Photo By Command Sgt. Maj. Anthony L Taylor | Army Reserve soldiers from the 814th Military Police Company, 327th MP Battalion,...... read more read more
CHICAGO – The 814th Military Police Company, 327th MP Battalion, 300th MP Brigade, based out of Arlington Heights, Illinois, hosted a farewell ceremony in Chicago, May 5, bidding farewell to family and friends in preparation for their 10-month deployment to Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
Special guest speakers included Ron Kittle, former Chicago White Sox player; and Deborah Rickert, President, Operation Support Our Troops – America, Inc.
Rickert, mother of two soldiers, shared her role with OSoT-America supporting deployed service members and ‘poking at the consciousness’ of citizens to keep awareness of ongoing service and sacrifices of service members.
“I am all too familiar with the feelings and emotions that come with days like today,” said Rickert. “The pain of separation and the beginning of the countdown of being reunited [starts today].
Kittle, whose father and brother served, shared a few personal stories about previous meetings with service members, and just offered up a ‘thank you’ to more than 100 soldiers there.
“I want you to wake up every single morning and be the best possible person you can be, be the best soldier you can and make us all proud. God bless all of you,” said Kittle.
Following guest speakers, members from the command team gave remarks led by Lt. Col. Richard Vanbuskirk, 327th MP Bn. commander. Vanbuskirk, who has served on three deployments, remarked on the unit’s history and its service to an audience of an estimated 400 in attendance. Vanbuskirk shared insight to the command team in preparation for the unit’s second deployment as an entire unit. Their first deployment was to Iraq in 2004 according to Vanbuskirk.
“You know it’s such a privilege and honor to lead soldiers into combat and on deployment,” he said. “Get to know your soldiers and where they are coming from. It makes you a better leader – Listen to your soldiers. They have the closest heartbeat for all of your problems.”
Vanbuskirk closed with a ‘thank you’ to all of the family members there.
“Thank you for allowing your loved ones to be soldiers and thank you for your continued sacrifices. I know you make them every single month.”
First Sgt. Michael Mega, 814th MP Company first sergeant with 19 years of service, discussed his soldiers’ growth in their training over the past several months, and he explained the generational gap with his soldiers. He learned while speaking with his soldiers that some of them were born when he was in basic training; but that this would be his fifth deployment and he was proud to serve with them.
“We’re consummate professionals,” said Mega. “We’re the professionals of the United States Army.”
“We are military police officers, hooah?!” exclaimed Mega.
Capt. Rodney Williams, commander of the 814th MP Company, thanked the families in attendance and also the community. According to Williams, through their family readiness group (FRG), the unit received a great deal of support from many in preparation for deployment.
“We really do appreciate all of the community and all of the support that we have received from the families and community,” said Williams. “Thank you to the family members. It’s an honor and pleasure to take these soldiers forward ... It’s a unique opportunity to take these unique individuals who have [raised] their right hand to protect and defend, and now our country has called upon us to go and accomplish that mission.”
| Date Taken: | 05.12.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 05.12.2015 15:44 |
| Story ID: | 163067 |
| Location: | CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, US |
| Web Views: | 3,692 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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