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JOINT BASE BALAD, IRAQ — Service members from across Iraq gathered in Joint Base Balad to re-enlist and commemorate Veteran’s Day November 11.

Two hundred eighty five Soldiers and Airmen from the 3d Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) and Joint Base Balad raised their right hand and recited the oath of enlistment with Brig. Gen. Michael J. Lally, the 3d ESC’s commanding general.

One of those raising their hand Tuesday was Spc. Sharla Edwards, a Bradenton, Fla. resident. Spc. Edwards has served 10 years in the Army.

“For 233 years, the men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces have raised their hands and spoken the words these heroes in front of you will speak today,” Lally said. “For our Nation to be successful — for us to sustain our freedoms — we must be willing to serve.”

Concluding Lally’s speech, the formation of service members raised their right hands and swore in — once again.

The Veteran’s Day event was designed to both remember those who have served or are serving and to sustain a quality, all-volunteer 3d ESC team.

Accumulatively, service members pledged more than 1,500 years of additional service to their country. The service members originated from over 34 different States and 13 different brigades, all under the 3d ESC.

The event was the first-ever mass re-enlistment at Joint Base Balad.

Brig. Gen. Michael J. Lally congratulates Spc. Sharla Edwards, a Bradenton, Fla. resident in preparation of a mass re-enlistment ceremony at Joint Base Balad, Iraq.

Over 250 service members took part of the first-ever mass re-enlistment at Joint Base Balad on Veteran’s Day.

Photos by U.S. Army photo by Spc. Brian A. Barbour