I would like to thank all of you Quartermasters for such a warm welcome home. I am still shaking out the sand from my gear. I really look forward to settling down and applying lessons learned to our training strategy - the crucial training the Army has charged us to administer to the world’s finest Soldiers.

     Our Quartermaster warriors in Iraq are plying their trade in hard places. They are "Supporting Victory" against a determined and adaptive enemy. Quartermaster Soldiers that I saw in action on the battlefield were true Warrior Logisticians. They are a big force multiplier in Iraq. I saw heavy lifting, loading, planning, coordinating, transporting, and let us not forget the guard duties and patrols. Even under these tough conditions, Quartermaster Soldiers were motivated and proactive. The Mortuary Affairs Specialists (92M) are as busy as they have ever been, unfortunately. They are taking on the inevitable and somber task of caring for our fallen comrades. The Parachute Riggers (92R) are breaking new ground in the area of precision airdrop. The Laundry and Textile Specialists (92S) continue to be favorites in the brutally dusty climate. Showers are in great demand always. The Water Treatment Specialists (92W) are purifying water at high and sustained rates. The Unit Supply Specialists (92Y) are dedicated to keeping their respective units fit and ready. The Petroleum Supply Specialists (92F) are "in the fight" across the battlespace. We all know the job of the Food Service Specialists (92G), seven days a week, day-in and day-out staying motivated and putting forth every effort to help maintain the high level of morale in their units. The Petroleum Laboratory Specialists (92L) are doing their part to make sure that Class III (petroleum, oils and lubricants) products are meeting specifications for the high mileage and hours on vehicles necessary to US forces in Iraq. Our Soldiers remain vigilant and dedicated to "Supporting Victory." I refer you to my article, "Supporting Victory in Operation Iraqi Freedom," in this edition of the Quartermaster Professional Bulletin for further details on my mission in Iraq.

     Congratulations to the winners of the Chief of Staff, Army, Supply Excellence Award Program. Unit personnel put forth their best efforts and utilized every ounce of knowledge and talents to be the best in their categories of supply. It was truly a tough competition. I salute all of the units and individuals who competed in this year’s competition. Their individual and collective efforts caused their units to be even more battle ready and mission capable. They symbolize "the best of the best," thereby benefiting their units and ultimately, the Army.

     I would like to farewell two truly outstanding Warrior Logisticians. COL William A. "Bill" Jenks took the helm of the US Army Quartermaster Center and School during my deployment to Iraq and did an outstanding job. He kept the schoolhouse focused on training our Soldiers by instilling in them a "Warrior First" mentality and restructuring our Logistics Warrior field exercise with lessons learned from Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. We must not forget these lessons if we are to continue to provide combatant commanders with the right materiel, at the right time and at the right place.

     On 2 Sep 04, we farewelled another great Warrior Logistician, Major General Terry E. Juskowiak, the 47th Quartermaster General. Through his illustrious career as a leader and logistician, MG Juskowiak has made a lasting impact on the Quartermaster Corps. His legacy will live on in an organization ready, willing and able to do our nation’s bidding. On a personal note, I want to thank MG Juskowiak and his gracious wife Susan for their mentorship and support over the many years of our association. Most importantly, thank you for your friendship.

     We wish these great Americans much success in their retirements and future endeavors. We thank them for their many years of dedicated and selfless service to the Quartermaster Corps, the Army and our nation. We are a better Army and a better Corps for their selfless service.

     I would like to close with a reminder: remember to keep Soldiers, Marines, Sailors and Airmen combating the global war on terrorism in your thoughts and prayers. They are shouldering the burden of honoring our non-negotiable contract with the people of America, to fight and win our nation’s wars. The Quartermaster Corps must continue to prepare Soldiers to honor this contract and stay the course.

     Supporting Victory!