Engineer commander presents mayor, city council with symbolic flag

Photo By Sgt. Michael Owens | Louisiana Army National Guard Maj. Cindy H. Haygood, commander of the 769th Engineer Battalion, 225 Engineer Brigade presents Zachary, La., Mayor Henry J. Martinez with a U.S. flag that was flown in Iraq during the battalion's deployment. The Leesville, La., native made the presentation during a city council meeting at Zachary City Hall, Jan. 27.  

ZACHARY, UNITED STATES

02.17.2009

Story by Sgt. Michael Owens 

Louisiana National Guard

ZACHARY, La. – Louisiana Army National Guard Maj. Cindy H. Haygood, commander of the 769th Engineer Battalion, 225th Engineer Brigade, presented Zachary, La., Mayor Henry J. Martinez, with a U.S. flag at a city council meeting at Zachary City Hall, Jan. 27.

"On behalf of every Soldier in the 769th, I am giving this flag as a token of appreciation for the support that the city of Zachary has shown the battalion," said the Leesville, La., native.

The flag, which was flown over Multi-National Corps Headquarters in Iraq, was originally presented to Maj. Gen Hunt B. Downer, LANG assistant adjutant general, at the city's annual Z Fest on May 6, 2006, when the mayor and city council signed a declaration officially dedicating that date as 769th day.

Upon deploying in 2007, the engineers' request to take the flag with them overseas was granted. "We had every intention of returning the flag to the city, but we wanted to fly it during our deployment to give it a more symbolic value," said Maj. Jason P. Mahfouz, 769th operations officer.

"The citizens of Zachary and I would like to thank you for the service that you have given to your country," said Martinez. "We are extremely happy that you were able to return this flag safely."

• Date Taken: 02.17.2009
• Date Posted: 02.17.2009 13:12
• Story ID: 30122
• Location: ZACHARY, US