2018 Commemoration Ceremony
307th Infantry Regiment Memorial Grove
Central Park, New York
On 9 June 2018, the 77th Infantry Division Reserve Officers Association, in conjunction with the 307th Infantry Veterans Society, held their annual Commemoration Ceremony in the 307th Infantry Regiment Memorial Grove, in Central Park.
The ceremony honored all service members who have lost their lives defending our country, with particular emphasis on Soldiers of the 307th Infantry Regiment, 77th Infantry Division, who died during World War I and World War II.
Click here to view the Program for the 2018 Commemoration Ceremony.
The names of the 307th Soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice during World War I are inscribed on bronze plaques on the boulder monument and individual company pedestals located in the Grove. All of these company plaques originally were next to memorial trees planted beginning in 1920, but most of those company trees have since perished, although others still grace the Grove. Three of the company plaques which had gone missing a number of years ago were replaced by the 307th IVS in 2012.
Click here to view a history of the 307th Memorial Grove on this web site.
The Commemoration Ceremony on 9 June was introduced and led by Colonel Louis H. Sudholz, Jr. (Ret), President of the 77th Infantry Division ROA.
The Invocation, Prayer and Benediction were offered by Chaplain (First Lieutenant) Jeremy Pfeister, USAR, Chaplain, 462nd Transportation Battalion.
Mr. Phil Jabouin, Assistant Director of Community Relations, Central Park Conservancy, welcomed the participants and attendees to the park on behalf of the Conservancy.
Remarks about the history of the 307th Infantry Regiment in both World Wars and its role in the establishment and support of the Memorial Grove in Central Park beginning in 1920 to the present were delivered by Colonel Edwin G. Logan (Ret), who is President of the 307th IVS and a Director of the 77th IDROA.
The first guest speaker was Lieutenant Colonel Jeffrey J. Lesperance, USA, Commander, 1st Battalion, 307th Regiment. His remarks focused on the importance of carrying on the lineage of the 307th.
The first of two keynote speakers was Major General William Terpeluk (Ret), Former Commanding General, 77th Regional Readiness Command. His remarks recalled the history of the 77th Infantry Division, starting with its organization in New York in 1917 and subsequent heroism during WWI, including the story of the so-called “Lost Battalion” in the Argonne Forest of France. He also covered the Division’s distinguished service in the Pacific Theater during WWII. MG Terpeluk is a Director of the 77th IDROA.
The second keynote speaker was Major General Troy D. Kok, USAR, Commanding General, 99th Readiness Division. His remarks also focused on the role that the 77th played during both World Wars. He mentioned the Lost Battalion, the 100th anniversary last year of the 77th Infantry Division, and the important role that the Active and Reserve military are playing in defending our nation.
COL Logan then introduced the placing of the memorial wreath by Command Sergeant Major Carol A. Cox, USAR, 389th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion; and Command Sergeant Major Walter A. Embich, 1st Battalion, 307th Regiment.
SGT Joseph P. Naples, USAR, played TAPS.
Supporting the ceremony throughout were members of the 389th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion Color Guard, and the 319th U.S. Army Band, led by SSG Joseph M. Young, USAR.
Also attending the ceremony were the following
additional Directors of the 77th IDROA: Colonel Lawrence M. Bellman
(Ret); Colonel Ivan Cornielle (Ret); Chief Warrant Officer Four
Bernard M. Kaplan (Ret); Lieutenant Colonel (P) Thomas P. Sullivan,
USAR; and Mr. Malcolm R. Schade.
Also attending was the following additional member of the 77th
IDROA: Command Sergeant Major Vincent J. Mannion, USAR, 2-228th
Theater Fixed Wing Battalion.
Also attending as guests were: Lieutenant Colonel Kevin
S. McGuire, USAR, Commander, 389th Combat Sustainment Support
Battalion; Command Sergeant Major Brian R. Ladlee, USAR, 77th
Sustainment Brigade; and Command Sergeant Major Andrew J. Lombardo,
USAR, 99th Readiness Division.
To view these and additional photos of this event, click below to go
to Photo Albums on this web site.