Photo By Staff Sgt. Robert Walden | Members of the 115th Fires Brigade formed the band "Local Joes" and perform at many of...... read more read more
As the cool December sky darkened and the call of sea birds slowed along the coast of Camp Patriot, Kuwait, service members from the Army, Navy and Coast Guard, which make up the 115th Fires Brigade, gathered onboard the William B. Bunker, an LSV-4 transport vessel, for their annual St. Barbara induction ceremony, Dec. 5, 2009.
Appropriate for the occasion, a red haze from the onboard lighting was cast across the deck of the ship where artillerymen, and others that have played an important role in the brigade's mission, celebrated the occasion by eating local Kuwait food, smoking cigars, and sharing stories with each other about adventures from the past while listening to live music provided from the band Local Joes, which is composed of members from the 115th Fires Brigade.
During the ceremony, Soldiers who were already members of the Order of St. Barbara wore red shirts under their ACU's signifying their membership to the fraternity.
After the meal was served and eaten, the ceremony began with toasts to the President of the United States and the spouses who support us at home. The Vice President of the Mess, Capt. Scott Gromer, called the Masters of Punch, Sgt. Maj. William Frost and Master Sgt. Micheal Smith, forward to make the Field Artillery Punch.
Artillery punch has been enjoyed by artillerymen for many years during socials as a source of courage. It is also believed to be a brew of medical value. "It will cure what ails you, or it will ensure you don't care," said Gromer. "We wean our children on it and carry it in our thermos jugs to ward off the win¬ter's chill. In a pinch, it is an effective bore cleaner for the cannon, lubricant for the breech or propel¬lant for the missile."
Battalion commanders assisted in creating the punch by adding Ingredients that represent past conflicts that artillerymen from the 115th Fires Brigade have been involved in. Some of the ingredients added were: a red liquid symbolizing royalty, and the King of Battle, field artillery; a yellow liquid symbolizing the rain water collected from the roofs of Manila brought home by 115th soldiers fighting in the Philippine Insurrection; and a brown powder symbolizing tears of the spouses, which have been shed for the men and women of this Brigade during every war and campaign of its history.
To test the punch and ensure its quality, Col. Richard Knowlton, commander, 115th Fires brigade, was asked to taste the mixture. Knowlton added the final ingredient, gun powder and declared the punch satisfactory, and "Just like last year."
The inductees were then called forth and presented a certificate accepting them into the order of St. Barbara and a cup filled with Field Artillery punch. A toast was made welcoming them to the fraternity, and all the inductees drank a full cup of punch together.
Two new members of the Honorable order of Saint Barbara, Spc. Adrian Avilla of the 151 CBRN and Staff Sgt. Thomas Rabjohn of the 363rd EOD, gave the ultimate sacrifice for their Nation while serving on this deployment. They were accepted into the fraternity post-humously.
The poem, 'Fiddlers Green,' which is about a special place in heaven for artillerymen, was read by Staff Sgt. Johnson as Sgt. Tyrell Peterson from Local Joe's band played a fiddle in the background.
To conclude the ceremony, Brig. Gen. Mark MacCarley, deputy commanding general, 1st Theater Sustainment Command, addressed the group as the guest of honor.
"You have exceeded even your own expectations while engaging in non doctrinal missions that are absolutely essential to our success here in Kuwait, Iraq, and onward to Afghanistan," said MacCarley speaking about the 115th Fires Brigade's accomplishments. "You've done it and you've done it well."
Saint Barbara has come to be known as the patroness for those in danger from thunderstorms, fire, and explosions. Cannon misfires, muzzle bursts and exploding weapons were not uncommon in the early days of Field artillery so artillerymen often sought the protection of Saint Barbara.
Service members who have served in the United States Field Artillery with distinction, and have demonstrated the highest standards of integrity, moral character and professional competence are honored along with stone hurlers, archers, canonneers and rocketeers from the past by being inducted into the Honorable Order of Saint Barbara.
| Date Taken: | 12.05.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 02.05.2010 04:59 |
| Story ID: | 44961 |
| Location: | CAMP PATRIOT, KW |
| Web Views: | 352 |
| Downloads: | 202 |
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