Photo By Sgt. Tracy Knowles | Commanders, Capt. Gordon Robbins (left), 277th Engineer Company, and 1st. Lt. Richard...... read more read more
BAGHDAD, Iraq — In the early morning hours of Dec. 9, the 101st Engineer Battalion bid farewell and thank you, for a job well done, to the Soldiers of the 277th Engineer Company, of San Antonio, while at the same time, welcoming the 317th Engineer Company of Kankakee, Ill., to Camp Liberty, as the two companies complete the traditional Transfer of Authority ceremony.
Over the presiding week, the 317th Eng. Co. has provided a member of each section to spend time shadowing their 277th Eng. Co., counterpart and absorbing everything that was accomplished over the last year.
An invocation given by Chaplain (Capt.) Paul Barnett, 101st Eng. Bn., of Wareham, Mass., marked the start of the ceremony. The Chaplain prayed for the safe departure of the 277th Eng. Co. and asked for vision, vigilance and victory for the incoming unit.
"Enable and ignite those Soldiers coming and those Soldiers going with courageous commitment, devoted duty and passionate patriotism as we all move forward," prayed Barnett.
Lt. Col. Charles Cody, commander, 101st Eng. Bn., followed Chap. Barnett with words of encouragement and honor for the 277th Eng. Co.
"Thank you for your service and sacrifice, you should be proud. You will always be a part of the 101st Eng. Bn.," said Cody.
In the past year, the 277th Eng. Co. has completed missions such as improving bridge embankments for route accessibility and reinforcing over eight miles of HESCO barriers to improve force protection on Forward Operating Base Hammer.
As new members of the 101st Eng. Bn., the battalion commander welcomed the 317th Eng. Co. into the family.
"You have big shoes to fill and I am sure you will do well," Cody stated.
The 317th is here to pick up the missions left behind by the 277th, continuing the journey and becoming a new portion of the "Nation's Oldest" history.
As new unit's colors were uncased; with the future unwritten, 1st. Lt. Richard Hamilton, of Lake Moor, Ill., the commander of the 317th Eng. Co., spoke words of praise and honor to his troops.
"Do not count the days, make the days count," said Hamilton.
| Date Taken: | 12.09.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 12.11.2009 00:28 |
| Story ID: | 42585 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 476 |
| Downloads: | 304 |
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