Quantico’s Wounded Warrior Regiment welcomed its new sergeant major Jan. 16 during a relief and appointment ceremony at the National Museum of the Marine Corps.
During the event, which was attended by Commandant Gen. James Amos, Sgt. Major John Poloskonka passed the duties of the regimental sergeant major to Sgt. Major Joseph VanFonda.
“Everybody in this regiment and everybody that supports this regiment, that’s where their heart and soul is, taking care of our best, most precious asset, our wounded, ill and injured Marines,” Poloskonka said. “That’s why I do what I do.”
Poloskonka, a 27-year veteran of the Corps, was tapped to become the regiment’s sergeant major in April of 2010 and has been selected to serve as the sergeant major of Marine Corps Installations Command in Arlington.
“I can not think of a finer example, a better friend, a better steward of our Marine Corps wounded warriors than Sgt. Major Ploskonka,” said Wounded Warrior Regiment commanding officer Col. John Mayer.
VanFonda, a Purple Heart receipient, was chosen from among a pool of applicants to replace Poloskonka.
“He was injured in combat fighting alongside Marines and he went through 18 months of recovery,” Mayer said of VanFonda.
Mayer said he was especially pleased that VanFonda understands the recovery process that wounded warriors go through.
“I pledge to all of you, 24-hours, seven days a week, to take care of our wounded, ill and injured Marines,” VanFonda said, adding that he plans to “hang out” with the regiment’s Marines, in order to get to know them on a personal level.
During the ceremony, Poloskonka also passed around an Eagle, Globe and Anchor, asking audience members to rub the Corps’ symbol as they passed it among themselves. He then gave it to Cpl. Adam Morris, who was voted the most “gung ho Marine” by his comrades.
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