy. “He had a huge impact in a short period of time … he was good, strong…a total Soldier and leader … involved in everything the battalion needed to do.” During Blankenbecler’s Army career he earned numerous awards including the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, Kuwaiti Liberation Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal and Global War on Terrorism. The classroom dedication ceremony came to a close when Blankenbecler family members removed a large black drape uncovering a “wall of honor” for the fallen command sergeant major. The wall includes photographs, dress blue uniform, awards and much more. Based on his love for Soldiers, professionalism, training to standard, leadership abilities, mentoring, coaching and training — Blankenbecler shall be missed by his Soldiers, peers, superiors and the U.S. Army.