The John F. Gathers Global Sergeants Major (JFGGSGM) Chapter members enjoyed an excellent turnout for its formal activation ceremony at the Fort Belvoir, VA Community Center on 20 February 2024. The AGCRA National Executive Council approved the JFGGSGM Chapter effective 18 January 2023, and the activation ceremony formalized the official status of the Chapter. The Chapter is named in memory of the late CSM John F. Gathers, whose career culminated as the longest-tenured Human Resources Command (HRC) Command Sergeant Major from January 2005 to October 2011.
The event was highly memorable and served as a great tribute to CSM Gather’s legacy. The nearly 100 attendees included retired SGMs, former HRC team members, family, and friends. The Chapter Executive Vice President, SGM (Ret) Gabriella Russum, opened the ceremony by asking participants to share personal memories about their time served with CSM Gathers.
The Chapter members were elated to have COL (Ret) Rob Manning as the guest speaker. His inspiring words and expert knowledge shared about the AGCRA benefits and networking were a great learning experience for all. COL (Ret) Manning and the Chapter President, CSM (Ret) Stan Ashford, presented the JFGGSGM Certificate of Appreciation to the Gathers family, represented by CSM Gathers’ nephew, SGT Xavier Dinkins, to acknowledge appreciation for their unfailing support of CSM Gathers’ legacy.
COL (Ret) Manning and CSM (Ret) Ashford also presented the AGCRA COL Robert L. Manning Achievement Medal to CSM (Ret) Darlene Hagood, CSM (Ret) Charles Pullman, and SGM (Ret) Mike Walker. Additionally, they presented the Chapter President’s Lifetime Volunteer Achievement Award to CSM (Ret) Tammy White-McKnight and SGM (Ret) Gabriella Russum.
The ceremony culminated with CSM (Ret) Stan Ashford and COL (Ret) Rob Manning leading the traditional cake-cutting event. The ceremony was an outstanding tribute to CSM Gathers’ legacy and a great time for fellowship, which ultimately became a small AG reunion.
