Twitter
Facebook
More than 600 people enjoyed an evening of fun, dancing and prize giveaways at the annual Artillery Branch Ball, held at the Ramstein Officers’ Club March 22.
But, more importantly, the event, commonly known as the St. Barbara’s Day Ball, recognized the continuing importance of the artillery branch to the U.S. Army.
It was co-hosted by the Kaiserslautern-based 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command and the 19th Battlefield Coordination Detachment. One common denominator bringing everyone together was a healthy respect and admiration for the artillery branch, which includes “The King of Battle” and “First to Fire” Soldiers.
The artillery branch enjoys a time-honored legacy of doing the difficult work that has to be done in combat, and that distinction hasn’t gone unnoticed in the highest reaches of power, said Riki Ellison, who served as the night’s keynote speaker.
Ellison, a former professional football player with three Super Bowl rings, is now a staunch advocate of missile defense working to bring awareness to national Air and Space challenges. He drew comparisons between his football career, present vocation and the daily challenges facing those in attendance.
“We’re going to be out there supporting your mission, which is much more important than being a professional athlete on Sundays,” Ellison said.
While Ellison’s comments, often filled with football anecdotes, provided the necessary historical and cultural background highlighting the importance of the artillery branch, the evening’s pageantry helped define the U.S. Army, both past and present.
Col. Stephen Richmond, commander of the 10th AAMDC, presided over the posting of the colors at the beginning of the ball. Toasts were later made to distinguished guests and fellow comrades, including fallen service members who couldn’t attend.
One guest, Lindsey Lamage, was taking in her first military ball. Married to husband Staff Sgt. Michael Lamage, an airlift NCOIC with the 19th BCD, her concerns of the event being overly formal quickly vanished.
“Everyone is a little more spirited than I thought they’d be, and everyone just looks beautiful,” she said.
After dinner, Col. Richmond was joined by U.S. Army Col. Steven Hite, commander of the 19th BCD in honoring recipients of the Order of St. Barbara, whose membership is reserved for those who have served the artillery branch with distinction.
The two commanders also used the evening to recognize several ladies with “Molly Pitcher” medals, given to spouses who have made a significant contribution to the artillery mission through their support.
Col. Hite helped close the ball as he presided over the retiring of the colors, but that hardly marked the end of the evening. Indeed, for some it was merely the beginning, as couples took to the dance floor.
Staff Sgt. Shedrick Holland, a supply sergeant with the 13th Missile Defense Detachment, said one of the best and lasting things about the artillery, is the devotion to the spouses and others whose unwavering support makes things possible.
“It’s putting family first,” he said.
