BAGHDAD - For many of the soldiers in the 50th Signal Battalion (Expeditionary) the 2011 deployment in support of Operation New Dawn is their first one.
The deployment patch was awarded to soldiers embarking on their first deployment in a designated combat zone in a ceremony held at Camp Beuhring, Kuwait, May 28. The commander of the 50th Signal Battalion (Expeditionary), Lt. Col. Kathy Fox, conducted the ceremony along with the Battalion Command Sergeant Major, Command Sgt. Maj. Shannon Cromartie.
First time deployers of each company were awarded their deployment patch by their respective company commander and first sergeant.
Headquarters and Headquarters Company soldiers were awarded their patch by Capt. Lauren Congo, and 1st Sgt. Wendle Marshall, Capt. Rossmary D. Alvarado and 1st Sgt. Charles Royal awarded Alpha Company soldiers their deployment patches, Bravo Company soldiers were awarded by Capt. Michael A. Ranado and 1st Sgt. Joseph Wells, Capt. Edward P. Boyd and 1st Sgt. John Bond awarded their soldiers with their deployment patches.
The staff elements were awarded their patch by Lt. Col. Kathy Fox and Command Sgt. Maj. Shannon Cromartie. Battalion Adjutant, Capt. Jennifer Lichty, Network Officer, 2nd Lt. Jessica Yahn, and S3 Operations, 1st Lt. Jared Long were awarded their patches along with the LAN officer-in-charge, Cpt. Justin Decker, the battalion chaplain, Capt. Linda Murtala, and the chaplain’s assistant, Pvt. Josiah Ingels.
The 50th Signal Battalion (Expeditionary) was last deployed in 2009-2010 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, with the responsibility of providing strategic signal assets to customers throughout the Iraqi Joint Area of Operations. The 50th Signal Battalion (Expeditionary) has just arrived in theater in support of Operation New Dawn, and will be replacing the 151st Expeditionary Signal Battalion. Successful completion of Operation New Dawn’s mission will require a great deal of support from the soldiers of the 50th Signal Battalion (Expeditionary).
After the ceremony many soldiers had some interesting feelings and thoughts on the deployment patch.
Pfc. Daniel Brown, 50th Signal Battalion (Expeditionary) Mail Clerk, stated, “I love my deployment patch very much and I am proud to wear it. I have been in the Army a little over a year and have received my first deployment patch. Most soldiers are not given the opportunity to earn their first patch this early in their career.”
Cpt. Michael A. Ranado, Commander of Bravo Company stated, "From the first shoulder sleeve insignia or unit patch of the 81st Infantry Division during the First World War, soldiers have shown pride in the organization that they belong to. Soldiers who are combat veterans are authorized permanent wear of that unit patch, on their right shoulder, throughout their career showing that they have served their country while at war. It was an honor and privilege to bestow such insignia on the first time deployers of the Bravo Company “Red Bulls,” and in doing so welcoming them to a growing community of American citizens who have chosen to make personal sacrifices in support of the global war on terror."
First Sgt. Wendle Marshall, first sergeant of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, said, “To share the patch that's worn on my right shoulder that represents service in combat with those that are dawning theirs for the first time means everything to me. For me it displays my loyalty to them and the unit that we are currently in during one of the greatest challenges that we will face as soldiers. I have the privilege of leading and serving with them as they navigate through the many obstacles that are presented to soldiers while in combat for the first time. I will share the ups and downs, pain and joy and ultimately when it's all said and done, we will share the success of mission accomplishment when our time has passed and we return to our families. This is truly a ‘New Dawn’.”
| Date Taken: | 06.23.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 06.23.2011 03:05 |
| Story ID: | 72586 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 743 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, 50th Signal Battalion (Expeditionary) deployment patch ceremony, by SGT Amber McLamb, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
