Pentagon Officials Present Two-Millionth Honoree with U.S. Army Freedom Team Salute Commendation

Army recognizes Iraq Veteran in conjunction with 234th Army Birthday
EAST CHICAGO, Ind.--(Business Wire)--
In conjunction with the Army`s 234th birthday, Pentagon officials from the U.S.
Army Freedom Team Salute program honored Army Veteran and Wounded Warrior, SGT
Christopher Meyers, as its two-millionth recipient of the Freedom Team Salute
Commendation. Following that recognition, Freedom Team Salute and SGT Meyers
recognized and thanked his Army Veteran spouse, PFC Sara Meyers, and their two
children, for their sacrifice and support. Also, Meyers` employer, U.S. Steel,
was recognized for it`s commitment to employing U.S. Army Veterans. In addition,
seventy volunteers from Operation Support Our Service Members (SOS) were
presented commendations recognizing their efforts in sending care packages to
deployed service members.

"I am absolutely humbled to be selected as the two millionth Freedom Team Salute
honoree," said Meyers. "This is a special day for my family and me, especially
with my wife also being an Army Veteran. I accept this commendation on behalf of
the Soldiers I served with who made the ultimate sacrifice and didn`t make it
back home. I`m blessed."

Colonel David Griffith, Director of U.S. Army Freedom Team Salute, explained,
"Two years ago U.S. Army Freedom Team Salute recognized its one-millionth
honoree, a Vietnam Veteran. Recognizing SGT Meyers, an Iraq Veteran, as our
two-millionth honoree, is gratifying to everyone involved. We are pleased to be
able to also honor his wife with a Veteran commendation for her years of service
with the Army Reserve and as an Active Duty Soldier."

Meyers joined the Army as a high school junior in 1996 under the Delayed Entry
Program (DEP) and served on Active Duty from June 1997 through December 2004.
Meyers served in the Sunni Triangle in Iraq from September 2003 until July 2004
when he was wounded in a mortar attack. While in Iraq, Meyers was assigned to
the 331st Signal Company, 1st Brigade, 1st Infantry Division and was attached to
the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force.

His military decorations and medals received include: Army Commendation Medal,
Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal,
Kosovo Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Global War on
Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, NATO Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional
Development Ribbon, and Army Overseas Ribbon. Other duty assignments include
Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 17th Field Artillery Brigade/141st Signal
Battalion, 1st Armored Division. Meyers has been recommended to receive the
Purple Heart.

Sunday`s ceremony was held in conjunction with Operation Support Our Service
Members (SOS) to thank local businesses, government agencies, elected officials,
students, and volunteers in its first ever awards luncheon. Operation SOS
volunteers also received U.S. Army Freedom Team SaluteCommendations for their
ongoing efforts to provide packages to deployed troops.

U.S. Army Freedom Team Salutewas established in 2005 by the Secretary of the
Army and Army Chief of Staff to give the public the opportunity to thank all
U.S. Army Veterans for their service by recognizing them with Commendations. The
program also honors and recognizes the Parents, Spouses, Supporters, and
Employers of Active Duty, Army Reserve, and National Guard Soldiers.
Commendations consist of a personalized letter and certificate signed by the
Honorable Pete Geren, Secretary of the Army, and General George W. Casey Jr.,
Army Chief of Staff. Honorees also receive official Army lapel pins and the The
Salute, a quarterly newsletter that contains information on today`s Army.

For more information please visit www.freedomteamsalute.com.

U.S. Army Freedom Team Salute
Lindsey Brothers
703-325-3965 (office)
410-977-2082 (cell)
lindsey.brothers@us.army.mil

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