Local National Guard Company Recognized
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By David [email protected]
The men and women of the Army National Guard Company gathered at the Wagon Wheel Theatre over the weekend for the Freedom Salute Ceremony and briefings.
The Alpha Co., 1-293rd, based out of Warsaw, was part of the 76th Brigade that left for Iraq in March for Operation Iraqi Freedom. They had a send-off ceremony Jan. 2, 2008, in Indianapolis. The Brigade received mobilization orders in September 2007, and was the largest single mobilization in Indiana since World War II.[[In-content Ad]]Before the ceremony, Sgt. Rudy Hernandez said the briefings gave every soldier an opportunity to speak up and address their concerns. Counselors and financial consultants also were made available to any guardsman who needed their service.
Sgt. Kyle Baer gave the welcoming remarks for the Freedom Salute Ceremony.
"Freedom Salute is to honor soldiers for their deployment. To me, it is more than that," Baer said.
The U.S. is a nation at war. As a nation, he said, the country is spinning toward not getting a lot of support for its work.
Baer said there are three types of people in society. The wolves are terrorists with no remorse about causing havoc. Sheep are the average citizens living their lives, who are not causing any problems. They're just living their lives as they should, he said. The sheep dogs are the protectors of the sheep. The sheep dogs don't have a mean bone in their body, but have it within their ability to defend the sheep, whether they agree with the values of the sheep or not.
The ceremony honors the soldiers and the heroes who are protectors of freedom.
Baer then had all the soldiers stand up to be recognized. He then thanked the Alpha Co. friends, family and community members who supported the soldiers; the officers of Alpha Co. and the NCOs of Alpha Co.
"These NCOs are the glue that keep this company together," Baer said.
He then thanked the actual soldiers of the company. "That's why I do my job - for the soldier," Baer said. They did their job well, he said, and they made him, the other officers and the Guard look good.
Hernandez then welcomed the soldiers and their supporters to the Freedom Salute Ceremony. The ceremony is one of the National Guard's largest recognition campaigns in history, he said.
He then spoke about the tokens of appreciation each serviceman received.
The awards included a flag in a wooden case with an engraving. On that case also are the front and back of a coin. The engraving reads, "This flag is presented to a true American hero in recognition for your service and sacrifice in the cause of freedom. Your service will never be forgotten. From the grateful people of the nation."
Each soldier who was deployed for the first time also received a certificate, two lapel pins, a board game for their children and a medallion.
Second-time deployers received a certificate and a clock, having previously received the other awards.
A Mosaic print then was presented to 1st Sgt. Neal Gustin. The print acknowledges a person or organization that supported the unit and is a center of influence.
Baer then received a 14-inch Minuteman for his outstanding support of the Guard company. Baer then was to present the Minuteman to the chairperson of the Family Readiness Committee Sunday.
The men and women of the Army National Guard Company gathered at the Wagon Wheel Theatre over the weekend for the Freedom Salute Ceremony and briefings.
The Alpha Co., 1-293rd, based out of Warsaw, was part of the 76th Brigade that left for Iraq in March for Operation Iraqi Freedom. They had a send-off ceremony Jan. 2, 2008, in Indianapolis. The Brigade received mobilization orders in September 2007, and was the largest single mobilization in Indiana since World War II.[[In-content Ad]]Before the ceremony, Sgt. Rudy Hernandez said the briefings gave every soldier an opportunity to speak up and address their concerns. Counselors and financial consultants also were made available to any guardsman who needed their service.
Sgt. Kyle Baer gave the welcoming remarks for the Freedom Salute Ceremony.
"Freedom Salute is to honor soldiers for their deployment. To me, it is more than that," Baer said.
The U.S. is a nation at war. As a nation, he said, the country is spinning toward not getting a lot of support for its work.
Baer said there are three types of people in society. The wolves are terrorists with no remorse about causing havoc. Sheep are the average citizens living their lives, who are not causing any problems. They're just living their lives as they should, he said. The sheep dogs are the protectors of the sheep. The sheep dogs don't have a mean bone in their body, but have it within their ability to defend the sheep, whether they agree with the values of the sheep or not.
The ceremony honors the soldiers and the heroes who are protectors of freedom.
Baer then had all the soldiers stand up to be recognized. He then thanked the Alpha Co. friends, family and community members who supported the soldiers; the officers of Alpha Co. and the NCOs of Alpha Co.
"These NCOs are the glue that keep this company together," Baer said.
He then thanked the actual soldiers of the company. "That's why I do my job - for the soldier," Baer said. They did their job well, he said, and they made him, the other officers and the Guard look good.
Hernandez then welcomed the soldiers and their supporters to the Freedom Salute Ceremony. The ceremony is one of the National Guard's largest recognition campaigns in history, he said.
He then spoke about the tokens of appreciation each serviceman received.
The awards included a flag in a wooden case with an engraving. On that case also are the front and back of a coin. The engraving reads, "This flag is presented to a true American hero in recognition for your service and sacrifice in the cause of freedom. Your service will never be forgotten. From the grateful people of the nation."
Each soldier who was deployed for the first time also received a certificate, two lapel pins, a board game for their children and a medallion.
Second-time deployers received a certificate and a clock, having previously received the other awards.
A Mosaic print then was presented to 1st Sgt. Neal Gustin. The print acknowledges a person or organization that supported the unit and is a center of influence.
Baer then received a 14-inch Minuteman for his outstanding support of the Guard company. Baer then was to present the Minuteman to the chairperson of the Family Readiness Committee Sunday.
Have a news tip? Email [email protected] or Call/Text 360-922-3092