A promotion ceremony was held recently at Fort Bragg for Brig. Gen. Hugh C. Van Roosen II, of Whispering Pines.

Van Roosen currently serves as the commander of the 353rd Civil Affairs Command in Staten Island, N.Y. - an Army Reserve unit belonging to the U.S. Army Civil Affairs and Psy-chological Operations Command (Airborne). In his civilian career, Van Roosen works as the executive officer for the U.S. Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command (Airborne), headquartered at Fort Bragg.

Van Roosen has served more than 29 years in the U.S. Army, with leadership experience in civil affairs, infantry and Special Forces.

"I never imagined I would make it past the rank of captain," Van Roosen said, reflecting back on his career.

He started his career as an enlisted infantry soldier, attaining the rank of sergeant before attending Officer Candidate School in 1981.

Van Roosen and his wife, Kerri, have two teenage children. His father is a retired U.S. Army lieutenant colonel and a highly decorated World War II veteran.