Photo By 1st Lt. Janeene Yarber | Spc. Jeremy Otto, from Calico Rock, Ark., who serves with Headquarters Support...... read more read more
By 2nd Lt. Janeene Yarber
926th Engineer Brigade
CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq – The combat patch is a badge of honor earned after serving a tour of duty in a combat zone, and now the Soldiers of the 46th Engineer Combat Battalion join the ranks of thousands of others, displaying their dedicated service to their country.
The 46th ECB consists of four companies of Soldiers based out of Fort Polk, La., Fort Rucker, Ala., and Fort Leonard Wood, Mo.; however, the Soldiers are native to many different parts of the country.
As the patching ceremony script states: "The history of the combat patch [worn on the right shoulder of the Army Combat Uniform] dates back to the end of World War II when the wear of a unit patch on the right shoulder signified service in combat with a specific unit." Today, the patch is earned after deploying into a combat zone.
These MND-B Soldiers left their families and homes in the United States to deploy to the Baghdad area in early June. Now, the Soldiers of the 46th ECB supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom, are granted the privilege of wearing the 1st Combat Support Brigade (maneuver enhancement) patch on their right shoulders as a combat patch, which is the 46th ECB's organic unit patch.
After the patching ceremony, first-time deployed Soldiers of the 46th ECB expressed their sense of fulfillment after a successful initial 60 days of serving in a combat zone, in the United States Army. They also cite their families as being their biggest supporters.
"I felt like I was indebted to my country and wanted to serve my time, and that's why I'm here," states Spc. Antonio Alpentzou, of Galveston, Texas, who serves with Company A, 46th ECB. "My family is proud of me – and worried at the same time."
Pvt. Gregory Painter, who is also assigned to Co. A, says his family is very proud that he is serving in the military.
"I joined the military for a better life and for the opportunities available to me," said Painter, a native of Wheeler, W.Va. "I'm getting to experience new things and see a lot more of the world," states Painter.
Pfc. Russell Madden, a native of Hastings, Mich., who serves with the battalion's Headquarters Services Company, says he has witnessed a distinct change in his families' attitude toward his service in Iraq.
"I've had a ton of support from my family since deploying," says Madden. "They weren't sure it was such a good idea in the beginning because of my age, but the benefits of being in the Army outweigh any difficulties I might have encountered. Everything I'm doing out here will only benefit my family in the end."
For some team members, joining the military was also their way of continuing their family's legacy.
"My family has been very supportive," says Pfc. Edward Fluech, who calls Poplar Bluff, Mo., home. "Military service is a big family tradition. My dad is retired Navy. "Ever since I was in 9th grade, I've wanted to be in the military. I'm very proud to wear my combat patch."
The 46th Engineer Combat Battalion is assigned to the 926th Engineer Brigade and serves with Multi-National Division – Baghdad.
| Date Taken: | 08.28.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 08.28.2008 08:17 |
| Story ID: | 22951 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 1,189 |
| Downloads: | 270 |
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