Courtesy Photo | 1st Sgt. Bobby Parlor, of Wellington, Fla., and the first sergeant for the 1218th...... read more read more
AL ASAD AIRBASE, Iraq — On Nov. 8, the Soldiers of the 1218th Transportation Co., 751st Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 96th Sustainment Brigade, placed right-sleeve shoulder insignias, commonly known as combat patches, on their uniforms for the very first time. In accordance with the current regulations outlining uniform wear and appearance, the 1218th will wear the patch of their parent brigade back in Florida, the 164th Air Defense Artillery Brigade.
"This is more than a piece of cloth, a bunch of thread sewn together," said Capt. Scott Peterson, a West Palm Beach, Fla., native, and the 1218th company commander. "This patch represents us and by wearing it, it represents our story and what we did here," Peterson said as he addressed the company formation at the beginning of the ceremony.
"We are one of two units in the entire brigade authorized to wear this as our combat patch," 1st Sgt. Bobby Parlor, a native of Wellington, Fla., said. "That means something special for not only the Soldiers, but the unit in general."
While the ceremony lasted only 25 minutes, the moment will be remembered by those who earned their patch, especially those Soldiers who are on their first deployment.
"I am proud to have a combat patch", Spc. Terrill Smith a West Palm Beach, Fla., native, said. "It felt good when it was put on my sleeve. When I go home it will prove that I have 'been there, done that'."
Pfc. Joseph James, a native of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., said, "First sergeant grouped all of us together who earned patches at the end of the ceremony. He ripped off his old combat patch, and put on the new patch, that was impressive and it meant a lot to me, and us, as first time deployers."
The 1218th Transportation Co. is a Florida Army National Guard unit tasked with providing truck transportation throughout Iraq.
| Date Taken: | 11.08.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 11.25.2009 03:40 |
| Story ID: | 41984 |
| Location: | AL ASAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 324 |
| Downloads: | 146 |
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