Photo By Spc. Allison Churchill | Staff Sgt. Christopher Fernandez, personal security team noncommissioned...... read more read more
By Spc. Allison Churchill
41st Fires Brigade
FORWARD OPERATING BASE DELTA, Iraq – More than 20 Soldiers received their first combat patch during a ceremony at the Mayor's cell on FOB Delta, July 23, 2008.
Soldiers in Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 41st Fires Brigade, gathered to put the brigade's patch on their right arms signifying service in a combat zone.
"I feel proud to be a Soldier," said Pfc. Miriam Sosa, HHB supply clerk. Sosa moved to Brooklyn, N.Y., from Mexico City when she was 5.
Sosa said from a young age she wanted to join the military. She appreciated all the opportunities she has in the United States.
"This ceremony is like a pat on the back, or thumbs up," Sosa added.
Soldiers who don't have a patch on their right shoulders stand out as much as the ones who did pre-September 11, said Monroe, La., native James Childers, HHB.
"All of you who joined or re-enlisted after September 11, you knew what you were getting into, and you still did it. I respect you for that," Childers told his Soldiers before the ceremony.
Although Army regulations say Soldiers can begin wearing the combat patch after spending one day in theater, the battery waited to hold the ceremony until the commander, Capt. Michael Bundt, joined the battery in theater. Bundt's wife, Shannon, gave birth to the couple's second child shortly after the main body deployed.
Operation Iraqi Freedom 08-09 isn't Bundt's first deployment, but it is his first as a battery commander. The Eden Prairie, Minn., native said he'll have a lot of memories associated with the 41st Fires Bde. patch.
"Whenever someone asks me what I did in 41st Fires Bde., it will never be a short conversation," said Bundt.
HHB and the rest of the brigade are scheduled for a 15-month tour.
| Date Taken: | 07.28.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 07.28.2008 06:36 |
| Story ID: | 21896 |
| Location: | AL KUT, IQ |
| Web Views: | 171 |
| Downloads: | 111 |
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