Photo By Sgt. Daniel Haun | Members of the South Carolina Agri-Business Development Team deployed to Afghanistan's...... read more read more
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LOGAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan - Members of the South Carolina Agri-Business Development Team deployed to Afghanistan's Logar province donned the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team's Patch for the first time in a combat patch ceremony, April 9.
The shoulder sleeve insignia recognizes wartime service and is a representation of the time Soldiers spent abroad.
"It shows you've served alongside other Soldiers, for other Soldiers, and for your country and state. There's a certain level of pride to wearing the patch," said U.S. Army Sgt. Frederic Moore, a team leader with the South Carolina Agri-Business Development Team Security Force and Sumter, S.C., native.
U.S. Army Sgt. Eddie Creel, a Beaufort, S.C., native and team leader with the Development Team Security Force, agreed.
"I'm really proud of my young Soldiers, and the patch that they wear shows a commitment to their country, and a commitment to their job," said Creel.
U.S. Army Sgt. Kimberly Dixon, a Kershaw, S.C., native and Large Animal Specialist with the development team, said a lot of the pride comes from being able to represent her state.
"I'm full of pride because I was born and raised in South Carolina, so I'm very proud to be able to represent the state here," Dixon said.
"There's a lot of pride representing the state under this patch, and being able to serve our state and our country for this operation in Afghanistan," Moore said.
"I'm proud of our state, I'm proud of the job we're doing and I'm proud of our Soldiers. We're happy to be here and it's an important mission," Creel said.
Dixon said that she joined the Army primarily for the purpose of earning a combat patch by helping people overseas.
"One of the main reasons I joined originally was to deploy, so I could help people over here who really need the help," Dixon said.
Creel shared the same sentiment.
"We're giving people here a future, a future to sustain themselves, and a future to get away from those who've oppressed them for years. It's important for us to build an agricultural base so they can actually feed themselves and be self-sufficient," Creel said.
"These people are learning different skills and, more important than anything, they are learning how to put their government into place," Moore said.
U.S. Army Col. Michael Dunn, commander of the South Carolina Agri-Business Development Team thanked the team at the patch ceremony for their dedication.
"It's hard for me to find the words to express the pride I have in each of you and the team as a whole," said Dunn. "As I've mentioned so many times before, it's an honor to be a part of this team. You have excelled at every task, and proven your professionalism and dedication under adverse conditions and enemy contact."
Dunn acknowledged the storied history associated with the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team and the patch it honors.
"We fall under an elite organization that has a tremendous history throughout the twentieth century, with extended participation in major wars and conflicts like Vietnam and in today's wars in Iraq and Afghanistan," Dunn said.
Dunn left them by proposing they maintain this history and pride the rest of the deployment.
"Be proud of your accomplishments, wear the combat patch proudly, understand that we have a long way to go and as you have already proven, be diligent in every task and mission," Dunn said.
| Date Taken: | 04.09.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 04.11.2010 13:16 |
| Story ID: | 47975 |
| Location: | AF |
| Web Views: | 207 |
| Downloads: | 103 |
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