{"id":14449,"date":"2023-06-09T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-06-09T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/?p=14449"},"modified":"2023-06-10T06:48:33","modified_gmt":"2023-06-10T06:48:33","slug":"soldiers-in-normandy-for-d-day-meet-secretary-of-defense","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/?p=14449","title":{"rendered":"Soldiers in Normandy for D-Day meet Secretary of Defense"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"editor-image single\">\n<figure class=\"photo cur-photo\">\n          <span class=\"centered-image\"><br \/>\n            <span class=\"img-container\"><br \/>\n              <a class=\"rich-text-img-link\" href=\"https:\/\/api.army.mil\/e2\/c\/images\/2023\/06\/09\/ccf290e5\/original.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><\/p>\n<p>              <\/a><br \/>\n                          <\/span><br \/>\n          <\/span><figcaption>\n                        <span class=\"image-caption\"><br \/>\n              <span class=\"caption-text\"><br \/>\n                Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin speaks to Soldiers participating in D-Day 79. 600 Soldiers from 19 different units supported the \u201cD-Day 79\u201d ceremonies in the week leading up to June 6. The events commemorated the sacrifices and accomplishments of the Allied troops who landed in Normandy on that date in 1944. Austin met with 20 Soldiers in the DFAC of the Logistics Support Area, run by the 207th Military Intelligence Brigade (Theater).<br \/>\n                <span class=\"caption-author\"> (Photo Credit: 1st Lt. Katherine Sibilla)<\/span><br \/>\n              <\/span><br \/>\n              <a href=\"https:\/\/api.army.mil\/e2\/c\/images\/2023\/06\/09\/ccf290e5\/original.jpg\" title=\"View original\" target=\"_blank\">VIEW ORIGINAL<\/a><br \/>\n            <\/span><br \/>\n          <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>SAINTE-M\u00c8RE-\u00c9GLISE, France \u2014 Amid commemorations for the 79th anniversary of D-Day, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin surprised at least one Soldier, Staff Sgt. Alexander Hrycyk, who did not expect to see the senior defense official in the dining facility.<\/p>\n<p>Hrycyk was among 600 Soldiers from 19 different units who supported the \u201cD-Day 79\u201d ceremonies in the week leading up to June 6. The events commemorated the sacrifices and accomplishments of the Allied troops who landed in Normandy on that date in 1944.<\/p>\n<p>Austin met with 20 Soldiers in the DFAC of the Logistics Support Area, run by the 207th Military Intelligence Brigade (Theater).<\/p>\n<div class=\"editor-image single\">\n<figure class=\"photo cur-photo\">\n          <span class=\"centered-image\"><br \/>\n            <span class=\"img-container\"><br \/>\n              <a class=\"rich-text-img-link\" href=\"https:\/\/api.army.mil\/e2\/c\/images\/2023\/06\/09\/3d70d1ca\/original.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><br \/>\n                <img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Soldiers in Normandy for D-Day meet Secretary of Defense\" src=\"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/size0-full-131.jpg\" \/><br \/>\n              <\/a><br \/>\n                          <\/span><br \/>\n          <\/span><figcaption>\n                        <span class=\"image-caption\"><br \/>\n              <span class=\"caption-text\"><br \/>\n                Soldiers speak to Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin about their experience participating in D-Day 79 ceremonies. 600 Soldiers from 19 different units supported the \u201cD-Day 79\u201d ceremonies in the week leading up to June 6. The events commemorated the sacrifices and accomplishments of the Allied troops who landed in Normandy on that date in 1944. Austin met with 20 Soldiers in the DFAC of the Logistics Support Area, run by the 207th Military Intelligence Brigade (Theater).<br \/>\n                <span class=\"caption-author\"> (Photo Credit: 1st Lt. Katherine Sibilla)<\/span><br \/>\n              <\/span><br \/>\n              <a href=\"https:\/\/api.army.mil\/e2\/c\/images\/2023\/06\/09\/3d70d1ca\/original.jpg\" title=\"View original\" target=\"_blank\">VIEW ORIGINAL<\/a><br \/>\n            <\/span><br \/>\n          <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>The 207th MIB (T) led the Task Force 79 mission command element from May 24 to June 7, synchronizing a large portion of the U.S. military\u2019s support to D-Day commemoration activities such as coordinating transportation to memorial sites and ceremonies, organizing accommodations and meals for Soldiers, and ensuring the safety and accountability of participants.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;With the same expertise, professionalism, and esprit de corps applied to operations on the African continent, the 207th Military Intelligence Brigade (Theater) provided high-caliber support to the D-Day 79 logistical and command and control mission, &#8221; explained Col. Stephen Skells, commander of the 207th Military Intelligence Brigade (Theater). &#8220;The Army, INSCOM, and I are proud of the team for the value provided to this incredibly significant event and for the personal and professional growth taken from it.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div class=\"editor-image photo-slideshow\">\n<figure class=\"photo cur-photo\">\n          <span class=\"centered-image\"><br \/>\n            <span class=\"img-container\"><br \/>\n              <a class=\"rich-text-img-link\" href=\"https:\/\/api.army.mil\/e2\/c\/images\/2023\/06\/09\/a146a120\/original.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><br \/>\n                <img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Soldiers in Normandy for D-Day meet Secretary of Defense\" src=\"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/size0-full-132.jpg\" \/><br \/>\n              <\/a><br \/>\n                              <span class=\"ss-move ss-prev\"><br \/>\n                  <span class=\"ss-move-button\"><\/span><br \/>\n                <\/span><br \/>\n                <span class=\"ss-move ss-next\"><br \/>\n                  <span class=\"ss-move-button\"><\/span><br \/>\n                <\/span><br \/>\n                          <\/span><br \/>\n          <\/span><figcaption>\n                          <span class=\"image-count\">1 \/ 3<\/span><br \/>\n              <span class=\"image-caption-button\"><br \/>\n                <span class=\"caption-button-text caption-button-hide\">Show Caption +<\/span><br \/>\n                <span class=\"caption-button-text caption-button-show\">Hide Caption \u2013<\/span><br \/>\n              <\/span><br \/>\n                        <span class=\"image-caption\"><br \/>\n              <span class=\"caption-text\"><br \/>\n                Col. Stephen Skells,commander of 207th Military Intelligence Brigade (Theater), speaks to Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin about the 207th MIB (T)&#8217;s role as the Task Force 79 mission command element. The 207th MIB (T) led the Task Force 79 mission command element from May 24 to June 7, synchronizing a large portion of the U.S. military\u2019s support to D-Day commemoration activities such as coordinating transportation to memorial sites and ceremonies, organizing accommodations and meals for Soldiers, and ensuring the safety and accountability of participants.<br \/>\n                <span class=\"caption-author\"> (Photo Credit: 1st Lt. Katherine Sibilla)<\/span><br \/>\n              <\/span><br \/>\n              <a href=\"https:\/\/api.army.mil\/e2\/c\/images\/2023\/06\/09\/a146a120\/original.jpg\" title=\"View original\" target=\"_blank\">VIEW ORIGINAL<\/a><br \/>\n            <\/span><br \/>\n          <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"photo\">\n          <span class=\"centered-image\"><br \/>\n            <span class=\"img-container\"><br \/>\n              <a class=\"rich-text-img-link\" href=\"https:\/\/api.army.mil\/e2\/c\/images\/2023\/06\/09\/b966ff70\/original.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><br \/>\n                <img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Soldiers in Normandy for D-Day meet Secretary of Defense\" src=\"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/size0-full-133.jpg\" \/><br \/>\n              <\/a><br \/>\n                              <span class=\"ss-move ss-prev\"><br \/>\n                  <span class=\"ss-move-button\"><\/span><br \/>\n                <\/span><br \/>\n                <span class=\"ss-move ss-next\"><br \/>\n                  <span class=\"ss-move-button\"><\/span><br \/>\n                <\/span><br \/>\n                          <\/span><br \/>\n          <\/span><figcaption>\n                          <span class=\"image-count\">2 \/ 3<\/span><br \/>\n              <span class=\"image-caption-button\"><br \/>\n                <span class=\"caption-button-text caption-button-hide\">Show Caption +<\/span><br \/>\n                <span class=\"caption-button-text caption-button-show\">Hide Caption \u2013<\/span><br \/>\n              <\/span><br \/>\n                        <span class=\"image-caption\"><br \/>\n              <span class=\"caption-text\"><br \/>\n                Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin speaks to Maj. Gen. Todd Wasmund, commanding general of U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa. 600 Soldiers from 19 different units who supported the \u201cD-Day 79\u201d ceremonies in the week leading up to June 6. The events commemorated the sacrifices and accomplishments of the Allied troops who landed in Normandy on that date in 1944. Austin met with 20 Soldiers in the DFAC of the Logistics Support Area, which was run by the 207th Military Intelligence Brigade (Theater).<br \/>\n                <span class=\"caption-author\"> (Photo Credit: 1st Lt. Katherine Sibilla)<\/span><br \/>\n              <\/span><br \/>\n              <a href=\"https:\/\/api.army.mil\/e2\/c\/images\/2023\/06\/09\/b966ff70\/original.jpg\" title=\"View original\" target=\"_blank\">VIEW ORIGINAL<\/a><br \/>\n            <\/span><br \/>\n          <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"photo\">\n          <span class=\"centered-image\"><br \/>\n            <span class=\"img-container\"><br \/>\n              <a class=\"rich-text-img-link\" href=\"https:\/\/api.army.mil\/e2\/c\/images\/2023\/06\/09\/8ca9a62b\/original.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><br \/>\n                <img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Soldiers in Normandy for D-Day meet Secretary of Defense\" src=\"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/size0-full-134.jpg\" \/><br \/>\n              <\/a><br \/>\n                              <span class=\"ss-move ss-prev\"><br \/>\n                  <span class=\"ss-move-button\"><\/span><br \/>\n                <\/span><br \/>\n                <span class=\"ss-move ss-next\"><br \/>\n                  <span class=\"ss-move-button\"><\/span><br \/>\n                <\/span><br \/>\n                          <\/span><br \/>\n          <\/span><figcaption>\n                          <span class=\"image-count\">3 \/ 3<\/span><br \/>\n              <span class=\"image-caption-button\"><br \/>\n                <span class=\"caption-button-text caption-button-hide\">Show Caption +<\/span><br \/>\n                <span class=\"caption-button-text caption-button-show\">Hide Caption \u2013<\/span><br \/>\n              <\/span><br \/>\n                        <span class=\"image-caption\"><br \/>\n              <span class=\"caption-text\"><br \/>\n                Before leaving Austin met Maj. Gen. Todd Wasmund, commanding general of U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa, Command Sgt. Maj. Reese Teakell, SETAF-AF command sergeant major, Col. Stephen Skells commander of 207th Military Intelligence Brigade (Theater), and Command Sgt. Maj. Maurice Parker, MIB (T) command sergeant major. Pictured left to right, Command Sgt. Maj. Maurice Parker, Col. Stephen Skells,  Command Sgt. Maj. Reese Teakell, Maj. Gen Todd Wasmund, and Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin.<br \/>\n                <span class=\"caption-author\"> (Photo Credit: 1st Lt. Katherine Sibilla)<\/span><br \/>\n              <\/span><br \/>\n              <a href=\"https:\/\/api.army.mil\/e2\/c\/images\/2023\/06\/09\/8ca9a62b\/original.jpg\" title=\"View original\" target=\"_blank\">VIEW ORIGINAL<\/a><br \/>\n            <\/span><br \/>\n          <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Headquartered in Vicenza, Italy, the 207th MIB(T) conducts Intelligence activities in support of Multi-Domain Operations from Competition to Crisis in support of the  USAFRICOM, USAREUR-AF, and SETAF-AF Commanders&#8217; operational decision-making in the USAFRICOM AOR, while building and maintaining intelligence readiness.<\/p>\n<p>Austin was at the Normandy American Cemetery, taking part in the ceremony prior to his stop to meet with Soldiers. He expressed his gratitude for their efforts in representing the U.S. Army during several ceremonies.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYou get to do a lot of things when you&#8217;re in the Army, but this [D-Day 79] you will remember the rest of your life,\u201d Austin said. \u201cThis is a part of your heritage,\u201d<\/p>\n<p>For Hrycyk, participating in D-Day shifted his perspective as to why serves, he said.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cD-Day renewed my motivation that I don&#8217;t do this for myself,\u201d Hrycyk continued. \u201cI do it for my family and, on a larger scale, for the collective well-being of others.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin speaks to Soldiers participating in D-Day 79. 600 Soldiers from 19 different units supported the \u201cD-Day 79\u201d ceremonies in the week leading up to June 6. The events commemorated the sacrifices and accomplishments of the Allied troops who landed in Normandy on that date in 1944. Austin met with [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":14451,"comment_status":"close","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-14449","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14449","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=14449"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14449\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":14457,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14449\/revisions\/14457"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/14451"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=14449"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=14449"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=14449"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}