Story submitted by SGM (R) Allen Ashton Jr.
LTC (R) Jon Ring from Wiesbaden, Germany was recognized by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Department of Europe at the annual Convention held in Wiesbaden, Germany June 18, 2022. VFW Department of Europe Commander James Joyce and recognized LTC (R) Jon Ring as the winner of Department of Europe 2022 Smart/Maher VFW National Citizenship Education Teacher Award in the annual awards ceremony. Mr. Marc Garduno the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States National Quartermaster was a guest and present at the convention awards ceremony
LTC (R) Jon Ring serves as the Wiesbaden High School, Senior Army Instructor US Army Junior ROTC Warrior Battalion. He arrived in Wiesbaden, Germany in January 2020 made an immediate impact with his dynamic personality, engaging leadership style, knowledge of military organization and secondary education. He excels as providing purpose, motivation and direction to cadets in leadership positions to achieve success with the JROTC mission “To Motivate Young People to be better Citizens” and improve the Warrior battalion. LTC (R) Jon Ring brings a wealth of knowledge in military history and leadership and imparts to the maximum an emphasis on individual and unit leadership and developing physical fitness.
He organized a Warrior Battalion trip and support of unveiling and dedication of the 17th Airborne Division Monument on the site of the “Operation Varsity”. LTC Ring organized Cadets to provide narration of the event, Color Guard and Honor Company for the dedication ceremony. Cadets met with seven World War II Veterans who travelled back to Europe to visit the site of the 17th Airborne Division airborne operation at Wesel, Germany which secured the eastside of the Rhine river on 24 March, 1945.
Photo insert LTC (R) Jon Ring receives 2022 Smart Mayer VFW award from VFW Department of Europe Commander James Joyce. VFW National Quartermaster Marc Garduno applauds the award presentation. Photo courtesy VFW Department of Europe with photo credit to Lee Wolverton.
Pictured Left to Right: Angelo Aldridge, Marc Garduno, LTC (R) Jon Ring, James Joyce, VFW Color Guard members, James Primmer, SGM (R) Allen Ashton