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Promotion ceremonies are important
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Who cares about promotion ceremonies? We all should. For more than 200 years, the United States Army has followed a certain set of traditions. Promotion ceremonies serve as a celebrations for newly promoted soldiers. The purpose of the ceremonies is to render honor, preserve traditions and stimulate esprit de corps.
Coming from a long family history of military tradition, Maj. Gen. Robert “Abe” Abrams has revived promotion ceremonies on Fort Stewart, turning them back into formal events that pay homage to soldiers and their families for their sacrifices and their contributions.
Brig. Gen. John Hort, 3rd Infantry Division rear detachment deputy commander, was promoted to his current rank Jan. 4. He now will wear a single silver star on his shoulder.
The U.S. code of law allows for only 230 active-duty general officers. Eligible officers go through a rigorous screening process before their packets eventually reach the president.
On the advice of the secretary of defense, the president nominates officers from the promotion list. Once the president makes his selections, the list is presented to the Senate for a majority vote before the officers can be promoted.
Hort has served 27 years in the military, including four deployments and variety of command positions. His most significant awards include the Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf Cluster, Bronze Star with Valor, Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster and Combat Infantry Badge with star. He also is a Ranger and is airborne-qualified.
While the pomp and circumstance surrounding promotion ceremonies may seem unnecessary to some, the revitalization of such events on Fort Stewart/Hunter Army Airfield creates a great atmosphere and prompts other soldiers to recognize what they can aspire to. The ceremonies also give surrounding communities a glimpse into great Army traditions.

Eusebio is the public information assistant for Southeast Georgia Friends of Fort Stewart and Hunter.

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