Photo By 1st Lt. Anna Doo | Families look on at the Aviation Facility in Santa Fe, N.M., as about 38 New Mexico...... read more read more
SANTA FE, N.M. – About 400 people gathered at the National Guard Aviation Readiness Center here Feb. 2 to honor and bid farewell to the deploying 38 members of Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 171st Aviation Regiment.
The unit left for Fort Hood, Texas, Feb. 3 to continue their pre-deployment training and preparations before traveling on to Kuwait. They are expected to be gone for 11 months.
Looking out at the packed room, Brig. Gen. Andrew Salas, the adjutant general of New Mexico, said, “This is truly New Mexico family.”
Salas said, “These men and women who are deploying – all 38 of Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 171st Aviation – are carrying on a legacy handed down to us by our veterans.”
He then called forward one of those veterans, retired Maj. Richard Mayes, a Marine Corps pilot who flew F-4 Corsair fighter planes in the Pacific Theater during World War II. Salas presented his challenge coin to Mayes, who received a standing ovation. Mayes attended the ceremony to support his son-in-law, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Joseph Vigil.
In his remarks, Salas gave the deploying Soldiers three principles to guide them through their mobilization: “Do your duty. Remember your doctrine and training. Remember that we’re all family.”
Salas introduced Lt. Gov. John Sanchez, who said, “For years, New Mexico men and women have played a vital role in defending America. The state of New Mexico is deeply grateful for your service. As lieutenant governor, I am honored to call you New Mexico’s sons and daughters.”
Sanchez said that there will be a daily moment of silence and prayer at the state legislature for the state’s service members, veterans and their families.
“Dedicated Unhesitating Service To Our Fighting Forces,” were the first words spoken by Maj. Thomas Dunn, commander of Charlie Company. Dunn explained that those words form the acronym “DUSTOFF” – a call sign of medical evacuation units since the Vietnam War.
One by one, Dunn called out the rank and last name of each deploying member to stand and be recognized. He told their family members, “During this deployment, you’re the ones with the toughest assignment.”
Dunn said that he explained the necessity of the coming separation to his own children by telling them that their sacrifice will allow “somebody else’s mom or dad to come home.”
Dunn and 1st Sgt. Keith Gensamer, the unit’s senior enlisted leader, tied two yellow ribbons around a pine tree with the help of their wives, who were both presented bouquets of flowers. The yellow ribbon signifies the remembrance of military personnel serving far from home. It is a symbol of the ties that bind, a way of telling the world they have someone special who may be away but will be home again.
Maj. Daniel Purcell served as the master of ceremonies. Members of the New Mexico National Guard’s 44th Army Band played the national anthem and "Army Song." Pastor Skip Heitzig of Calvary Chapel provided the invocation and benediction.
| Date Taken: | 02.02.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 02.04.2015 12:37 |
| Story ID: | 153495 |
| Location: | SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO, US |
| Web Views: | 244 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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