So for the last few days I've been in Reston VA taking care of Cousin Ry who just had his neck operated on. Did some sightseeing:
Also visited the grave of one of my old classmates Jerome Pionk at Arlington National Cemetery.
Jerome was just an average student and athlete in high school but turned out to be our class's brightest star after joining the Army. ____________________________________________________________________________
JEROME LEE PIONK (Age 63) Of Woodbridge, VA died suddenly on August 13, 2014 at Virginia Medical Center in Arlington, VA. Jerome was born in Watertown, South Dakota on August 31, 1950 to Jerome Ambrose Pionk and Helen (Heaton) Pionk. He Graduated from Watertown High School in 1968. In response to the draft, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Delayed Entry Program in 1969 and entered basic training at Ft. Lewis, Washington. In 1971, he married Song Yo Kim and would go on to have two children. He served his country for over 30 years on active duty until his retirement as Sergeant Major in April of 2000 and also held a commission in the rank of Major with the U.S. Army Reserve. On active duty he served as a Construction Equipment Repairer, a Mechanical Maintenance Supervisor, a Recruiter, and as a Retention Non-Commissioned Officer. During his career, he spent over 10 years assigned in the Republic of Korea. He also served at Ft. Hood, Texas, and at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. He then went on to take recruiting assignments in Iowa, South Dakota, and Minnesota. He subsequently served at the Army's Personnel Center in St. Louis, Mo., and concluded his career in the Army's Senior Retention Policy Proponent as its most senior non-commissioned officer. He was named the Army's Career Counselor of the Century upon his retirement. Jerome Lee Pionk received his Doctorate in Business and Human Resources from North Central University, after receiving a Master's of Arts Degree from Liberty University and a Bachelor of Science Degree from the State University of New York. After retiring from the U.S. Army, Dr. Pionk was working both as a Professor at American Military University and continuing his service at the Pentagon as a consultant for the Army as well as other agencies with human resources related programs including: Army Incentives, Manag- ing an annual incentives budget as high as $1 Billion to bring in an average of over 140,000 soldiers each year, and supporting the Disabled Soldier Support System. As part of his duties, he was selected for the prestigious honor of service as a member of the Army Board for Correction of Military Records. Dr. Pionk was a decorated soldier, and his list of awards includes the Legion of Merit, numerous awards of the Meritorious Service, Army Commendation, Army Achievement and Good Conduct Medals. He received the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for his operations service in Korea, and Armed Forces Service Medal for his operations service in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Dr. Pionk was also awarded the National Defense Service & Armed Forces reserve medals and also received the Army NCO Professional Development Ribbon. Dr. Pionk is the author of three books: "Prairie Vignettes", a collection of short stories about his South Dakota childhood; "Distinguished Veterans who made a Difference", and "The History of Military Retention", a complied archive of major events that impacted the retention of military personnel during times of war and peace. He was also an active supporter of veterans until the day he died. He founded the Association of Military Recruiters and Career Counselors (AMRAC) in 1994 and acted as its Executive Director. With a membership of over 500 strong, AMRAC continues to assist dozens of veterans and their families, awarding scholarships and recognizing veterans for their service. In addition to AMRAC, Dr. Pionk was the Vice-President of the Second Infantry Division (2ID) Association and with that organization also continued to support Soldiers of that storied division. A world traveler, he visited over 30 countries and had friends and colleagues all over the world. His loss came as a great shock to all, and he will be deeply missed. Jerome is survived by his wife, Song; his son LTC Jerome L. Pionk, U.S. Army (Michelle); and daughter Angela Lee Curtis (William); and four grandchildren, Tristan James, Nya Gwen, Esme Margaret, and William Jaxon. One Sister, Rhonda Alice Bradberry (Richard). Brother-in-Law, Merlin Fleming. - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/washingtonpost/obituary.aspx?pid=172176179#sthash.htZ1A7Bm.dpuf
Also visited the grave of one of my old classmates Jerome Pionk at Arlington National Cemetery.
Jerome was just an average student and athlete in high school but turned out to be our class's brightest star after joining the Army. ____________________________________________________________________________
JEROME LEE PIONK (Age 63) Of Woodbridge, VA died suddenly on August 13, 2014 at Virginia Medical Center in Arlington, VA. Jerome was born in Watertown, South Dakota on August 31, 1950 to Jerome Ambrose Pionk and Helen (Heaton) Pionk. He Graduated from Watertown High School in 1968. In response to the draft, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Delayed Entry Program in 1969 and entered basic training at Ft. Lewis, Washington. In 1971, he married Song Yo Kim and would go on to have two children. He served his country for over 30 years on active duty until his retirement as Sergeant Major in April of 2000 and also held a commission in the rank of Major with the U.S. Army Reserve. On active duty he served as a Construction Equipment Repairer, a Mechanical Maintenance Supervisor, a Recruiter, and as a Retention Non-Commissioned Officer. During his career, he spent over 10 years assigned in the Republic of Korea. He also served at Ft. Hood, Texas, and at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. He then went on to take recruiting assignments in Iowa, South Dakota, and Minnesota. He subsequently served at the Army's Personnel Center in St. Louis, Mo., and concluded his career in the Army's Senior Retention Policy Proponent as its most senior non-commissioned officer. He was named the Army's Career Counselor of the Century upon his retirement. Jerome Lee Pionk received his Doctorate in Business and Human Resources from North Central University, after receiving a Master's of Arts Degree from Liberty University and a Bachelor of Science Degree from the State University of New York. After retiring from the U.S. Army, Dr. Pionk was working both as a Professor at American Military University and continuing his service at the Pentagon as a consultant for the Army as well as other agencies with human resources related programs including: Army Incentives, Manag- ing an annual incentives budget as high as $1 Billion to bring in an average of over 140,000 soldiers each year, and supporting the Disabled Soldier Support System. As part of his duties, he was selected for the prestigious honor of service as a member of the Army Board for Correction of Military Records. Dr. Pionk was a decorated soldier, and his list of awards includes the Legion of Merit, numerous awards of the Meritorious Service, Army Commendation, Army Achievement and Good Conduct Medals. He received the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for his operations service in Korea, and Armed Forces Service Medal for his operations service in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Dr. Pionk was also awarded the National Defense Service & Armed Forces reserve medals and also received the Army NCO Professional Development Ribbon. Dr. Pionk is the author of three books: "Prairie Vignettes", a collection of short stories about his South Dakota childhood; "Distinguished Veterans who made a Difference", and "The History of Military Retention", a complied archive of major events that impacted the retention of military personnel during times of war and peace. He was also an active supporter of veterans until the day he died. He founded the Association of Military Recruiters and Career Counselors (AMRAC) in 1994 and acted as its Executive Director. With a membership of over 500 strong, AMRAC continues to assist dozens of veterans and their families, awarding scholarships and recognizing veterans for their service. In addition to AMRAC, Dr. Pionk was the Vice-President of the Second Infantry Division (2ID) Association and with that organization also continued to support Soldiers of that storied division. A world traveler, he visited over 30 countries and had friends and colleagues all over the world. His loss came as a great shock to all, and he will be deeply missed. Jerome is survived by his wife, Song; his son LTC Jerome L. Pionk, U.S. Army (Michelle); and daughter Angela Lee Curtis (William); and four grandchildren, Tristan James, Nya Gwen, Esme Margaret, and William Jaxon. One Sister, Rhonda Alice Bradberry (Richard). Brother-in-Law, Merlin Fleming. - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/washingtonpost/obituary.aspx?pid=172176179#sthash.htZ1A7Bm.dpuf
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