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Community celebrates Gen. Ward's fourth star

By Zenitha Prince
AFRO Assistant Editor

FORT MYER, Va. — With a resounding 'Hoo ah!" about 400 people gathered in the ballroom of the Fort Myer Officer's Club on May 26 celebrated the elevation of Lt. Gen. William "Kip" Ward to the Army's highest rank of four-star general.
The honor made Gen. Ward the fifth African American to hold the rank of general and the only active in the Army and moves him from his current assignment as the deputy commander of U.S. Army Europe and Seventh Army to the Deputy Commander of the European Command, which oversees all U.S. forces based in Europe and most of Africa.
"When you've served and served honorably and then you get promoted it's a pretty special feeling," General Ward said in a later interview with the AFRO. "To be sure, putting on that first star was a big event but this one, knowing that there are no more, that this is it, it's sort of a crowning event, so it too was very special."
Though Ward received his promotion on March 6 in Germany, this ceremony was more of a celebration.
The historic occasion had all the ceremonial pomp and circumstance expected of a military service, including the exact placement of the National Colors and General Officer flags, the singing of the National Anthem and Army song by a lone soldier, the actual reading of the promotion orders, which cited Ward's "patriotism, valor, fidelity and ability," the pinning of the fourth star on Ward's epaulets by Gen. Peter Shoomaker and Ward's wife Joyce and finally the presentation of the four-star flag by retired African-American Gen. Johnnie Wilson.
Yet, in many ways the event retained the feel of a family reunion, despite its incongruous mix of well-pressed suits, bright summer dresses and sand-colored fatigues.
A caravan of buses and cars brought in people from Baltimore, Ward's hometown, representing all aspects of his life; church, home, school and neighborhood.
"I am very proud because General Ward has not forgotten his roots," said the Rev. Arthur B. Glover, of Falls Road A.M.E. Church, which was founded by Ward's grandfather. "He comes back, he looks after his mother, and he models excellence for our young people."
George Grace, grand basileus of Omega Psi Phi, of which Ward is a member, was joined by a cadre of Omegas who came out to support their brother.
"I'm here because Kip Ward represents the epitome of what Omegas are about; manhood, perseverance, scholarship and upliftment," Grace said. "He is an example of what all kids can be if they really want to be."
Equally represented were people who touched Ward's career, from his ROTC commander to former Army superiors and cadets and they all shared one sentiment. "Well done."
First Lt. Owen Powell, assigned to a parachute infantry regiment in Fort Bragg, N.C. said Ward was an astute mentor both to his parents and himself.
"He taught me to stay true to yourself and to do what you believe in and that's what I've done," Powell said. "He's a huge inspiration. He's everything I want to be."
Brig. Gen. Vincent Brooks, Army chief of public affairs, said he trained under Ward as a cadet at WestPoint and in other situations. As a leader, he said, Ward is "excellent."
"He is a great leader who absolutely cares about soldiers, knows exactly what the right thing to do is and is an inspiration to everyone else," he said.
In his remarks, General Ward thanked all the people; his family, neighbors, fellow servicemen and superiors for their input into his life and gave special thanks to his wife Joyce for the sacrifices she made to keep their family together and for "being his best friend." And at one point, tears welled in his eyes as he paid tribute to his deceased father, a former soldier and the first person to call him "General."
When asked later about his emotional display, Ward said: "We think about the people who've had an impact on who you are and where you are and it's emotional because of gratitude and thanks and in some cases knowing they aren't here in person but that they are here to share it anyway."