“This week we gather on historic Fort Riley, the best place to train, live, deploy from, come home to and retire at; in memorium and tribute to – the fantastic Fighting First,” said Major General Wayne Grigsby Jr. during his speech at the final event for Victory Week 2016 – the Division Review.
The week came to a close with the 1st Infantry Division Review Friday morning at the Calvary Parade Field on Fort Riley.
Major General Wayne Grigsby Jr., Command Sergeant Major Joseph Cornelison, Brigadier General Patrick Frank, and Brigadier General William Turner rode horseback during the ceremonial “review” of the division troops.
Major Gen. Grigsby Jr. echoed sentiments from earlier in the week by CSM Cornelison about the strength of the non-commissioned officer core as well as the commissioned officers core and it’s importance in the success and strength of the Big Red One.
Major Gen. Grigsby Jr. boasted, “…[we have] a non-commissioned officer core that is the envy of foreign militaries and the measuring stick for standard bearers across the army….The 1st Infantry Division has the fi
nest core of commissioned officers core, unmatched by any force on the planet.”
Kicking off the events today, were the awards for the Soldier of the Year and the Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year.
The Soldier of the Year award went to Sergeant Steven Gonzalez, of the 1st Support Maintenance Company, 1st Sustainment Brigade. Sgt Gonzalez was promoted during the 1st Infantry Division’s Soldier of the Year process.
Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) of the Year was awarded to Staff Sergeant Bryan Teneyck, 287th Military Police Company, 97th Military Police Battalion.
SGT Gonzalez and SSG Teneyck will both go on to compete at the III Corps Best Warrior Competition.
Both winners walked away with about $1900 each in cash and gift cards and other valuable prizes totaling over $2500 for each winner.
The 97th Military Police Battalion were the Victory Cup Winners.
Major Gen. Grigsby Jr. expressed an unparalleled sense of pride in the Division and the award winners.
“Victory week has always represented more than just sports and recreational activities – it represents our unity, pride and the spirit of [the] core…This victory week marked the official countdown to America’s first, best and oldest division’s centennial celebration next year,” said Maj. Gen. Grigsby Jr.
One question that the Commanding General of 1st Infantry Division and Fort Riley was asked that stuck out in his mind today was how he was going to replace the previous General.
Major Gen. Grigsby Jr. said, “The one question I was asked when I first took command was, ‘so are you going to be able to replace General Funk, he was a great General’, and I looked out at the field and then at [the reporter] and said ‘no issue, we have the greatest soldiers and non-commissioned officers in the world, it doesn’t really make a difference who Danger Six is’; I’m just some guy, but it’s those soldiers out there that can bring us our freedom and security that we have today, and I love every one of them.”
The ceremony, on a warm sunny day, concluded with the cavalry charge across the picturesque field and the fresh smell of flowers mingling with the aromas of pride and patriotism.
“I am certain [that] our destiny and future looks brighter than ever, our place among the ages is secured, these first 100 years will be the launching point for the next…I know the Big Red One will continue it’s long and valorous service to our nations,” said Major Gen. Grigsby Jr..
The Big Red One will celebrate it’s Centennial Anniversary next year.
