Twitter
Facebook
Command Sgt. Maj. Rodney Rhoades, 21st Theater Sustainment Command’s senior enlisted leader (left); French Army Lt. Gen. Dominque De Longvilliers, deputy commander of NATO’s Allied Air Command; Dr. Klaus Weichel, lord mayor of Kaiserslautern; Bundeswehr Brig. Gen Gerald Funke of the German Army Logistics Command; and Maj. Gen. Duane Gamble, the 21st TSC commanding general, cut the New Year’s cake with a military saber during the 2016 21st TSC New Year’s Reception Jan. 8 on Vogelweh.
Around 300 key allied military leaders, governmental and civic officials, family members and well wishers marked the achievements of 2015 and looked forward to an even better 2016 during a dynamic 21st Theater Sustainment Command New Year’s Reception held Jan. 8 on Vogelweh.
In addition to a robust turnout from the host command, participants in the annual TSC celebration included the Kaiserslautern lord mayor, community and police officials from across the Rheinland-Pfalz region, NATO representatives, and Bundeswehr and U.S. Air Force leaders.
Music from the U.S. Army Europe Band’s Standard Jazz Quartet and an appearance by the colorful chimney sweep, a perennial New Year’s favorite who dispensed good-luck euro pennies and good cheer, punctuated the customary command celebration. Participants ushered in 2016 with a traditional champagne toast, and senior Army, NATO and Bundeswehr leaders, joined by the lord mayor, cut the customary New Year’s cake in appropriately martial manner. Tasty American and international fare supplemented the sweets.
Maj. Gen. Duane A. Gamble, the TSC commanding general and event host, emphasized the unique international dimension of the event.
“The New Year’s Reception is a U.S. Army tradition,” Gamble said. “Usually, this is a unit function. Here it’s more of a community affair, and I think that’s reflective of the great partnership we have. We’ve met with a lot of old friends, made some new friends, and talked a lot about how the military and community support each other.
“It’s very special for our community partners to share their traditions with us,” Gamble added with a smile. “I hadn’t heard of the chimney sweep until now.”
The CG made a special effort to include the broadest swath of the host command in the fun. Subordinate unit leaders traveled from outlying TSC hubs in Baumholder, Grafenwoehr and Sembach for the occasion, and organizers deliberately invited representatives of all ranks and roles.
“It’s traditional for a commander to hold a reception,” said Capt. Marta Hearn, TSC secretary of the general staff and a key event organizer. “The CG simply broadened the concept to include greater participation from our junior personnel as well as allied leaders and government officials. We had a great mix – junior officers, warrant officers, noncommissioned officers, civilians, even junior Soldiers – not just the senior officers and sergeants major you normally see at the major social events.”
Allies also played an energetic role in the celebration, with Bundeswehr logisticians, leaders and liaison personnel joining local governmental officials, civic leaders and regional legislators for the festivities.
“This was a great event,” said Bundeswehr Lt. Col. Thies Neelson, a liaison officer serving with TSC headquarters, as the reception drew to a close. “We had very good conversations and met many interesting people. This was an ideal way to start the new year, by embracing the challenges of the new year while fostering our international relationships.
“It’s always special to celebrate the start of the new year in this unique way with our allies, and it’s always special to be the guest of the U.S. Army,” Neelson added.
Event organizers concurred.
“This was a great combination of traditions and a great way to celebrate the new year,” Hearn said. “We drew on our own traditions and added German customs like the chimney sweep. I think it was extremely successful and fun.”
