Stryker Troopers Earn Combat Spurs

Multi-National Force - Iraq ^ | Sgt. Doug Roles, USA

[SandRat]

Capt. Nathaniel Lantz (right) of Bound Brooke, N.J., commander of Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 2nd Squadron, 104th Cavalry, knights Spc. Andrew Kline of Reading, Pa., Aug. 12. The ceremony marked the squadron's Troopers earning the right to wear gilded gold combat spurs with their uniforms. Photo by Sgt. Doug Roles.

CAMP TAJI — Troopers with the 2nd Squadron, 104th Cavalry Regiment, 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, are leaving Iraq with new spurs jangling from their combat boots.In keeping with cavalry tradition, troop commanders conducted award ceremonies, at the "Fiddler's Green" rest area of the squadron's footprint. The area is the namesake of a poem about the final resting place of all cavalry Soldiers."When a Cav Soldier dies, he goes to a place called Fiddler's Green," 1st Lt. Duncan MacQueen, unit public affairs representative for the 2-104th said. "It's a place for the spirits of Cav Soldiers."Maj. Guy Smith, information officer for the 2-104th, explained that in peace time, troopers can earn their silver spurs through a challenging process known as a spur ride. It tests physical endurance and Soldier skills, including land navigation, rifle marksmanship and a road march."The spur ride is what's done in peace time to earn them," Smith said. "It's usually pretty physically demanding."Troopers of the 2-104th have earned their gold combat spurs with months of sweat and courage. Presiding over spur ceremonies, troop commanders "knight" Soldiers with cavalry sabers, granting them the right to wear the spurs. Overall, commanders presented spurs to almost 800 troopers.

"All who are assigned to cavalry [unit] for a combat tour receive gilded spurs," Smith explained. It's our entire squadron and then those who served with us."

[SandRat]

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[668 - Neighbor of the Beast]

Bound Brook’s got an e now? I bet the taxes are up a few.

[omega4179]

is the Stryker any good in Afghanistan or is it a one trick Pony for Iraq.

[onedoug]

CAVALRY!

“Forward Ho!”

[screaminsunshine]

Why are we doing this lame plan when all we gotta do is send in the B-52’s. Obama wants this to be Nam.

[Monkey Face]

YAY, STRYKERS!!!

Yellow ribbons for all, no matter where they are stationed!!

Thanks, Sandy!

[Monkey Face]

Don’t dis the Strykers, please.

[TMSuchman]

Because in order to “win” a war, one needs to plant their flag & make the enemy cry UNCLE! You can not just do that with air power alone! I would have thought that the Dim.’s would have learned that one during Viet Nam.....

[airborne]

Doesn’t say where they’re from.

Could this be my “home boys” from Ft. Indiantown Gap, PA?

[SandRat]

Berks County, PA

[WesternPacific]

Don’t dis the Strykers, please.

Yep, the Stryker is an amazing vehicle. It saved my son several times.

[Monkey Face]

My grandson drives one. He is currently deployed and I have lots of yellow ribbons on display for him.

[airborne]

Took me a bit of searching, but then I found this -

http://www.army.mil/-news/2009/07/22/24731-stryker-vehicle-proves-to-be-good-fit-for-pennsylvania-guards-cavalry-troopers/

""When we were driving back at the Gap [Fort Indiantown Gap, Pa.] we put the Stryker through its paces. We purposely went out and tried to get it stuck. We couldn't really do it," he said."

So I do believe these are the boys who are stationed 4 miles from me. They're supposed to return in mid September, if I remember correctly.

[SandRat]

So welcome them back to the tune of Gary Owen the Original Lyrics to Yellow Ribbon (see John Wayne Movies).

[airborne]

My next door neighbor is in the unit.

We’ll pop open a few cold ones when they return!

[SandRat]

Well.. as you're standing about the Barbbie and you pop a cold one give at toast “To our Fallen Brothers” take a gulp, then as you pour some on the ground say “May they too quench their thirst.”

[airborne]

Excellent idea sir!

I’ll make it a point to honor our fallen comrades.