Fort Bliss Monitor

Sgt. Paula Taylor

Maj. Gen. Robert P. Lennox, post commanding general, pins a Legion of Merit on Command Sgt. Maj. Raymond Gould, Special Troops Battalion, while Gould’s wife, Lisa, looks on. The Legion of Merit is only one of two decorations to be issued as a neck order, the other being the Medal of Honor. Gould retired from the Army after more than 22 years of service July 26.

Retirees remembered, honored
for Auld Lang Syne

Sgt. Paula Taylor
4th BCT, 1st Cav. Div. Public Affairs

Nineteen Soldiers were honored at a retirement ceremony Wednesday at the Air Defense Artillery Museum and Fort Bliss Museum.

Among those honored was Command Sgt. Maj. Raymond Gould, Special Troops Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division.

Each honoree received two certificates during the ceremony, which was hosted by Maj. Gen. Robert P. Lennox, post commanding general.

The first was a certificate of retirement, signed by Gen. Peter J. Schoomaker, U.S. Army chief of staff, which read, “This is to certify that these Soldiers, having served faithfully and honorably, have retired from the United States Army.”

The second was a certificate of appreciation, signed by President George W. Bush, which read, “For service in the Armed Forces of the United States, I extend to you my personal thanks and the sincere appreciation of a grateful nation for your contribution of honorable service to our country. You have helped maintain the security of the nation during a critical time in its history with a devotion to duty and a spirit of sacrifice in keeping with the proud traditions of military service. Your commitment and dedication have been an inspiration for those who will follow in your footsteps, and for all Americans who join me today in saluting you for a job extremely well done.”

Also honored during the ceremony for their commitment to the U.S. Army were the spouses of the retirees, who received a certificate of appreciation, signed by Schoomaker. Their certificate read: “This is to certify that the following, on the occasion of the retirement of their spouses from active status with the United States Army, have earned grateful appreciation for their unselfish, faithful and devoted service. Their unfailing support and understanding helped to make possible their spouses’ lasting contribution to the nation.”

Just before the conclusion of the ceremony, the attendees stood and sang Auld Lang Syne, a Scottish song meaning times gone by.

“Should old acquaintance be forgot
And never brought to mind
Should old acquaintance be forgot
And days of Auld Lang Syne …”

After the ceremony, Lennox addressed the 4th BCT troopers and presented Gould with a Legion of Merit.
“You richly deserve this award,” said Lennox. “I am proud to be the one giving you this. There are a lot of sacrifices made being in your position.”

“I really thought it was a great ceremony,” said Lt. Col. Jay Hedstrom, commander, Special Troops Battalion. “Maj. Gen. Lennox and the installation staff did a fantastic job – and did it ‘right’ in recognizing individuals who were retiring. Simple, elegant and a great send off.

“Command Sgt. Maj. Gould is one of the finest senior noncommissioned officers I have known in my seventeen plus years of service,” Hedstrom continued. “I served with him side-by-side … I do feel a sense of loss knowing he will not be on the team for our upcoming deployment, but I have supported his and his family’s decision to retire from the beginning and could not be happier that this day finally arrived for them. It has been a long road.”



www.bliss.army.mil	Published for the Fort Bliss/El Paso, Texas Community	Aug.3. 2006

	Sgt. Paula Taylor Maj. Gen. Robert P. Lennox, post commanding general, pins a Legion of Merit on Command Sgt. Maj. Raymond Gould, Special Troops Battalion, while Gould’s wife, Lisa, looks on. The Legion of Merit is only one of two decorations to be issued as a neck order, the other being the Medal of Honor. Gould retired from the Army after more than 22 years of service July 26. Retirees remembered, honored for Auld Lang Syne Sgt. Paula Taylor 4th BCT, 1st Cav. Div. Public Affairs Nineteen Soldiers were honored at a retirement ceremony Wednesday at the Air Defense Artillery Museum and Fort Bliss Museum. Among those honored was Command Sgt. Maj. Raymond Gould, Special Troops Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division. Each honoree received two certificates during the ceremony, which was hosted by Maj. Gen. Robert P. Lennox, post commanding general. The first was a certificate of retirement, signed by Gen. Peter J. Schoomaker, U.S. Army chief of staff, which read, “This is to certify that these Soldiers, having served faithfully and honorably, have retired from the United States Army.” The second was a certificate of appreciation, signed by President George W. Bush, which read, “For service in the Armed Forces of the United States, I extend to you my personal thanks and the sincere appreciation of a grateful nation for your contribution of honorable service to our country. You have helped maintain the security of the nation during a critical time in its history with a devotion to duty and a spirit of sacrifice in keeping with the proud traditions of military service. Your commitment and dedication have been an inspiration for those who will follow in your footsteps, and for all Americans who join me today in saluting you for a job extremely well done.” Also honored during the ceremony for their commitment to the U.S. Army were the spouses of the retirees, who received a certificate of appreciation, signed by Schoomaker. Their certificate read: “This is to certify that the following, on the occasion of the retirement of their spouses from active status with the United States Army, have earned grateful appreciation for their unselfish, faithful and devoted service. Their unfailing support and understanding helped to make possible their spouses’ lasting contribution to the nation.” Just before the conclusion of the ceremony, the attendees stood and sang Auld Lang Syne, a Scottish song meaning times gone by. “Should old acquaintance be forgot And never brought to mind Should old acquaintance be forgot And days of Auld Lang Syne …” After the ceremony, Lennox addressed the 4th BCT troopers and presented Gould with a Legion of Merit. “You richly deserve this award,” said Lennox. “I am proud to be the one giving you this. There are a lot of sacrifices made being in your position.” “I really thought it was a great ceremony,” said Lt. Col. Jay Hedstrom, commander, Special Troops Battalion. “Maj. Gen. Lennox and the installation staff did a fantastic job – and did it ‘right’ in recognizing individuals who were retiring. Simple, elegant and a great send off. “Command Sgt. Maj. Gould is one of the finest senior noncommissioned officers I have known in my seventeen plus years of service,” Hedstrom continued. “I served with him side-by-side … I do feel a sense of loss knowing he will not be on the team for our upcoming deployment, but I have supported his and his family’s decision to retire from the beginning and could not be happier that this day finally arrived for them. It has been a long road.”