TACOM engages with Detroit Pistons, community to honor Veterans

Official Statements

• U.S. Army Tank-automotive and Armaments Command, November 13: “DETROIT, Mich. — As America’s Veterans were celebrated and remembered throughout the country for their service, the U.S. Army Tank-automotive and Armaments Command engaged with its Detroit-based community partners to honor the legacy of the men and women who embodied their commitment to the Constitution. TACOM Commanding General Brig. Gen. Beth A. Behn, representing TACOM at the Detroit Pistons Hoops for Troops Veterans Day game, met with and administered the Oath of Enlistment to 48 service-members-to-be standing together at halftime at Little Caesars Arena’s center court.”

• U.S. Army Tank-automotive and Armaments Command, November 13: “Pledging to uphold and defend the Constitution, the recruits represented a new generation of men and women ready to carry on the values and service of the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines.”

• U.S. Army Tank-automotive and Armaments Command, November 13: “TACOM’s engagements to honor Veterans Day also took on a reflective tone for Behn as she gave her thoughts as the featured guest speaker for the City of Warren’s Veterans Day Breakfast. As the nation celebrates its 250 years of independence, Behn emphasized the personal significance of Veterans Day - and why service is worth recognizing in the first place.”

• U.S. Army Tank-automotive and Armaments Command, November 13: “It isn’t simply about remembering the battles our nation has fought,” Behn said, speaking to the crowd of community members and 160 Veterans. “It’s about recognizing the people who were willing to fight them. Freedom has always been defended by ordinary Americans willing to do extraordinary things.” “The circumstances [throughout America’s history] have changed. The technology has evolved and the challenges have grown increasingly complex. But the American service member - the courage, the resilience, the willingness to sacrifice - remains remarkably constant.”

• U.S. Army Tank-automotive and Armaments Command, November 13: “Behn also spoke about how she had administered the same Oath of Enlistment taken by each of the breakfast’s Veterans to the group of 48 new recruits at the Pistons game the day before. She hoped that “years from now, those new recruits will also be Veterans honored at similar events in the future because the gratefulness of our nation to those who serve will remain a constant in our society.”

• U.S. Army Tank-automotive and Armaments Command, November 13: “Acknowledging the willingness of Veterans to make extraordinary personal sacrifices for their country and communities, Behn personally reflected on what missing key moments due to service looked like for her. She noted that Veterans, in their willingness to serve, “missed birthdays, anniversaries, holidays and milestones that could never be recreated.” Behn recalled that she missed her son’s first steps - a core moment that couldn’t be replicated.”

• U.S. Army Tank-automotive and Armaments Command, November 13: “We also remember the Families that carried the uncertainty of deployments and the weight of waiting for loved ones to come home,” said Behn. “And that some of those who did return came home carrying wounds - visible and invisible - that would remain long after their service ended.” The commitment of these Veterans and their Families, she noted, was a service and sacrifice deserving of gratitude. Behn closed with a direct call to action for the audience.”

• U.S. Army Tank-automotive and Armaments Command, November 13: “As we look toward the future, our responsibility is to honor the legacy of our Veterans not only in ceremonies like this, but through our actions,” she said “Service isn’t defined by rank, position or recognition. It’s defined by character, the willingness to put others first and by doing what is right even when it’s difficult. Preserving their experiences, listening to their stories and ensuring that our Veterans know that their sacrifices are remembered and appreciated is how we honor that service.”