Photo By Master Sgt. Lynette Hoke | A girl enjoys cake served by Serving our Troops" at Bravo Company, 2nd Battalion,...... read more read more
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by Sgt. Lynette Hoke
Minnesota National Guard
Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty, Congressman Betty McCullen and 34th Combat Aviation Brigade Executive Officer Lt. Col. Bruce Goff were just a few of the many distinguish visitors who were in attendance for the Welcome Home Ceremony for Bravo Company 2-211 General Support Aviation Battalion at Highland Park in St. Paul, Minn, Sept. 23rd.
B. Co. 2-211 SVB is home after serving 22 months in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Volunteers from "Serve our Troops," organization prepared, cooked and served all Soldiers, families and friends a steak luncheon.
During the ceremony, four members of B. Co. 2-211 SVB were awarded a Bronze Star for 'bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service.'
1st Lt. Jeremy Degier, Sgt. 1st Class Mark Swedeen, Chief Warrant Officer Jason Wright and Sgt. 1st. Class Andrew Carrillo were pinned by the Governor during the ceremony. Some of the Soldiers were unaware they were being awarded the medal.
"More shocked than anything else," said Sgt. 1st. Class Carrillo. "It was my guys that did it...it is all the Soldiers underneath you that make it happen. We have a lot of professional Soldiers, and when they do their job, it makes everything else easy."
One of the main focuses of the day was to recognize and honor not only the Soldiers, but families and friends of the aviation troops who were deployed.
"They (Soldiers) don't get to say "I'll go, if it isn't inconvenience for my family...my education ...or my employer," They just have to salute and go," said Gov. Pawlenty. "With that comes a burden not only for them, but all their family members too."
"The families have a mission which is more complex than the Soldiers," said Maj. Gen. Rick Erlandson, 34th "Red Bull" Infantry Division Commander. "The Soldiers can not do what they do if it was not for their support of the families."
The Soldiers recognized the importance of given their families and friends a day of recognition.
"I am glad the families were put in the position of importance, we have done plenty of ceremonies for ourselves and I am glad they could be recognized," Sgt Joan Oen, Aircraft Refueler.
"It is easy to do a job when you know there is people this supporting you and your family," said Sgt. 1st. Class Andrew Carrillo.
"I have never been to this kind of thing, I feel kind of honored to be asked and coming out here to help," said Shayanne Heinrich, deli worker and hostess for one of the participating companies who donated the food and supplies.
"I was here with my Mom, cousin and brother," said 12 year-old Hunter of Cottage Grove, "I think it was pretty fun."
Some of the members of B. Co. 2-211 SVB reflected on the generosity of the surrounding community.
"I think it is great there is a Minnesota Organization that will come out and put on this type of event," said Sgt. 1st. Class Carrillo.
"I am continually amazed on how gracious people are to all of us veterans," Sgt.Oen, "From the event that happened today, from the ladies at the hairdresser to the Patriot Guard coming to homecomings."
In late August of 2006 the unit arrived in the Middle East as 'Task Force Blackjack' under the 36th Combat Aviation Brigade from Texas. The flying CH-47 Chinook Cargo Helicopters unit was known in Iraq as "The Bootleggers".
While operating out of Balad, Iraq the CH-47's flew over 7,000 Combat Flight Hours, conducted over 100 air assaults. Overall Taskforce Blackjack flew 5,400 combat missions that totaled 23,000 flight hours, transported more 15,500 troops and transported 17 hostages to safety. The unit returned safely to Minnesota in August 2007.
| Date Taken: | 09.23.2007 |
| Date Posted: | 09.28.2007 12:42 |
| Story ID: | 12607 |
| Location: | ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA, US |
| Web Views: | 425 |
| Downloads: | 373 |
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