Write a commentRetired Command Sergeant Major (CSM) Jack Rucynski took time out Friday, Nov. 9, to visit and have lunch with the veterans residing at Morningstar Residential Care Center, in Oswego.
An Oswego native, Rucynski mingled, chatted and exchanged stories while enjoying shrimp cocktail 
and prime rib provided the by the chefs at the facility. He also shared a particularly tragic and somber story about a great friend he lost who was in the Pentagon on 9/11.
His career began in 1962, when he entered the U.S. Marine Corps, serving until 1967. In 1967, CSM Rucynski enlisted in the United States Army Reserve, and in 1982 he returned to active duty in the Active Guard Reserve (AGR) Program. He is a graduate of Class 30 of the U. S. Army Sergeants Major Academy and earned a Bachelor's Degree from Empire State College.
Rucynski served in the Republic of Vietnam with the Ninth Marine Corps Expeditionary Brigade, Third Marine Division, in 1965. In between active duty assignment, he served with the New York State Police as a Trooper and Investigator with the Bureau of Criminal Investigation.
As the Command Sergeant Major of the United States Army Reserve, he was the principal Senior Enlisted Soldier and adviser to the Chief, Army Reserve, in the Pentagon, Washington, DC, for matters concerning enlisted soldiers. As such, he acted as a direct link between the soldiers in the Army Reserve and the Chief, Army Reserve. During this period he traveled extensively throughout the world and the United States listening to the concerns of the soldiers on the ground, bringing these concerns back to the Pentagon to find solutions and serve soldiers and families.
Rucynski retired with more than 35 years military service on Jan. 1, 2000.
Before he left, Rucynski handed out military "challenge" coins to the Morningstar veterans.
Tradition of presenting a military challenge coin
There is a tradition in the military to present military coins as a token of honor, respect, gratitude and loyalty. Presentation is not limited to military personnel as civilian on many occasions deserve recognition of their support to military personnel. The origin of these coin gifts is unknown, but there are many legends dating back as far as World War I.
Many names are given to the military coins: challenge coins, squadron
coins, military coins, memorial coins, unit coins and commander's coins.
The challenge: Owners of military coins often challenge other coin
holders by slapping their coin on the table. If the challenged opponent presents their coin, than the challenger has to buy that person a drink. If the challenged does not present a challenged coin, they must buy the challenger a drink.
