Colorado hosts enlistment ceremony

More than 130 enlistees from recruiting stations in Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico and Wyoming all took the oath of enlistment in Colorado Springs as part of the Department of Colorado mid-winter conference on January 28.

U.S. Army Reserve Maj. Gen. Steven Best delivered the oath of enlistment to the future soldiers who are on delayed enlistment entry programs. Dignitaries from the Department of Colorado American Legion family were in attendance, as were members of the enlistee’s families.

The annual ceremony is the result of a 2008 agreement between the U.S. Army Recruiting Command in Denver and the Department of Colorado. This year’s was the third such ceremony conducted at the department’s mid-winter conference.

The ceremony was held on the opening day of the conference. During the ceremony, Department of Colorado Commander Richard Friend and National Vice Commander William Schrier encouraged the enlistees and their families to turn to The American Legion for support during and after their service.