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WWI to present: 78th Training Division celebrates its history

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Nicole Dykstra
  • 78th Training Division Public Affairs
JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. --  Winter's seemingly never ending grasp was put aside as patent leather shoes reflected dusk's last moments of respite during a balmy almost-Spring day when soldiers from the 78th Training Division escorted their guests into the banquet hall during the division's annual Dining Out, March 15, 2014, at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J.

More than 150 service members and family members raised their glasses in a toast to Soldiers of the 78th Training Division, past and present. The host for the evening was Brig. Gen. Bruce E. Hackett, commanding general of the 78th.

Hackett was recently promoted to brigadier general in a ceremony in Coraopolis, Pa., and joins a long list of renowned commanders, including Maj. Gen. Hugh L. Scott, the seventh Chief of Staff of the Army; Maj. Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf, Sr., first superintendent of the New Jersey State Police; and Lt. Gen. James R. Helmly, former Chief of the Army Reserve.

"I took command eight months ago, and I must say I am deeply impressed with the professionalism of the organization and your dedication to the Lightning Division," Hackett said to those assembled at the Dining Out. "I am equally impressed with the level of commitment, collaboration and coordination you Soldiers displayed, on all fronts, in preparing for our 2014 Winter WAREX and CSTX. Your efforts have enabled us to build a closer relationship with Army Support Activity Dix and our Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst partners."

Hackett also thanked Army Col. Charles Coursey and Navy Capt. Christopher Fletcher, deputy commanders of Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, for their support of the 78th during the exercises.

"Our success is due in part to the outstanding support we have received from our Joint Base mission partners," said Hackett. "The seamless cooperation among our services exemplifies the joint nature of our military."

The 78th Training Division and Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst have been a major mobilization training team since World War I. From its activation on Aug. 23, 1917 at then-Camp Dix, the 78th has been an integral fixture on the installation, most recently providing dynamic, realistic and evaluative training to U.S. Army Reserve units preparing for deployments around the world.

The dining room of Tommy B's was adorned with an eye for history. Guests had an opportunity to speak with re-enactors of the 78th Infantry Division World War II Living History Association about their ongoing efforts to preserve the history of the division. The association also set up a display of World War II-era uniform pieces and artifacts for guests to view. Additionally, each table in the dining room was named with a small placard for a major battle or campaign associated with the history of the 78th.

The night's entertainment continued with the theme of historical remembrance and celebration. Dinner music and Dining Out traditions of playing the Call to Mess were provided by the jazz combo of the 78th Army Band, an Army Reserve unit composed of musicians who draw their lineage from 1943 when the band was constituted under the 78th Infantry Division. While members of the mess dined, they were shown a slideshow presentation of photos and artifacts from throughout the division's history.

In addition to the music provided by the 78th Army Band, four members of the USO Liberty Bells troupe donned patriotic uniforms and sang a variety of World War II-era songs, including "The Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy." The USO Liberty Bells draw their heritage from the Andrews Sisters during World War II and continue to perform for veteran events across the country.

The guest speaker for the evening was retired Command Sgt. Maj. Bart Womack, who reminded those in attendance, the importance of remembering our heritage and the sacrifices made by so many. Womack retired in 2006 with more than 29 years of active service. Among his many honorable positions, Womack served at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery as a sentinel and relief commander.

Fort Dix and the 78th have both had long traditions of training and preparing Soldiers for combat deployments from World War II to present day. From 1917 until the early 1990s, then-Fort Dix was a major basic training post - shaping thousands of civilians into Soldiers. During the Vietnam War a large scale, mock Vietnamese village was constructed on the installation.

The Lightning Division will continue its mission to provide dynamic, realistic and evaluative training to US Army Reserve units as they prepare for deployment throughout the world and remain one of the premier training organizations in the U.S. Army Reserves.

For photos of the Dining Out, please visit www.flickr.com/photos/120495417@N08/