English: Honoring the Past, Present and Future

Orlando, Fla. - Thunderstorms did not stop dozens of Soldiers, retired service members and their families from gathering at Moss Park in Orlando Sept. 11, 2021, for the inaugural 143d Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) / 143d Transportation Command alumni reunion.

Soldiers who served with the 143d as far back as the 1980s reunited with their brothers- and sisters-in-arms while sharing stories of their respective missions, mobilizations, and deployments while serving in the 143d. Service members formally introduced themselves and exchanged contact information over a catered lunch provided by Veterans Hardwood Smoked BBQ.

In honor of the 20th anniversary of September 11, those in attendance dedicated a moment of silence to the victims of the tragedy and paid tribute to all first responders and service members who answered the call on that fateful day and those served in the ensuing conflicts in the two decades that followed.

Retired Command Sgt. Maj. Michael D. Schultz, who once served as the command sergeant major of the 143d ESC, command sergeant major of the U.S. Army Reserve, and, most recently, the senior enlisted advisor for the Assistant Secretary of Defense, presented a plaque to retired Master Sgt. Claudine "CJ" Jarrett-Gomez for her efforts as the chief organizer for the reunion.

"I want to thank each attendee for reuniting with past members and meeting and making new friends," said Jarrett-Gomez. "This event was successful because of you and any future success will be based solely on your efforts to spread the word to other former and current members of the 143d of this reunion effort."

Jarett-Gomez and her planning committee seek to make the alumni reunion an annual affair.

Photo and story by Staff Sgt. John L. Carkeet IV, 3-347th Training Support Battalion and 143d ESC alumnus (2010-2018).