Blackhawk Brigade receives combat patch

Photo By Bethany Huff | Soldiers of the 172nd Support Battalion stand in formation after receiving their combat patch in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom VI during an evening bonfire ceremony at the brigade headquarters on Forward Operating Base Kalsu, Jan. 1.  

ISKANDARIYAH, IRAQ

01.01.2009

Story by Staff Sgt. Michael Taylor 

Multi-National Division-Central

By Sgt. Michael J. Taylor
Multi-National Division - Center

FORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU, Iraq - The 172nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team donned their combat patches in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom VI during an evening bonfire ceremony on Forward Operating Base Kalsu, Jan. 1.

"The patch you receive tonight goes on your right sleeve because it is yours," said Col. Jeffrey A. Sinclair, Blackhawk Brigade commander.

"It is yours for the rest of your life; yours to give to your children; yours to show your friends; it is yours as a symbol of brotherhood and sisterhood inside of an organization that only you can make special."

Members of the Blackhawk Brigade, based out of Grafenwoehr, Germany, deployed to Iraq in November.

Many of the Blackhawk Soldiers are returning to Iraq for their second or third deployment. For those serving on their first deployment, the Blackhawk commander had a special message:

"For the Soldiers here tonight, which this is your first combat experience, just remember this is a welcoming into a brotherhood and sisterhood of great Soldiers who have come before you and will come after you.

"This patch is about caring and serving for something bigger than yourselves. Tonight, you take the time and figure out in your own heart what this patch means to you," Sinclair added.

• Date Taken: 01.01.2009
• Date Posted: 01.05.2009 09:56
• Story ID: 28468
• Location: ISKANDARIYAH, IQ