(Enlarge) First Army Commander Lt. Gen. Thomas Miller pins the rank of major general onto First Army Division East Commander Maj. Gen. J. Michael Bednarek during a promotion ceremony Oct. 28.

A brisk autumn wind whistled vigorously outside McGill Training Center while Soldiers, civilians and guests cheered thunderously as First Army Division East's Commander, Brig. Gen. J. Michael Bednarek, pinned on the rank of major general on Oct. 28.

Modern advances in technology made the event even more memorable for Bednarek and his family as three of his children watched the ceremony via video teleconference. Bednarek's son Chris and daughter Stephanie watched from Hawaii, while daughter Joanna watched from Virginia Tech.

Not only could they watch the ceremony, they also interacted from their locations. Bednarek's wife, Holly, and daughter Missy attended the ceremony. They, along with First Army Commander Lt. Gen. Thomas Miller, pinned on Bednarek's new rank during the ceremony.

After being pinned, Bednarek expressed his gratitude to his family for their support. He also acknowledged all Soldiers for being, "the absolute reason that all of us [in leadership positions] serve, coach, teach and train."

And as he embraces the future and his new rank, Bednarek recalled his father's advice: "You cannot rely on whatever good things you may have done in the past to get you through the things in the future."

First Army Division East is headquarted on Fort Meade and is responsible for post-mobilization training and supports pre-mobilization training throughout the continental United States in support of the Army Force Generation process.

First Army Division East is responsible for the training, readiness, oversight and mobilization of all United States Army Reserve and National Guard troop units in 27 states and territories in direct support of our nation's vital interests around the globe.

With mobilization training centers located at Fort Bragg, N.C., Fort Dix, N.J., Camp Shelby, Miss., Fort Stewart, Ga., and Camp Atterbury, Ind., First Army Division East and its nine brigades are capable of meeting the training needs of many military specialties.