Our Community Salutes of Eastern Iowa" ("OCS-EI") held our 2nd annual High School Graduate/Military Enlistee Recognition Event for local graduates at the Rock Island Arsenal ("RIA") in the Quad Cities on Saturday May 16th, in conjunction with RIA's annual Armed Forces Weekend gala.

ATTENDANCE: Approximately 180 Enlistees, family members, local and community VIP's and several Army Command Sergeants Major attended the Event along with several general officers. 30 of these were local Enlistees

LOCATION: The Event was held adjacent to Quarters 1, the former residence of the Arsenal's commanding generals. This 22,000 S.F. home was built in the early 1870s and is the second largest federal residence in the United States, behind only the White House. Qtrs. 1 tours were provided after the Event. Fireworks also followed later in the evening. rel="noopener">https://rockisland.armymwr.com/

GUEST OF HONOR AND VIP’S: Our Guest of Honor was the former Command Sergeant Major of the RIA-based Army Sustainment Command (and current SGM of the Army Headquarters G-4 Office), SGM Jorge Escobedo, whose life story of bad early childhood decisions in Mexico City forced his mother to direct a move to a relative’s house in California (a retired U.S. Marine), starting young Jorge on a path to the highest enlisted rank for a non-commissioned officer in the United States Army.

A special honor in the Event was provided by a Korean War Veteran, 96-year old Corporal Clarence John Hammann, who proudly led the entire group in the Pledge of Allegiance and then watched proudly, as two of his Great Grandsons joined the iowa national Guard.

This is our community’s way – eastern Iowa’s way, of honoring these outstanding young men and women who have stepped forward to join millions of others in the service of our Country.

THANK YOU TO ALL who joined us!

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