Fort Drum, NY By Daniel P. Gillotti June 2017
Theresa and I just returned from our 900 trip and we are wore out!
Here is the sequence of events once we arrived at Fort Drum, NY:
BTW The first image is of the Bn CO's personal Armored Command Post, complete with a
Remote controlled turretmounted MG controlled with a video camera and a joy stick to aim and fire it while buckled up.
The second image shows LTC John Harvey with me in the red ball cap on his right reviewing
The troops passing by.
- We arrived on 31 May, and I drove on-Post and made contact with CSM Michael Carlan at their 2-15th FA Bn HQ. I also spoke with the Bn CO, LTC John Stanley. Both the CSM and the Bn CO are top shelf soldiers and we got along very well.
On Thursday morning we met again with CSM Carlan and we proceeded to the old Parade Grounds, and we did a walk through of the ceremony and all of the static displays that included every piece of equipment they had from FIST vehicles, Radar Rigs, The Bn CO’s mobile command vehicle is fully armored complete with a remote controlled machinegun on top.
They also had tents set up with cake and refreshments for after the completion of the ceremonies.
Part of their ceremonies included presentations to the best Gun Section, best FIST Team, and the Best Battery FDC. This award was named as the MSG Master Sergeant Daniel P. Gillotti Best FDC Award back in 2001 by then Bn CO LTC Samuel Johnson, and is an annual award, as are the others.
2. I was the Guest Speaker for this ceremony, and I announced the number of KIAs each unit suffered in WWI, WWII, Korean War, Vietnam War [6th Bn, 15th FA & 7th Bn, 15th FA], and Iraq for the 2-15th FA]. I brought our 75mm 1917 shell and the Bn Chaplain rang it one time after each unit’s numbers were announced. After this exercise, the 2-15th FA marched in review.
The 10th Division DIVARTY CO and the 2nd Bde CO were in attendance, and as the Guest of Honor I was invited to view the troops alongside LTC Harvey. Our Honorary Sergeants Major John “Hop-Along” Hoetker was in attendance as well. The worst part of this ceremony was the fact the wind was blowing across the parade field so hard the troopers holding The National Colors and the Regimental Colors were nearly blown off their feet.
2-15th FA is a very seasoned and squared away organization from the lowest Private to the Bn CO. and I shook hands with At least 100 or more soldiers from Colonels to Privates and I felt honored to be there for the unit.
One idea they had that I thought was very unique. Their 100th Anniversary Coin was made of plastic and looks like a Poker Chip. If this is something we want to look into, I’ll get the coin makers contact information from CSM Carlan.
Just a side note, as all of you may know, the Army decided that every Division needs a DIVARTY to control all of theirOrganic Artillery. In the case of 2-15th FA, they belong to the 2nd Brigade, and all of their tasking comes directly from them.
End of Mission ~ Out!