“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.

 

 

The victim in a shooting incident early Thursday morning at 235 East 12th Street in Junction City has been identified by police.

Police Detective Lieutenant Jeff Childs identified the shooting victim as a Fort Riley soldier, Landis Johnson, 25.  Johnson was transported to Stormont Vail Hospital in Topeka after he was located in the 200 block of East 14th Steet early Thursday.  Childs reported that Johnson was stable after surgery, and that Johnson had been shot multiple times in the incident.

A 32-year old Junction City man, Connell A. Davis, was arrested in the case on suspicion of Attempted First Degree Murder, Aggravated Battery and Aggravated Burglary.

Childs confirmed the shooting stemmed from a domestic issue.

 

The head of the Republic of Palau is visiting Junction City.

On the reason for his  visit President Tommy Remengesau noted that many people from Palau, which is an island country in the western Pacific Ocean, serve in the U.S. military. He said a sizeable number of them are stationed at Fort Riley. He also has a nephew, who is a former military member, that resides in Junction City with his family.

Remengesau plans to conduct a meet-and-greet with residents of his country from this area including Kansas City and neighboring areas of the United States on Friday evening at 6 p.m. at the Geary County 4-H / Senior Center. They will have an opportunity to address their issues. He is also seeking re-election this fall. “There will be a meet-and-greet and an opportunity for them to ask questions.”

Preceding that, the President noted that there will be a Palaun feast featuring such ocean foods as sashimi ( raw fish ), fried fish,  and fish burgers.

Remengesau confirmed he hopes to do some touring of Fort Riley during his visit. As far as his first impression of Junction City is concerned, “It’s very green, it’s very environmentally clean, people here are  friendly.”

Palau has served as president in this term since 2013. Prior to that he served in that role for eightyears, before stepping down for a period of time due to constitutional limitations. He was then re-elected in 2013 and is now seeking re-election to another four-year term.

Remengesau said the population of Palau totals about 20,000 people, which support a population of approximately 117,000 tourists from other countries each year. “People come because of the pristine waters that we have, so scuba diving is really a main attraction there.” Palau includes about 300 islands, and has an exclusive economic zone area of ocean that covers approximately 600,000 square kilometers.

Remengesau arrived in Junction City with a Secret Service and Kansas Highway Patrol escort. He was greeted by Junction City officials including Mayor Mick McCallister, Junction City Commissioner Phyllis Fitzgerald, City Manager Allen Dinkel, and Interim Police Chief Dan Breci, as well as family members. He was in the United States at an event in New York City, and his stopover in Junction City comes on his way home to Palau.