108th Sustainment Brigade soldiers don combat service patch

Photo By Staff Sgt. Michael Camacho | Army National Guard Photo by Staff Sgt. Michael Camacho, 108th Sustainment Brigade Public Affairs/ Maj. Timothy Newman of Mahomet, Ill., the support operations officer of the 108th Sustainment Brigade from Chicago places combat service a patch on the right shoulder of Spc. Erica Pettis of Chicago, assigned the support operation section during a ceremony March 6 at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait.  

CAMP ARIFJAN, KUWAIT

03.11.2014

Story by Staff Sgt. Michael Camacho 

34th Division Sustainment Brigade

CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait – Soldiers with the 108th Sustainment Brigade from Chicago took part in a combat patching ceremony March 6 at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait.

“Today we witness soldiers receiving the right to wear the 108th Sustainment Brigade’s patch as the shoulder sleeve insignia for combat service,” said Lt. Col. Dan Williams of Nashville, Tenn., with the 108th Sust. Bde.

Williams said while the patch is a simple piece of cloth, it is a symbol of the commitment to the service members’ call of duty, recent and past, and all those who have served in overseas combat operations.

“You are now a part of a time honored tradition, band of brothers and sisters who will forever be known as ‘combat veterans,’” said Williams.

Spc. Crystal Nuñez of Chicago with the 108th Special Troops Battalion said she will wear her combat patch knowing the meaning of the 108th’s shoulder sleeve insignia and the military heritage it carries as ‘Chicago’s Brigade.’

“I felt pride when the battalion commander patched me and the battalion sergeant major told me “be proud, today is a good day,’” said Nuñez.

While the brigade was established in 2006 it carries a lineage dating back to 1936.The 108th Sust. Bde. shoulder sleeve insignia was approved in November 2006 shortly before the brigade was officially activated a month later. The patch design alludes to the five military branches as it incorporates the 13 stars representing the first American colonies which adorn the wheel of logistics. The ‘Y’ in the center of the patch pays homage to where the North Branch and Chicago Rivers join.

“The brigade carries a long history of supporting overseas combat operations,” said Col. Drew Dukett of Roodhouse, Ill., commander of the 108th Sust. Bde.

Dukett said this ceremony is yet another mile stone in the unit’s history of supporting the warfighter where ever they may be.
“A combat patch is a sign of overseas service among veterans,” said Col. Drew Dukett of Roodhouse, commander of the 108th Sustainment Brigade. “I know each Soldier will wear it proudly for years to come.”

• Date Taken: 03.11.2014
• Date Posted: 03.14.2014 04:19
• Story ID: 121989
• Location: CAMP ARIFJAN, KW