New Mexico Minuteman - Fall 2011
New Mexico Minuteman - Fall 2011 New Mexico Minuteman - Fall 2011
111th MEB hosts Bataan Liberation Prayer Breakfast By Sgt. 1st Class Douglas Mallary, 111th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, NMARNG The 111th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade of the New Mexico Army National Guard hosted the 2nd Annual Bataan Liberation Prayer Breakfast at its headquarters in Rio Rancho Aug. 7, 2011. Honorees included two Bataan survivors who were joined by approximately 130 Soldiers for the event. The distinguished guests included William Overmier and his wife Ann, John Love, Margaret Garcia, Mahlon Love, and Ty Teel. Overmier and John Love are both Bataan survivors, having served in the 200th Coast Artillery. Garcia represented her father, Evans Garcia, another Bataan and 200th Coast Artillery veteran, who died earlier this year. Mahlon Love is the civilian aide to the Secretary of the Army for New Mexico, and Teel is the commander of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5890 in Rio Rancho. Maj. Gen. Kenny Montoya, the Adjutant General of New Mexico, and Col. Thomas Bump, commander of the 111th MEB, also attended the breakfast. Overmier was the guest speaker, sharing how he joined the New Mexico National Guard for gas money and how he and his comrades were outfi tted with World War I equipment as they fought on the Philippine Islands during the fi rst few months of U.S. involvement in World War II. On April 9, 1942, approximately 12,000 American Soldiers, including members of the New Mexico National Guard’s 200th and 515th Coast Artillery regiments, were ordered to surrender to the Japanese at the Bataan Peninsula in the Philippines. The Japanese then forced their prisoners to walk 65 miles to prisoner-of-war camps during the now infamous Bataan Death March. In the POW camps, these Soldiers endured degrading and horrifi c treatment, diseases and malnourishment. Many of the prisoners were shipped to Japan for 10 NEW MEXICO Minuteman / Fall 2011 William Overmier, a Bataan veteran and former prisoner of war, studies a historical display at the 2nd Annual Bataan Liberation Prayer Breakfast held Aug. 7, 2011, in the Rio Rancho Readiness Center. The event, hosted by the New Mexico Army National Guard’s 111th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, honored Bataan veterans and commemorated their freedom. Overmier was the guest speaker. Approximately 130 National Guard Soldiers attended the breakfast with Bataan survivors and their family members as well as other dignitaries. Photo: Sgt. 1st Class Douglas Mallary, 111th MEB, NMARNG forced labor. Of the 1,800 soldiers that were sent to the Philippines during World War II as members of the 200th and 515th – many from New Mexico – only some 900 returned. Overmier bluntly stated that some of his fellow Soldiers died aboard the “hell” ships en route to Japan as American planes attacked the vessels. “The pilots had no way of knowing that there were Americans on those ships,” said Overmier. “I know that sounds negative, but that’s what happened.” Overmier witnessed more of his brothers-in-arms falling to sickness, starvation and abuse at the hands of their Japanese captors, who routinely confi scated anything of value from American prisoners. During the breakfast, all present recited the Pledge of Allegiance. They were treated to the playing of “America the Beautiful” and “God Bless America” after Bump’s opening remarks. Maj. Danny Olson read Psalm 23 and Capt. Richard Turk read Psalm 91. Newly promoted Spc. Emily Gallo recited the Bataan “motto” written by Frank Hewlett in 1942: “We’re the Battling Bastards of Bataan; no mama, no papa, no Uncle Sam; no pills, no planes, no artillery pieces; and nobody gives a damn!” Besides honoring the Bataan veterans and commemorating their liberation, the prayer breakfast united past and present warriors, since many of the Soldiers there were veterans of Afghanistan and Iraq. In his benediction, Chaplain 1st Lt. Timothy Martin said, “We ask that you instill in each of us the fi ghting spirit of the Battling Bastards of Bataan.”
Forty years and state command chief looks for a fi shing hole to call his own By Tech. Sgt. Kathee Mullins, 150th Fighter Wing Public Affairs When the Air Force split off from the Army and became their own branch of the military, the Army lost a great Soldier and future sergeant major. At least, that is what some believe happened with State Command Chief David T. Griego. And after 40 years of meritorious service, Griego, hangs his hat up one last time in a place that has been home for four decades. He has seen a lot, accomplished a lot and has acquired a very large family, all because he could fi re a musket qualifying as an expert. In 1971, a very young Griego held his hand up and took an oath to defend and protect his country. He traded his grocery store job for working at, what was the 188th POL (Petroleum, Oils, and Lubricants) and a chance to go overseas. From airman basic to state command chief, Griego gained knowledge and respect from his peers and superiors, but he never lost his title of a thrifty, generous, caring, go-to guy. Exactly 40 years later he ends his career; but he won’t be gone, he still has family here. “At 41 years old I became adjutant general and he has 40 years in the Air Guard. When I think of Chief Griego, I think of his loyalty to the offi cer corps and his dedication to his Airmen. And he is never afraid to say what he thinks when it comes to his Airmen. He is truly a symbol of a great senior NCO. We will all miss him. Thank you for everything you have done,” said Maj. Gen. Kenny Montoya, Adjutant General of the New Mexico National Guard. Griego’s younger brother, Adam, also a member of the 150th Fighter Wing, told the audience how thrifty his brother was through the years. “When David was younger, he would buy dented cans of food and bring them home to Mom. He was always thrifty, but generous. In fact he is the only one I know that would walk three blocks to the Lobos game to save the $5 parking,” said Master Sgt. Adam Griego. “Once when his battery needed to be replaced, he went to the automotive store and bought the cheapest battery, putting it in the trunk of his car. He changed the battery out one night in the pouring rain when the old battery would no longer crank. He was so happy that he got the very last crank out of the old battery.” “Yet as thrifty as he was, he was always generous. He would get a new truck or vehicle and pass the old one down to Dad or one of the nieces or nephews. We are proud of you. We love you. And thank you for everything,” added Adam Griego. The fi rst sergeants, represented by Master Sgts. Cupp and Lamb, said they couldn’t ask for a better command chief, adding that the chief always kept them entertained by yelling at Gorman (Senior Master Sgt. James Gorman). Griego began his farewell speech by saying, “Thanks to my family for your love and support.” Then he went on jokingly to clear the record one last time about himself. “I do have a little green in me, my father was in the Army,” Griego said. “I get my soft attitude from my mom. And as far as being accused of being anti-offi cer…my wife is an offi cer. “To my boss, I don’t have the words to express my gratitude. To my fellow Guardsmen, thank you for being here today. My fi nal salute goes to you,” he said in closing. New Mexico Army National Guard State Command Chief David T. Griego retired after 40 years of service with the 150th Fighter Wing on Kirtland Air Force in Albuquerque, N.M., Aug. 7, 2011. Photos: Staff Sgt Roberto Bilbao. The Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. Kenny C. Montoya, honors State Command Chief David T. Griego by pinning the Distinguished Service Medal on Griego at a retirement ceremony at the 150th Fighter Wing on Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque. Fall 2011 / NEW MEXICO National Guard 11
- Page 1: 150th Fighter Wing moves forward wi
- Page 4 and 5: 150th Fighter Wing moves forward wi
- Page 6 and 7: 226th Military Police Battalion tra
- Page 8 and 9: Engineers conduct AT on the border
- Page 10 and 11: New Mexico National Guard team comp
- Page 14 and 15: B Co., 1st Bn. races away with TAG
- Page 16 and 17: Joining the offi cer ranks Six cand
- Page 18 and 19: By Lt. Col. Jamison Herrera, State
- Page 20 and 21: 1116th Transportation Company 1116t
- Page 22 and 23: 20 NEW MEXICO Minuteman / Fall 2011
- Page 24 and 25: 150th Fighter Wing honors their hom
- Page 26 and 27: NEWS BRIEFS The NMNG welcomes a new
- Page 28 and 29: CAMP DEFY aims to keep children out
- Page 30 and 31: By Sgt. Suzanna Dominguez, State Pu
- Page 32: 30 NEW MEXICO Minuteman / Fall 2011
Forty years and<br />
state command chief<br />
looks for a fi shing<br />
hole to call his own<br />
By Tech. Sgt. Kathee Mullins, 150th Fighter Wing Public Affairs<br />
When the Air Force split off from the Army and became their own branch of the<br />
military, the Army lost a great Soldier and future sergeant major. At least, that is what<br />
some believe happened with State Command Chief David T. Griego.<br />
And after 40 years of meritorious service, Griego, hangs his hat up one last time<br />
in a place that has been home for four decades. He has seen a lot, accomplished a<br />
lot and has acquired a very large family, all because he could fi re a musket qualifying<br />
as an expert.<br />
In 1971, a very young Griego held his hand up and took an oath to defend and<br />
protect his country. He traded his grocery store job for working at, what was the<br />
188th POL (Petroleum, Oils, and Lubricants) and a chance to go overseas. From<br />
airman basic to state command chief, Griego gained knowledge and respect from<br />
his peers and superiors, but he never lost his title of a thrifty, generous, caring, go-to<br />
guy. Exactly 40 years later he ends his career; but he won’t be gone, he still has<br />
family here.<br />
“At 41 years old I became adjutant general and he has 40 years in the Air Guard.<br />
When I think of Chief Griego, I think of his loyalty to the offi cer corps and his<br />
dedication to his Airmen. And he is never afraid to say what he thinks when<br />
it comes to his Airmen. He is truly a symbol of a great senior NCO. We<br />
will all miss him. Thank you for everything you have done,” said Maj. Gen.<br />
Kenny Montoya, Adjutant General of the <strong>New</strong> <strong>Mexico</strong> National Guard.<br />
Griego’s younger brother, Adam, also a member of the 150th Fighter<br />
Wing, told the audience how thrifty his brother was through the years.<br />
“When David was younger, he would buy dented cans of food and bring<br />
them home to Mom. He was always thrifty, but generous. In fact he is the<br />
only one I know that would walk three blocks to the Lobos game to save the<br />
$5 parking,” said Master Sgt. Adam Griego. “Once when his battery needed<br />
to be replaced, he went to the automotive store and bought the cheapest<br />
battery, putting it in the trunk of his car. He changed the battery out one<br />
night in the pouring rain when the old battery would no longer crank. He<br />
was so happy that he got the very last crank out of the old battery.”<br />
“Yet as thrifty as he was, he was always generous. He would get a new<br />
truck or vehicle and pass the old one down to Dad or one of the nieces or<br />
nephews. We are proud of you. We love you. And thank you for everything,”<br />
added Adam Griego.<br />
The fi rst sergeants, represented by Master Sgts. Cupp and Lamb, said they<br />
couldn’t ask for a better command chief, adding that the chief always kept<br />
them entertained by yelling at Gorman (Senior Master Sgt. James Gorman).<br />
Griego began his farewell speech by saying, “Thanks to my family for<br />
your love and support.”<br />
Then he went on jokingly to clear the record one last time about himself.<br />
“I do have a little green in me, my father was in the Army,” Griego said. “I<br />
get my soft attitude from my mom. And as far as being accused of being<br />
anti-offi cer…my wife is an offi cer.<br />
“To my boss, I don’t have the words to express my gratitude. To my<br />
fellow Guardsmen, thank you for being here today. My fi nal salute goes to<br />
you,” he said in closing.<br />
<strong>New</strong> <strong>Mexico</strong> Army National Guard State Command Chief<br />
David T. Griego retired after 40 years of service with the<br />
150th Fighter Wing on Kirtland Air Force in Albuquerque,<br />
N.M., Aug. 7, <strong>2011</strong>. Photos: Staff Sgt Roberto Bilbao.<br />
The Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. Kenny C. Montoya, honors State<br />
Command Chief David T. Griego by pinning the Distinguished Service<br />
Medal on Griego at a retirement ceremony at the 150th Fighter<br />
Wing on Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque.<br />
<strong>Fall</strong> <strong>2011</strong> / NEW MEXICO National Guard 11
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