thedrifter
04-19-08, 08:16 AM
USO’s Six Star Salute pampers 80 troops nominated to program
By T.D. Flack, Stars and Stripes
Pacific edition, Saturday, April 19, 2008
SEOUL — Eighty servicemembers from four countries were in Seoul this week for the United Service Organizations’ 37th annual Six Star Salute, which honors young military people.
The group — comprising 39 Americans, 39 South Koreans, one Filipino and one Thai, all of whom serve in South Korea — began two days of VIP treatment with a Dragon Hill Lodge luncheon sponsored by the American Forces Spouses Club on Thursday.
Rear Adm. Thomas S. Rowden, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Korea, spoke to the troops at the lunch.
He told them that every high-ranking officer or noncommissioned officer started at the bottom.
“Everyone understands what it’s like to be the junior person,” he told them. “I look around this room and see so much talent, so much potential.”
He challenged the troops — all of whom had been nominated for the program by their commands — to “actively pass on what you have learned to others.”
“Sharing the leadership skills that you have only makes you a better leader, and more importantly, it makes our military strength the best it can be.”
David Proch, executive director of USO Korea, said the program is a way to pay tribute to the young enlisted troops for their service.
Proch said the attendees were going to tour Seoul on Thursday and be honored a banquet. They also were to visit the Blue House — South Korea’s version of the White House — and the Korean War Memorial.
He said the banquet would be attended by nearly 800 people and provides the USO a chance to raise program funding.
Ellie
By T.D. Flack, Stars and Stripes
Pacific edition, Saturday, April 19, 2008
SEOUL — Eighty servicemembers from four countries were in Seoul this week for the United Service Organizations’ 37th annual Six Star Salute, which honors young military people.
The group — comprising 39 Americans, 39 South Koreans, one Filipino and one Thai, all of whom serve in South Korea — began two days of VIP treatment with a Dragon Hill Lodge luncheon sponsored by the American Forces Spouses Club on Thursday.
Rear Adm. Thomas S. Rowden, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Korea, spoke to the troops at the lunch.
He told them that every high-ranking officer or noncommissioned officer started at the bottom.
“Everyone understands what it’s like to be the junior person,” he told them. “I look around this room and see so much talent, so much potential.”
He challenged the troops — all of whom had been nominated for the program by their commands — to “actively pass on what you have learned to others.”
“Sharing the leadership skills that you have only makes you a better leader, and more importantly, it makes our military strength the best it can be.”
David Proch, executive director of USO Korea, said the program is a way to pay tribute to the young enlisted troops for their service.
Proch said the attendees were going to tour Seoul on Thursday and be honored a banquet. They also were to visit the Blue House — South Korea’s version of the White House — and the Korean War Memorial.
He said the banquet would be attended by nearly 800 people and provides the USO a chance to raise program funding.
Ellie