Army Reserve begins 100th birthday with Baghdad re-enlistment

Photo Master Sgt. Anthony Martinez-More than 100 Army Reserve Soldiers gather at the Al Faw palace at Camp Victory, Iraq, Friday to re-enlist during a ceremony marking the 100th Anniversary of the Army Reserve.

A mass re-enlistment for 100 Reserve Soldiers at Camp Victory Friday kicked off the U.S. Army Reserve's year-long 100th birthday celebration.

Gen. David H. Petraeus, commanding general of Multi-National Force-Iraq, presided over the ceremony and gave the oath of enlistment to Soldiers hailing from 47 units in both Iraq and Kuwait.

"Citizen-Soldiers, it is great to be here with you," Petraeus said in his opening remarks. "Re-enlisting Soldiers is one of my most enjoyable duties, and it is a true honor to be able to re-enlist 100 of you here today, as we also celebrate the Army Reserve's first century of service." The Army Reserve was founded April 23, 1908.

He continued to expound on the vital roles Reserve Soldiers play in protecting the American way of life and defending freedom across the globe.

"In places like Iraq, Afghanistan, the Horn of Africa, the Philippines and Latin America, Army Reservists are bringing their warrior skills and their civilian trades to the fights," Petraeus said. "That combination is particularly effective in the exceedingly complex environments we face today."

He added, Soldiers may be compensated for all that they give up to deploy, but that compensation is neither adequate nor reflective of why they re-enlist. Collectively, the Soldiers received more than $1.6 million in bonuses, but many of them said their love of the job was reason enough.

Sgt. 1st Class Annie Adams, of Balad's 316th Expeditionary Sustainment Command, said after 11 years in the Army Reserve, she loves being a Reserve Soldier and is proud of her service.

"I couldn't imagine not being in the Army Reserve," the Toronto, Ohio, native said.

Adams said being a part of the 100th anniversary of the Army Reserve and re-enlisting in Iraq was memorable.

"It's an absolute wonder," she said. "It's tremendous to be a part of this; an opportunity of a lifetime and I'll never forget it."

To mark the occasion, the New England Patriots donated two footballs, autographed by all players on the roster for the 2007 season. The winners of the footballs, selected by raffle the previous night, were presented the memorabilia by Lt. Gen. Jack C. Stultz, chief of the Army Reserve, and
Command Sgt. Maj. Leon Caffie, Army Reserve command sergeant major.

After the event, attendees watched a videotaped statement from television personality Ben Stein thanking the Soldiers on their dedication and commitment.

"I cannot tell you how indispensable you are," Stein said. "Everything we have, every right we have, every freedom we have, every gift, every blessing, everything we have is all thanks to you."

More activities to commemorate the century of service are planned in coming months in the nation's capital.