Good morning, everyone. Thank you for coming out on this Independence Day morning. The hour might be early, but the traditional flag-raising that will shortly occur represents the essence of what this holiday is about. I’m particularly happy to be standing in Yuma’s Armed Forces Park surrounded by over 3500 granite plaques honoring America’s warfighters – that’s truly distinguished company in my book. Before I begin my formal remarks I’d like to recognize three organizations that accomplished so much in arranging and publicizing this morning’s ceremony. I know from personal experience that pulling together events like this are a great deal more work than they appear. I’d like to thank the CAbe-Y-eros de Yuma, the Yuma County Chamber …show more content…
In the interest of full disclosure, I have to tell you that I have been the commander of Yuma Proving Ground for only two weeks. They’ve been exciting ones and I’m more charged up now about being here than I was two weeks ago, I had been excited to get out here! YPG is quite a place with an outstanding workforce. It’s my distinct privilege to be here. Upon being notified of my selection for Command, noticing Yuma Proving Ground was available for consideration, I listed it as my first choice and was blessed to be selected.
Though I was born in Minnesota, my family and I moved to Flagstaff where I completed junior high and high school. I later attended and graduated from Arizona State University. Go Sun Devils! I consider myself an Arizonan and maintain it as my home state. Many members of my family live here and, by coming to YPG, I felt like I had returned home. I can tell you unequivocally, Arizona – and Yuma – is exactly where I want to be. The stars truly aligned in giving me the opportunity to serve …show more content…
Though that war, known as “the Great War,” at the time, lasted four years, the United States was involved only in the final two. Our contribution was vital, however, for it proved decisive. Our nation mobilized more than four million troops, two million of whom were sent to battlefields on the Western Front in France, under the command of Major General John Pershing. The addition of these forces to the war effort ended a bloody stalemate, and the fighting came to an end with the armistice of November 11, 1918. More than 100,000 Americans lost their lives and 200,000 more suffered