Photo By Master Sgt. Caleb Barrieau | Gen Lloyd J. Austin III, commander of United States Forces – Iraq, motions to the...... read more read more
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CONTINGENCY OPERATING SITE WARHORSE, Iraq – A sea of gray and tan digital camouflage spread across a patch of gravel, as still as the mid-morning air.
Concrete tiles cut a path through the center of the mass, ending in a row of bright white placards. Crests of U.S. Army units adorn the top of the placards, long lists of names of fallen Soldiers meticulously painted beneath them.
Soldiers from 2nd Advise and Assist Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, deployed to U.S. Division-North in support of Operation New Dawn celebrated Veterans Day by attending the unveiling of the Warrior Brigade and 25th Inf. Div. crests at Contingency Operating Site Warhorse, Iraq, Nov. 11.
“We pause this morning to honor veterans of all wars as we unveil the 2nd AAB crest,” Capt. Stephen Dunsford, the chief of operations for Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd AAB, 25th Inf. Div. said, addressing the soldiers. “We demonstrate our respect and solidarity with our fellow veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom. As the ‘Warrior’ Brigade crest takes its place on the Wall of Honor, we affirm to finish the U.S. Operation Iraqi Freedom mission with honor, and win the future by facilitating the transition of Iraq as an emerging U.S. strategic partner through our service in Operation New Dawn.”
The painted crest took its place on the “Wall of Honor” among the crests of other units that previously served at COS Warhorse during previous deployments.
Staff Sgt. Gordon Freeman, assistant operations sergeant, 2nd AAB, drew the outline for the 2nd AAB and 25th Inf. Div. crests on the concrete barrier wall with chalk before the painter, a local Iraqi citizen, added color to the design.
Freemen, a native of Sacramento, Calif., said the crests were painted about two weeks prior to the ceremony to symbolize the 2nd AAB’s presence at COS Warhorse.
“It is our mark of being here,” said Freeman. “It also symbolizes a new step for the Iraqi people as we draw down U.S. Forces.”
A smaller set of barriers stands between the two rows of taller concrete walls. Placards with lists of the names of fallen soldiers from each unit that has served at COS Warhorse in Iraq are plastered to the faces of these shorter walls, comprising the COS Warhorse Memorial Garden.
This memorial garden was built as a reminder of the sacrifices made by so many in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn.
Col. Malcolm Frost, the 2nd AAB commander, and Command Sgt. Maj. William Hain, the brigade’s senior enlisted leader, placed a wreath of vibrant flowers at the base of the COS Warhorse Memorial Garden in honor of the soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving at COS Warhorse.
Frost also thanked those who have served and returned home.
“To all our veterans, I have a simple yet heart-felt message on behalf of those of us in uniform today,” Frost said. “Thank you for all you have done and for your service. Your shining example continues to inspire those who follow in your footsteps.”
Over 340 names have been panted onto the memorial during the seven years of conflict in Iraq.
| Date Taken: | 11.11.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 11.25.2010 03:19 |
| Story ID: | 60858 |
| Location: | CONTINGENCY OPERATING SITE WARHORSE, IQ |
| Web Views: | 41 |
| Downloads: | 2 |
This work, ‘Warrior’ Brigade Soldiers honor veterans, by SGT Robert M. England, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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