Courtesy Photo | Command Sgt. Maj. Frank M. Leota (right), command sergeant major of the 25th Infantry...... read more read more
Subscribe
BAGHDAD—It wasn’t their first day in the Army—nor was it the first deployment for some—but for the 176 soldiers standing in formation, it was their first combat patch.
Soldiers with the 25th Infantry Division, United States Division – Center, were awarded shoulder sleeve insignia-former wartime service, commonly known as a combat patch, Jan. 14, during a ceremony at Camp Liberty, Iraq.
Pfc. Puakaleihua Westbrooks, a protocol specialist with the 25th Inf. Div., received her first combat patch with her husband, Pfc. David Westbrooks, a mechanic with the 25th Inf. Div.
“This whole experience has been insane,” she said. “We’ve been together more than two years. It will be our first year married in May. We joined (the Army) together and got stationed together out of (advanced individual training), deployed together and now this.”
Command Sgt. Maj. Frank M. Leota, command sergeant major of the 25th Inf. Div., said while the division has deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan before, this deployment means something special, as U.S. forces are assisting, training and advising the Iraqi security forces in building a more stable and secure Iraq.
“These soldiers know and understand that what they are doing is making a difference,” he said.
Sgt. 1st Class April Murray, plans and casualty operations non-commissioned officer-in-charge with the 25th Inf. Div., said it wasn’t until after the ceremony that the gravity of the experience hit her.
“It was a most humbling experience when you think about all the Soldiers who have served and sacrificed so much,” she said.
Tropic Lightning soldiers arrived at Camp Liberty December 2010 for a 12-month deployment to continue to support the advise and train mission as part of Operation New Dawn.
“Since 1933, the 25th Inf. Div. has made significant contributions in every conflict and you are now a visible part of those accomplishments,” said Maj. Gen. Bernard S. Champoux, commanding general of the 25th Inf. Div. “We’re going to ask a lot of you, but give you less, and I know every man and woman here is up to the challenge. I am very proud of you.”
| Date Taken: | 01.17.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 01.17.2011 08:55 |
| Story ID: | 63688 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 243 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, USD-C ‘Tropic Lightning’ soldiers don first combat patch, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
