Mother and son celebrate promotion in Iraq

Photo By Maj. Efrem Gibson | TALLIL, Iraq – Command Sgt. Maj. Rue Mayweather and Capt. Kenieth Mayweather, a mother and son pair deployed to Iraq in support of Operation New Dawn share an embrace Oct. 7 on Camp Adder, Iraq, after Rue promoted Kenieth to the rank of captain. This is the first time the mother and son team have been deployed together, and they have managed to spend time together on several occasions despite the constant demands of a deployed environment. Rue works at a critical thinking cell of U.S. Forces-Iraq, and Kenieth is an Apache pilot assigned to the Enhanced Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Infantry Division. (U.S. Army photo)  

TALLIL, IRAQ

10.09.2010

Story by Capt. Efrem Gibson 

Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Infantry Division

TALLIL, Iraq – “I am happy and glad it’s done.”

That is how Kenieth Mayweather, described his promotion to the rank of captain, Oct.7, on Camp Adder, Iraq. His mother, Sgt. Maj. Rue Mayweather, was there to share the special moment. She performed the ceremonial “pinning” and the first salute to her son as a captain.

“I’ve been to every one of his promotions,” said Rue. “I wouldn’t have missed this for the world.”

Rue has always been proud of her son. “Kenieth always expressed a desire to excel,” she said. “I am happy for him today like I was when he first enlisted in the Army, and also commissioned as an officer.”

Kenieth is an AH-64 Apache attack helicopter pilot and battle captain for the 1st Attack Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Aviation Regiment, Enhanced Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Infantry Division. Rue works at U.S. Forces-Iraq, the Army’s headquarters element in the country.

This is the first time Kenieth and Rue have been deployed together, but Kenieth’s promotion is not the first event in Iraq they have shared together.

Rue traveled from Baghdad to surprise her son with a visit for Mother’s Day earlier this year.

“I feel blessed to have been a part of every special event for him in his career,” said Rue.

To celebrate the promotion, Kenieth and Rue will try one of the restaurants on the base.

“There’s no Olive Garden here, so I guess this will do,” said Kenieth.

This deployment will most likely be the only time they serve together in the same location. Rue plans to complete her deployment early next year, and then retire after 30 years of service. Kenieth is looking forward to his future assignment as a platoon leader for Charlie Co., 1-1 ARB.

“I’ve done everything I’ve wanted to do,” Rue said, reflecting on her career. “My son can take over from here.”

• Date Taken: 10.09.2010
• Date Posted: 10.09.2010 08:54
• Story ID: 57816
• Location: TALLIL, IQ