Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Jennifer Milnes | Brig. Gen. John Rueger, 35th Infantry Division deputy commanding general, patches 35th...... read more read more
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35th Infantry Division soldiers serving in support of Operation Inherent Resolve conducted their patching ceremony Aug. 5, 2017.
The day marked the 100th anniversary of the 35th Inf. Div. being activated for federal service.
35th Inf. Div. Commanding General, Maj. Gen. Victor Braden, and Deputy Commanding General, Brig. Gen. John Rueger, presided over the ceremony, where the “combat patch” was placed on the Soldier’s right shoulder.
“Not since World War II has the entire division headquarters deployed as a two-star command and earned the right to wear the 35th combat patch,” said Rueger. “It is very humbling and an honor to wear the 35th patch, which was worn by so many from the greatest generation. Many serving in the 35th from WWI paid the ultimate sacrifice and we are deeply honored and proud to wear this patch.”
Maj. Gen Braden awarded Brig. Gen. Rueger his combat patch, followed by 35th Inf. Div. Command Sgt. Maj. Timothy Newton and Command Sgt. Maj. Terrence Hankerson.
Rueger and Hankerson worked their way through the formation, patching and congratulating each of their Soldiers’ hard work and dedication.
“The team has performed beyond expectation,” said Rueger. “Our Soldiers have worked extremely hard leading up to this point with several training events.”
Aug. 5, 1917, the 35th Inf. Div. was activated for federal service and organized at Camp Doniphan, Oklahoma, as a unit of the National Guard with Soldiers from Kansas and Missouri in preparation for World War I. The Division fought in both World War I and World War II as well as missions in Bosnia, Kosovo, and now the Arabian Gulf and the Levant.
The Santa Fe cross, a symbol used to identify the Santa Fe Trail where the unit initially trained, was designated as an identifying device for the unit by Headquarters, 35th Division General Order 25, dated March 27, 1918.
“I, like anyone in the Division, am proud to be part of an organization that has stood the test of time and is still relevant 100 years later,” said Rueger. “When the Division was formed, it was the calling of the time for that generation that fought in World War I. Fast forward to 2017, and times have changed, but this is the calling of our generation. We are glad to be a part of it.”
| Date Taken: | 08.05.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 08.17.2017 10:38 |
| Story ID: | 245133 |
| Location: | ARABIAN GULF |
| Web Views: | 1,129 |
| Downloads: | 3 |
This work, 35th Infantry Division conducts Patching Ceremony, by SFC Jennifer Milnes, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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