May 26, 2010

White House defense liaison to speak in Bristol Sunday

Press release from Mayor Art Ward:
On Sunday, May 30, 2010, a special breakfast will be held at the American Legion Post #2 at 9:00 am with the guest of honor being Michele S. Jones. She is a female veteran who will be speaking to youth groups and female veterans about her service in the military and her role as Defense Liaison to the White House. The 6th Annual Bristol Veterans Council Memorial Day Weekend is dedicated, this year, to female veterans. The breakfast is open to all female veterans in the City and any youth groups that would like to hear her speak. If you are interested in attending, please contact the Mayor’s Office at 860-584-6250. After the breakfast, the exhibits and other events will open on Memorial Boulevard. If you would like more information on the event, you can find it on the City of Bristol website at www.ci.bristol.ct.us.
Michele S. Jones was appointed as the Special Assistant to the Secretary of Defense White House Liaison on July 20, 2009. She is responsible for the management of the Department of Defense staffing, recruitment, vetting and clearance process for political personnel, and boards and commission appointments. She serves as the principal DoD contact with the Presidential Personnel Office, White House Military Office and is the principal DoD liaison for the White House Political Affairs Office, White House Intergovernmental Affairs and the President’s Council on Women and Girls. Ms. Jones is responsible for special projects as determined by the Offices of the President, Vice President, First Lady and other White House agencies. She coordinates with White House staff, Members of Congress, senior DoD officials, and top officials in other agencies. Additionally, she conducts the final review and approval of all Office of the Secretary of Defense, Defense Agencies, Army, Navy and Air Force experts and consultants.
Ms. Jones served as the 9th Command Sergeant Major (CSM) of the Army Reserve from October 2002 through August 2006. She retired on March 1, 2007 after 25 years of service in both the active and Reserve components. As the CSM of the Army Reserve, she was the chief advisor on all enlisted soldier matters. She was an advocate for Army Reserve enlisted soldiers at all levels within the Army, Department of Defense, Congress and the media. She served on multiple councils, boards and testified before congressional committees and subcommittees that made decisions, recommendations and legislative changes affecting soldiers and their families.
She distinguished herself as being the first woman selected as class president at the United States Sergeants Major Academy (Class 48), the first woman to serve as a division CSM, and culminating as the first woman to serve as the CSM of any of the Army’s components, active or Reserve. Prior to her retirement, she held the highest Noncommissioned Officer position of any woman in the Army.
A career Soldier, Ms. Jones held many positions of leadership from squad leader, section leader, Platoon Sergeant, First Sergeant and Command Sergeant Major. Some of her career highlights include assignments to 78th Division, (Training Support), Edison, NJ; United States Army Special Operations Command (Airborne Troop Program Unit), Fort Bragg, NC; United States Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command (Airborne) Fort Bragg, NC; 82~ Airborne Division, Fort Bragg; 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, CO.
She has served during every major contingency operation including Operations Desert Shield/Storm, Restore Hope, Provide Comfort, Joint Endeavor and Nobel Eagle.
******
Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

42 comments:

Anonymous said...

Art had nothing to do with her coming to Bristol: Pat Nelligan deserves the credit.

But not surprising that Art is out front with the announcement.

Anonymous said...

Oh no another women smarter then Ward - hope he can handle it!

Anonymous said...

Another veterans event, why am I not surprised?

Anonymous said...

are you kidding my dog rosey is smarter than ward

Anonymous said...

12:07 If your dog Rosie was so smart she wouldn't have you for a owner!

Anonymous said...

8:50

Aren't we all?

Anonymous said...

At least Ms Jones can remeber where she served.

Anonymous said...

Thank you for your service Ms. Jones. Unlike the president, you are participating in the true meaning of Memorial Day...that of hornoring our troops, past and present, those who are living and those who are not living, for their service, duty and sacrifice for our country.

?????????? said...

the article was a press release from the mayor's office and didn't say/imply anything about ward taking credit for anything.

Tim Gamache Vice Chair Veterans Council said...

The Mayors' office was asked by the Veterans Council to do this press release in order to get the word out.
11:52 Just a reminder.Memorial Day occurs every year.It is a day to reflect on,show respect and appreciation for all those exrtaordinary men and women who gave their "last full measure of devotion" to ensure the way of life we all(even you) enjoy.Do you feel one day out of 365 is unreasonable?

Anonymous said...

7:37

Nor did he give anybody credit for getting the speaker.

Since his name was the only one mentioned, he apparently wanted to create the image that it was his doing.

And he wonders why people won't work with him?

Anonymous said...

"Thank you for your service Ms. Jones. Unlike the president, you are participating in the true meaning of Memorial Day...that of hornoring our troops, past and present, those who are living and those who are not living, for their service, duty and sacrifice for our country."

I guess it's not good enough for some people that President Obama is going home to Chicago and paying respects at a veterans cemetery there? You Republicans can be a bunch of ignorant jerks.

Anonymous said...

rosey the dog for mayor!!!!!

Embarrased for you said...

1. Unless we're in 3rd grade, nobody needs to be assigned the "credit" for anything.
2. Another veteran's event? Hello 11:52 - it's MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND. Veteran's events are kind of what it's all about.
3. If Rosey the dog was so smart, she would have run away a long time ago.

LMAO!

Anonymous said...

12:07 AM: Judging from the stupidity of your comment,it's not a real stretch to imagine that you think your dog is so smart. Hell, I've got a hamster who's probably smarter than you too!

Anonymous said...

Uhmm 2:52, veterans events are for VETERAN's DAY. This is MEMORIAL DAY, when we honor the DEAD, not the living. They've been turned into the same thing. Too much praising living veterans for their service on Memorial Day, not enough memorializing for the dead.

Embarrassed for you said...

3:51 PM

Uhmmm....Memorial day is a day to honor those who gave their lives, but also to recognize those who fought along with them. It's also about the men and women who are still fighting for our Country today. It's a day to remember and to reflect. It's personal. If you don't want to attend "veteran's events"...don't.

Please don't use this meaningful holiday as an opportunity to bash veterans. For once...just zip it, please.

Anonymous said...

ah you guys are just jelous of rosey the dog and the hampster is probably smarter

Yankee said...

4:12, who is "bashing veterans"? It's perfectly valid to question why Memorial Day has been turned into another Veteran's Day. Please don't accuse people of something like "bashing veterans" when they are pointing out a basic fact that disproves your incorrect belief.

Here is the Veteran's Administration description of Memorial Day from the US government website:

"Memorial Day, which is observed on the last Monday of May, commemorates the men and women who died while in the military service. In observance of the holiday, many people visit cemeteries and memorials, and volunteers often place American flags on each grave site at national cemeteries. A national moment of remembrance takes place at 3:00 p.m. local time."

Please tell me where honoring living veterans figures into this holiday honoring the dead? Please tell me how, as you say, this is also about "recognizing those who fought along with them. It's also about the men and women who are still fighting for our Country today."

I'm sorry but you are wrong, poster 4:22. Or is the US Government VA bashing veterans too?

Embarrassed for you said...

"Please tell me how, as you say, this is also about "recognizing those who fought along with them."
_______________________________

Well, let me see if I can put it in a way that even YOU can understand. My dad was a veteran. He saw action during WWII. He saw plenty. He didn't like to talk about it much, but he carried that with him for the rest of his life. He's gone now, but I'd like to believe that Memorial Day is about him (even though he didn't die while in the millitary service). It is to me anyway. Like I said,it's personal. So please, spare me your right/wrong bullshit. If you don't want to recognize vets on Memorial Day just because they were lucky (and some times not so lucky) to have survived, then don't. Nobody's going to make you. You're free to do or say whatever you please (but maybe you should thank a vet for that).

Embarrassed for you said...

'Please tell me where honoring living veterans figures into this holiday honoring the dead?"
___________________________________

No one said anything about "honoring" the vets. It should be obvious, even to the most cynical jerk, that only the "living veterans" can tell the stories of those who gave all. They were there. Of course they "figure" into Memorial Day events. Once again, if you don't want to listen to their stories or show them a little respect..DON'T. It's a free Country now, isn't it?

Anonymous said...

To Embarassed, if that's what you want to make of Memorial Day by recognizing the living veterans and thanking them and all of that (which is what you clearly said), that's your choice, but that is not what the Memorial Day holiday is for. You obviously disagree with the government Veteran's Administration interpretation of this holiday, that's your choice, but don't criticize people who believe the holiday should be observed as it was intended to be observed.

Embarrassed for you said...

"if that's what you want to make of Memorial Day by recognizing the living veterans and thanking them (which is what you clearly said)"
__________________________________

Thank you. It is what I want to make of Memorial Day...I clearly said NOTHING about thanking the "living vets," Only, that I recognized them for the role they play as story-tellers for those who can no longer speak...and yes, it is my choice to observe the holiday in the way that I see fit. My father fought for that right (even if he wasn't killed during military service). You are free to observe the holiday any way you see fit...thanks to those who served (those who died, and believe it or not, those who survived).

BTW, You are the one who initially critized MY beliefs in your 3:51 PM rant. Observe the holiday as you wish...someone fought to give you that right.

Anonymous said...

Ward will take credit where and anywhere he can! He had nothing to do with Memorial Day planning, but rest assure he will be in the photo ops and limelight. I just hope Ward doesn't take advantage of the women veterans this weekend!
Ward thinks he is the best thing since white bread!!

He is nothing but a fat dough boy!

Anonymous said...

Maybe someone should clue her in to how Ward takes avantage of women veterans to suit his fantasies.
Ward is a sick man who needs help.

Anonymous said...

Embarrassed: you are full of it because you clearly said Memorial Day is about living veterans when you wrote it's a day "to recognize those who fought along with them. It's also about the men and women who are still fighting for our Country today." Again, you are trying to turn Memorial Day into another Veteran's Day.

Anonymous said...

7:47

The more appropriate expression is " the best thing since canned beer".

Anonymous said...

7:47/8:31 - Get some help.

Incredibly embarrased for you said...

RECOGNIZE, not honor. Of course we have to RECOGNIZE the fact that the veterans are involved in Memorial Day events. They are the only ones who can tell us what the men and women who died cannot.

In reality, I also RECOGNIZE that I'm wasting time talking to someone who has an obvious problem with veterans. Enjoy your Memorial Day weekend.


BTW, the men and women who are still fighting for our Country today are NOT veterans, but unfortunately, some of them will be able to participate in YOUR idea of what Memorial Day should only be about. Maybe you can HONOR them then?

Anonymous said...

Nice try, Embarrassed, but that's not what you meant and you know it.

To Recognize=To Honor.

AnonymousWestconnStudent said...

The mental masturbation on the meaning of memorial day aside, this speaker is a real coup.

She has been an intergral part of the Obama Administration (and Bush Administration) defense policy and military strategy.

She is extremely intelligent and educated.

Her accomplishments scream "roll model" to any young women in this city who would hope to seek out a professional career in spite of a sexist atmosphere that permeates this city and a nationwide culture that pictures young women as bimbo's (often personified by media like MTV and the internet).

The holiday aside this is a great opportunity and you should all pull your heads out of your asses.

Anonymous said...

Ms. Jones was outstanding!

Very nice of her to come to what could be called " The Mayor Art Ward Show".

Anonymous said...

8:18am - for telling the truth? Ward knows he is a loser, just like his buddy John Boi.

Anonymous said...

5:27

Just came back from teh Memorial Day program on the Boulevard.

Have to agree, it seems like the program was written to showcase Ward.

Lets get back to teh real reason for Memorial Day.

Anonymous said...

11:31 AM, I was there too. I thought the ceremony was very nice with the mayor participating in the program as any mayor should. You're obviously taking a cheap shot at your favorite target. Pretty disrespectful of you to pull that seeing what day it is.

Now, let's get back to the real reason for Memorial Day.

Anonymous said...

3:27

I wasn't there, but based on other events, I am not surprised to see Ward take center stage.

Fallen veterans, current veterans, current service personnel, OK, but lets keep the politicians, and the politics out of it.

Anonymous said...

8:09, You weren't there so you didn't "see Ward take center stage." I was there. He didn't. And if it's okay for current veterans (BTW, that's the only type there are. You're only a vet if you survive), then Ward fit right in, he is a veteran.

There was no talk of politics, just a solemn, respectful ceremony honoring those who died in service to our Country. Maybe you should have been there?

Anonymous said...

7:33

Were you there when the Democrat town Committee was mentioned at least one dozen times?

Tim Gamache said...

7:33 Nice try.Were you also aware the DTC was the sponsor for the second annual CSM Anthony V. Savino scholarship?IF you were truly paying attention,you SHOULD have ascertained the presentation was all about the recipient(an exceptional young woman) and the extraordinary man for whom the scholarship is named.I would greatly appreciate it if you would refrain from tainting the names or reputations of either of these fine individuals.Spread your usual vitriol somewhere else.
P.S. Try showing a little courage and integrity by signing your name.

Anonymous said...

6:54

Tim, isn't it ironic that the scholarship is awarded at a function such as this?
Why not do it at the High School where other scholarships are awarded, or even at he Elks?
What if next year, the Tea Party wants to honor somebody?
Will they be allowed to do so?
Will YOU support that?

Tim Gamache said...

6:54 Well "anonymous",the teapartiers WERE present(at least the flag was there)and no one raised an issue.AGAIN,nice try.

Anonymous said...

Timmy,

But they didn't get to speak, nor were they mentioned. ONLY the Democrat Town committee.

Are you a member of the town committee?