Our Trooper must be "Feet-Wet" by now,,,Waitin' for the call from Ft.Drum...;0)
Posted on 11/05/2007 8:32:34 AM PST by SoldierDad
CAMP STRIKER, Iraq – The Army's most-deployed brigade traded seats with the brigade with the highest percentage of multiple deployers at a ceremony on Camp Striker Nov. 2.
Iraqi army generals and prominent tribal sheiks of Southern Baghdad were among the dignitaries who attended the ceremony that marked the official transfer of authority from the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) to the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault).
Third Infantry Division Commander Maj. Gen. Rick Lynch bid the Commandos adieu and welcomed the Rakkasans.
Lynch lauded the 2nd BCT, 10th Mtn. Div. (LI) for their work with the Concerned Local Citizens, the seizure of the Yusufiyah thermal power plant and turning it into Patrol Base Dragon. He referenced the 48 medical operations that helped 11,000 Iraqis and the 397 Commander's Emergency Response Program projects that employed 18,000 local citizens.
"Commandos, you have fought the good fight, you have kept the faith and never wavered," said Col. Michael Kershaw, commander of 2nd BCT, 10th Mtn. Div. (LI). "You have suffered, bled and yet reached out when others would have struck.
"But you have been able to see the fruits of your efforts in the faces of the children in South Baghdad, and the lives whom you've helped to make better," Kershaw continued.
After his remarks, Kershaw joined Command Sgt. Maj. Anthony Mahoney, 2nd BCT, 10th Mtn. Div. (LI), command sergeant major, in casing the brigade's colors, which was followed by the uncasing of the 3rd BCT, 101st Abn. Div. (AASLT) colors.
"Today we have with us warriors of the highest caliber, with the noblest of missions," said Col. Dominic Caraccilo, 3rd BCT, 101st Abn. Div. (AASLT) commander. He said although some soldiers wear uniforms that bear American flags and some wear the Iraqi flag, they are all united by a common cause: to see an independent Iraq for future generations.
"What (Commandos) have accomplished with their Iraqi army partners has given us the momentum to carry on those missions to the next level without letting up the pressure on our enemies," Caraccilo said. "With our Iraqi friends, we are destined to make Iraq an independent nation."
The Rakkasans' Civil-Military Operations Officer Maj. Robert Bertrand, said the attendance of Iraqi leaders at the ceremony demonstrated the combined works of tribal sheiks, Iraqi army division and brigade commanders, Iraqi government and Coalition Forces to create a safe, secure and growing Iraq.
Well done 10th Mountain.
BTTT!!
Welcome home, 2BCT! Well done!
BTTT
Well done 10th Mountain.
Our Trooper must be "Feet-Wet" by now,,,Waitin' for the call from Ft.Drum...;0)
Thanks, 10th Mountain, for a job well done!
Welcome home 2nd BCT.
Wonderful news.
Thank You 10th Mountain... Well Done!
I owe you and your prayer warriors much for all the prayers and support given to Robert and his fellow soldiers this past 16 months. I can never repay the debt. Many many thanks, and God Bless you all. Glory to God.
I just told the audience about 20 minutes ago:)I could see them smiling without seeing them.WOOHOOO
If you haven’t already done so, please send out my thanks.
I will:)
Oh, and you should also know that I received word from my niece. She’s at home in North Carolina (Ft. Bragg) with her husband (also with the 82nd Airborne - and the son of a high school friend of mine - who also served a tour in Iraq). So, with Robert’s homecoming, we have all three home from Iraq who spent the last 12 to 16 months there. Now we only have my 2nd cousin there (82nd Airborne - there since June). So, again, our thanks and gratitude go out to you and your prayer warriors.
Let’s us Praise and Thank God:)
Michael W. Smith - You Are Holy (Prince of Peace)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCuaQCr0hws&mode=related&search=
Praise the Lord and Bless you all!
May the Lord bless and keep the Rakkasans on their mission!
They fight for God.
They spread His love
They are led by God on high
Through wisdom from above
Some have given all
But, all have given some
God, and we welcome our warriors
They all, at last, are home
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