Artillerymen and wives honored at Truman Chapter event

Retired Sgt. Maj. Christopher D. Jewett, of Maryville, received the Ancient Order of St. Barbara award. This honor is the most prestigious award a field artilleryman can receive. (Photo by Jennifer Archdekin)

By Jennifer Archdekin
Ngmo.pao@US.ARMY.MIL

MARYVILLE, Mo. - The 129th Field Artillery Battalion gathered recently at the Maryville Community Center to honor past and present artillerymen and their wives at the 23rd Annual Dining Out of the Harry S. Truman Chapter of the U.S. Field Artillery Association.

The Artillery Order of Molly Pitcher honor was presented to five spouses of artillerymen, each receiving a gold necklace signifying her service. These women were recognized for their spirit and sacrifice of the legendary Molly Pitcher, who manned her husband's gun in battle after he was wounded in 1778. The women honored were Tami Mast of Hollister, Jennifer Nanneman of Springfield, Amanda Pankau of Jameson, Lesley Schulte of Maryville, and Heather Simmerman of Stanberry.

"It's a chance to honor these women within the traditions of the field artillery-especially the Molly Pitcher award," said Lt Col. Terry Mast, commander of the 129th Field Artillery. "It also signifies what they have done for our unit. It is the moral support that allows us to do our jobs."

The Honorable Order of Saint Barbara was given to 16 present and retired Guardsmen, as a symbol of being worthy members of the traditional brotherhood. The men recognized were retired Sgt. 1st Class Steven Adams of Albany, Sgt. 1st Class Sean Allen of Altamont, Capt. Timothy Kohls of Russellville, Staff Sgt. Bret Kurth of Grain Valley, Sgt. 1st Class Jason Piburn of Raymore, Capt. Robert Roth of Blackwater, Sgt. 1st Class Jeffrey Slifer of Excelsior Springs, Sgt. 1st Class Casey Smith of Mendon, Sgt. 1st Class Tracy Smith of Sumner, 1st Sgt. Kevin Stallo of Centerville, Iowa, Staff Sgt. Brandon Stockwell of Brunswick, Staff Sgt. Ronald Thomas of Albany, Sgt. 1st Class Justin Walker of Liberty, Sgt. 1st Class Ralph Wallace of Hopkins, Sgt. 1st Class James E. Wiederholt of Stanberry, and Staff Sgt. David Williams of Kansas City.

The Ancient Order of Saint Barbara, the most prestigious honor awarded to field artillerymen, was presented to retired Sgt. Maj. Christopher Jewett of Maryville. It is only given to select individuals that have dedicated enormous selfless service and their career to the field artillery.

Mast said that recognizing the retirees is very important because those are the men that laid the groundwork for the battalion's current leadership.

"Without those guys teaching us what it is to be an artilleryman we wouldn't have the tradition of excellence that is within this unit," said Mast. "One of the honorees tonight was Sgt. Maj. Jewett. He was instrumental in training a lot of the officers that are in command positions, myself included. It is always important to honor the past because they are what's creating the present. It tells us what we need to do to ensure the future."

The Truman Chapter is just one of many chapters in the Field Artillery Association. The chapter began in November 1986. There are more than 5,000 members in the association worldwide. The 129th is Missouri's only field artillery unit.

For more information about the Missouri National Guard, please call 1-800-GoGuard or visit www.moguard.com.

-30-

For more information about this release, please contact Jennifer Archdekin at 816-262-2893 or e-mail at jarchdekin@gmail.com.




Tami Mast of Hollister, Lesley Schulte of Maryville, Heather Simmerman of Stanberry, Amanda Pankau of Jameson, and Jennifer Nanneman of Springfield were each honored with the Artillery Order of Molly Pitcher award. (Photo by Jennifer Archdekin)



The Honorable Order of Saint Barbara was presented to 16 field artillerymen from the 129th Field Artillery. Ten Soldiers were on hand to receive their award. (Photo by Jennifer Archdekin)