CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – School children playing in the playground next door can be heard through the murmuring of the crowd ringing the packed drill shed floor as dignitaries, family and friends gather at the Massachusetts National Guard’s Cambridge Armory on an unseasonably warm winter day to see off C Company, 1-181st Infantry Regiment at a sendoff ceremony, here, February 5, 2019.
Massachusetts Lt. Governor Karyn Polito joined Maj. Gen. Gary W. Keefe, the Adjutant General of the Massachusetts National Guard, and other senior leaders of the Massachusetts National Guard to speak words of encouragement to the soldiers of C Company and their families.
Polito spoke of the importance of family support throughout the deployment and the extension of family to include all those whose service members are deployed together, reiterating the available resources to the families of C Company.
No longer are you a group of separate families, like your soldier’s unit, you are one. One family that will come together to support each other during C Company’s deployment. The family readiness group is always available to help, no matter the circumstances. All you need to do is call, Polito said.
For some of the soldiers and families this is their first involvement with a deployment, while others have substantial experience. Those who have experience and know what to expect should give of their knowledge. Which is exactly what will happen during their first family readiness meeting in March, she continued.
Since 2001 Company C has mobilized for overseas missions including Operation Joint Forge in Bosnia-Herzegovina in 2001, Cuba in 2003 to conduct security and presence patrols around Camp Delta, to New Orleans in 2005 in response to Hurricane Katrina, in 2007 to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, and in 2010 to Afghanistan to provide security platoons to Provincial Reconstruction Teams throughout the country.
“We know how well trained you are. The legacy and the tradition of the 181 goes back to one of the three original regiments in 1636,” said Maj. Gen. Keefe. “When you look at these soldiers here right now, keep in mind they are part of the around 1% of the United States of America that has actually raised their right hand and served.”
The U.S. Military relies on an all-volunteer force, and of that all-volunteer force, the backbone which is the reserve component, the guard and the reserves. So your sons, daughters, husbands, wives, friends, or partners are part of that one percent who have raised their right hand and committed to serve, Keefe said.
“Where they’re going as part of Task Force Warrior out on the Horn of Africa is an important mission, Keefe continued.
“You will encounter organizations like Boko Haram, Al-Shabbab, and ISIS,” Keefe continued. “So what you’re doing will require you to use everything you’ve been trained to do and keep your wits about you, and above all take care of your battle buddies. I know you’ll do that.”
| Date Taken: | 02.07.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 02.20.2019 08:48 |
| Story ID: | 311228 |
| Location: | MASSACHUSETTS, US |
| Web Views: | 373 |
| Downloads: | 3 |
This work, C Company 1-181st Deploys to Africa, by Alfred Tripolone, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
