A Voice for the Army Reserves!
Army Reserve Kicks-Off 100th Anniversary
100 Army Reserve Soldiers Re-Enlist in Iraq, Commemorating a Century of Service and Sacrifice.
January 18, 2008. Baghdad, Iraq—In recognition of the Army Reserve's 100th Anniversary, a special centennial re-enlistment ceremony of 100 Army Reserve Soldiers was held today at the Al Faw Palace in Baghdad, Iraq.
The event kicked-off the Army Reserve's 100th Anniversary commemoration, which takes place throughout 2008.
"Today's ceremony allowed us to thank and honor 100 Army Reserve Soldiers who are reenlisting while serving in a theater of war," said Lt. Gen. Jack C. Stultz, Chief, Army Reserve and Commanding General, Army Reserve Command.
"These brave men and women are America's true Warrior-Citizens, taking time away from their civilian employers, families and communities to serve their country."
Almost 22,000 Army Reserve Soldiers are mobilized today, including more than 15,000 supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation Enduring Freedom and more than 7,000 deployed in support of homeland defense.
"After 100 years, the Army Reserve has never played a more vital role in the world's greatest Army," said Stultz. "The Army Reserve Soldier brings important civilian skill sets into our mission in Iraq, ranging from medical support, transportation, engineering, civilian affairs, and a multitude of other critical functions."
For full story go to: http://www.armyreserve100th.net/newsletter/jan08/
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The 100th USAR Anniversary dinner is being held in Washington D.C. this 23rd of April 2008. (23 April 1908 to 23 April 2008 - 100 years!)
This event is in conjuction with the Army Reserves' Warrior Council conference also being held in the National Capital region.
This will be a great affair and members of your Army Reserve Association staff, as well as a number of ARA Life Members, will be in attendance at this memorable gala affair.
Look for our report on the events and announcements that will be made at the event, which for us all, is a once in a lifetime celebration.
The Army Reserve Association extends a hearty "Congratulations!" to the United States Army Reserve and all its members, past and present, and especially to all who are in harms way right now!
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Your Army Reserve Association takes the initiative with this exculsive review of the USAR's new ArmyReserve100th.com website!
One of the United States Army Reserve's primary 100th anniversary tools is a Web site that the 100th Task Force has created we are told.
As ARA's Director of Field Support Services, Col. Mike Lind, Ret., understands it, this site is designed to: Reach key audiences with information that defines the history and role of the Army Reserve. To convey a sense of pride in the accomplishments of Army Reserve, and of the service and sacrifices of our Soldiers and Veterans. And to provide information about anniversary activities throughout the year and engage our key audiences.
Our knowledgeable briefer, in describing for the Army Reserve Association some of the notable features of this brand new site told us: The design is intended to be patriotic in tone and to have a “people” focus, which is why we emphasize faces throughout
the site. Continuing, we are told: We have also been careful to be respectful of the service of our Soldiers and Veterans while also making the site engaging and interesting. As our briefer moves along we are told:
In the center of the site, we rotate the main image and the words of the seven Army values.
The text below in the center image references a link to a calendar of 100th events in 2008.
The 100 Years of Service section provides a timeline and historical information.
The Today’s Army Reserve section focuses on the current Reserve force. It provides background information and statements from our senior leadership.
The Press Room will provide news media with information (i.e. press releases, background information) to spur coverage of the 100th Anniversary of the USAR.
“Who is your everyday Army Reserve hero?” is a place where visitors can leave a short tribute for a family member or colleague.
The Links section is populated with useful Army Reserve affinity sites.
Discussing another section of the site we are told it is entitled “Faces of the Army Reserve.”
While addressing yet another screen we are told: Here visitors can browse through current Soldier and Veteran profiles and photos. We will be adding to these profiles throughout the year, we are told. For example, some of the Soldiers re-enlisting at our anniversary ceremony will be profiled on the Web site. This section is also intended to provide story starters for the media and for organizations which comprise our extended family.
Viewing the “Help Commemorate” section, we are told it is intended to encourage Army Reserve key audiences to take some initiative in commemorating the anniversary (Like the ARA with this article on our website). Continuing, its explained: We provide guidance and materials such as a sample newsletter article, graphics, correspondence with employers and communities, and sample proclamations for local government.
With a broad grin we are told: There’s even a crossword puzzle for kids. The idea is that we’re giving site visitors some easy ways to say thank you to our Soldiers for their service, and hopefully that spurs some increased awareness and positive feelings as a result, he explains to us.
Concluding his preview of this new site with us, our presentor, pointing to another Power Point Slide, concludes: And this section focuses on Soldiers, Veterans, Families, teachers & kids, employers, non-profits and communities.
We here at the Army Reserve Association would like to "take the initiative" here and now to ask that you please visit this new and exciting United States Army Reserve site at www.armyreserve100th.com.
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