HQAMC dedicates room to fallen civilian
By Beth E. Musselman-Clemons
FORT BELVOIR , Va. -- The Villar Conference Room was dedicated by Headquarters, Army Materiel Command leaders and family members of Linda J. Villar in a ceremony Friday.
The multipurpose room was officially renamed with the unveiling of Villar's commemorative plaque.
Villar, acting chief, 3rd Infantry Division logistics support element, Baghdad , Iraq , was killed when an insurgent mortar round struck Camp Liberty , June 3, 2005 . She was the first AMC civilian killed while serving in Iraq .
“Linda leaves behind a reputation of excellence; she leaves behind a reputation that serves for all of us that wear this uniform, whether you're a civilian or military. Linda Villar is a tremendous example for all of us to look up to and remember,” said Gen. Benjamin S. Griffin, AMC commanding general and host of the ceremony.
Villar, 41, spent most of her 24 years of civilian service with AMC, including the U.S. Army Soldier Systems Center, the U.S. Army Soldier and Biological Chemical Command, and the U.S. Army Field Support Command. Her awards include the Defense of Freedom Medal, the Meritorious Civilian Service Award and the Army Achievement Award. She was a Franklinton, La. native, and was assigned to Fort Stewart , Ga.
“Anyone that didn't meet her really missed a great opportunity. She really touched everybody, and anyone that crossed paths with her knows what I mean,” said Villar's husband David, a logistics assistance representative, Fort Stewart , Ga.
Villar's family in attendance included husband, David, daughter, Tanesha Prioleau, mother, Dorothy Magee, sister, Renee Brown, brother-in-law, Joseph Villar, and nephew Joseph Jr. Several of Villar's friends attended as well.
Special guests were Maj. Gen. Jerome Johnson, commanding general, Army Field Support Command, Jack Dugan, deputy commander, TACOM Life Cycle Management Command, Brig. Gen. Mark O'Neill, 3rd Infantry Division assistant division commander - support, and Lt. Col. and Mrs. Curtis Wood, logistics assistance officer, Fort Stewart , Ga.
“This plaque will stand in this room and be a representation of what she stood for, and for all of us to look up to and remember on a daily basis as we serve those who go in harms' way,” said Griffin .
In December 2005, Fort Stewart honored Villar with a room dedication, and in February the Communications - Electronics Command Forward Repair Activity, Army Field Support Brigade – Iraq , dedicated a gate.
 |
VILLAR1 – Gen. Benjamin S. Griffin applauds as Villar's daughter, Tanesha, unveils the commemorative plaque dedicating the HQAMC multipurpose room the Villar Conference Room. The plaque features a photo of Villar and reads: Linda Joyce Villar Dedicated wife, mother and patriot Linda J. Villar sacrificed her life June 3, 2005 , when an insurgent mortar round struck Camp Liberty near Baghdad International Airport , Iraq , while she was serving as the acting chief for the Logistics Support Element. Linda lost her life supporting Soldiers fighting to defend democracy and defeat terrorism. As a Logistics Assistance Representative for the Army Materiel Command, she was deployed to Iraq in support of the 3rd Infantry Division's Operation Iraqi Freedom III as a Logistics Management Specialist. Linda served at Fort Stewart , Georgia , where she and her husband David worked similar jobs. Deeply dedicated to helping Soldiers, she willingly placed herself in harm's way. Linda's unselfish devotion to duty and dedication to our nation's principles bring great credit upon herself, the Army Materiel Command, the United States Army and the United States of America . Lest we forget |