NYC firefighters send Strykehorse Soldiers token of appreciation

Photo By Staff Sgt. Lyndsey Prax | Soldiers from 2nd Squadron, 14th Cavalry Regiment "Strykehorse," 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team "Warrior," 25th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad, pose with a flag and a firehouse guidon that was sent to the unit as a gift from Engine 34 and Ladder 21 firefighters in Hell's Kitchen, New York City. The firefighters sent the flags to show the troops their support and appreciation.  

TAJI, IRAQ

08.11.2008

Story by Pfc. Lyndsey Prax 

2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division

Pfc. Lyndsey Dransfield
2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division

CAMP TAJI, Iraq – September 11, 2001, will be remembered throughout history. It's a day of remorse, a day of tragedy and a day the people of the United States remember the heroes who came forth and risked their lives in effort to protect our country.

New York City firefighters from Engine 34, Ladder 21, were amongst the fist responders to the World Trade Center that morning, and while they attempted to implement rescue and fire suppression efforts, just minutes away a United States flag was flying proudly above their fire house located in Hells Kitchen, New York City.

Until recently, that flag hung in the firehouse for six years.

The firefighters from the Hell's Kitchen station packed the flag in a care package and mailed it to Camp Taji to the Soldiers from 2nd Squadron, 14th Cavalry Regiment "Strykehorse," 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team "Warrior," 25th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad. The package also included a letter of appreciation, a fire house patch and their guidon.

"This flag is a strong and powerful piece of heritage. For them to send us something so significant, makes me feel very honored," said Command Sgt. Maj. Charles Cook, native of Paynesville, W.Va., and senior enlisted advisor for 2nd Sqdn. 14th Cav. Regt.

The unit plans to display the guidon in the 2nd Sqdn. 14th Cav. Regt. headquarters' trophy case as part of their heraldic items, but they are sending the flag back to the firehouse.

However, it won't be going back unacknowledged.

"We are going to respect this flag the same way we would if it was our own piece of history," said Capt. Drew Webb, native of Monterey, Calif., physician assistant with 2nd Sqdn., 14th Cav. Regt. "Each platoon from 2nd Bn., 14th Cav. Regt. will take the flag on a mission with them, and when the mission is complete, we'll have the Soldiers unfold the flag and together, hold it up while a photo is taken."

The goal is to have the hand of every Soldier from the unit here in Iraq touch the flag before it's returned, he said.

"They sent us this flag because they haven't forgotten why we are here," said Cook. "We're sending it back because we want them to know we haven't forgotten what they did for us."

• Date Taken: 08.11.2008
• Date Posted: 08.11.2008 10:47
• Story ID: 22357
• Location: TAJI, IQ