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Soldiers from throughout the Kaiserslautern Military Community were inducted into the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club and Sergeant Morales Club during a ceremony hosted by the 21st Theater Sustainment Command at the Galaxy Theater on the Vogelweh Military Complex, Feb. 1.
The ceremony began with several Soldiers standing up in the audience to recite the Soldiers Creed and a presentation of the history of Army NCOs. Several NCOs stood on the stage dressed in Army uniforms from World War I through the global war on terror.
The guest speaker was Command Sgt. Maj. David Davenport Sr., the U.S. Army Europe command sergeant major. After giving a few words on the importance of becoming a member of both the Sergeant Morales and Audie Murphy Clubs, Davenport presented each of the nine inductees with medals, lifetime membership scrolls and an award.
Inducted into the Sergeant Morales Club were: Staff Sgt. Donmonic Simpson and Sgt. 1st Class Jesus Arellano, both from the 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command; Staff Sgt. Matthew Defreo and Sgt. 1st Class Mallory Niese-Morrow, both from the 95th Military Police Battalion; Staff Sgt. Carlos Molinares from the 230th Military Police Company; and 1st Sgt. Phillip Griffiths from the 18th Combat Service Support Battalion.
Inducted into the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club were: Sgts. Robert Shortsleeves, Keith Howse and Christopher Slone, all from the 515th Transportation Company. “I am very excited. I have been in the Army a long time and getting my medal today reaffirms my dedication,” said Griffiths, who was inducted into the Sergeant Morales Club in 2004, but did not get is medal until this ceremony due to his many deployments. “I am proud to be a part of this club, and I hope this sets the example for other Soldiers.”
The Sergeant Morales Club was established in 1973 by Lt. Gen. George S. Blanchard to promote the highest ideals of integrity, professionalism and leadership for the enlisted force serving in Europe. Members exemplify a special kind of leadership characterized by a personal concern for the needs, training, development and welfare of Soldiers.
The Sergeant Audie Murphy Club is a private U.S. Army organization for noncommissioned officers. According to the Forces Command regulation for the club, members must exemplify leadership characterized by personal concern for the needs, training, development, and welfare of Soldiers and concern for families of Soldiers.
“These Soldiers are setting the example of being fit, disciplined and well trained and this ceremony showed them a standard of what right looks like,” said Davenport. “These clubs are so valuable; you cannot put a price on it.”
