Photo By Cpl. Zachary Mangas | Soldiers of Charlie Company, 1st Combined Arms Battalion, 194th Armor, based out of...... read more read more
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CAMP VIRGINIA, Kuwait - It’s not every day a company serving overseas in a combat zone has the chance to receive their combat patches on top of one of the oldest buildings known to man, but for a group of Minnesota National Guard soldiers this possibility became a reality.
Charlie Company, 1st Combined Arms Battalion, 194th Armor (Company C, 1-194 CAB), based out of Sauk Centre, Minn., was deployed to Camp Virginia, Kuwait, in the middle of July to assist in Operation New Dawn – the drawdown of American forces from Iraq. Their year-long mission has them on the road for the majority of time. It’s called convoy escort security – providing protection to large semi-size trucks hauling supplies in and out of Iraq.
Since they arrived overseas the company has accomplished a great deal. As of Oct. 1, the company has traveled more than 100,000 miles in Iraq and has escorted more than 4,000 trucks safely through the desert land. As a result of being deployed to an area of operation where there is combat action, Charlie Company was awarded the combat patch.
On Sept. 11, a group of soldiers from Charlie Company had just reached a stopping point on one of their missions in the south eastern area of Iraq when they were told they would be receiving the Red Bull combat patch to wear on their right shoulder.
“It was a normal mission for us,” said Spc. Luke A. Peterson, an armor crewman from Duluth, Minn. “We had been on the road escorting trucks for close to nine hours and were ready to take showers and get some sleep when word came down that our sergeant major worked it out with the Iraqi police to let us receive our patches on top of the ziggurat.”
The Ziggurat of Ur dates back thousands of years. It was constructed in a city called Ur, which was located in the present-day Dhi Qar province of Iraq. As a temple with other buildings linked to the dwelling place, the step-like pyramids were built in honor of a moon god named Nanna. Only priests were allowed inside to offer sacrifices to this god and one priest was always stationed inside to act as a guard. The base of the ziggurat served as an area of resting courters with a kitchen.
It is said the total length of the structure measured 210 feet and 150 feet in width. The top of the ziggurat where a temple would have been never survived over the years but it is estimated to have stood around 100 feet in height. The ziggurat was the heart of the city. Built out of mud, reed and oven baked bricks – archeologists say it was surrounded by other buildings which are now long gone - withered away by time.
According to the Bible, Abraham, one of the earliest documented human beings– lived in this area where the ziggurat is located. Christianity believes this would be the origin of human life.
“It’s pretty surreal to think of it this way – something I’ll remember for the rest of my life,” said Andrew L. Schmaltz, an infantryman from Big Lake, Minn. “Most guys my age are in college or working back home. Here I am at the birthplace of man receiving my combat patch.”
When the soldiers reached the top of the steps they could see the far distant span of open desert. These individuals who hailed from all corners of Minnesota had found themselves in a place they never thought they would be – the earliest standing grounds of all civilization. After a period of exploring the structure it was time to fulfill the objective of the mission.
Standing in formation at the top while others manned the
gun trucks at the bottom, Sgt. Maj. Judson Meyer placed the red bull insignia on the right shoulder of the awe struck soldiers.
The Red Bull insignia is assigned to the 34th Infantry Division, which Charlie Company is apart of. The design was created by a soldier in 1917 that depicted the training grounds of Camp Cody, N.M., with a red steer over a black Mexican water jug called an “olla.” The Red Bulls received their nickname in World War II after German troops started calling them “Red Devils” or “Red Bulls.”
“It was one of those things that I wouldn’t change for the world,” said Spc. Peterson. “Twenty years down the line when I’m talking to my kids and grand kids I can tell them where I was on the 10th anniversary of 9/11 – in Iraq, helping to finish this war.”
The events of 9/11 affected all of America and the rest of the world. It was an awakening for thousands of young men and women everywhere. For many, it was a call to serve – including those of Charlie Company.
“September 11, 2001. It’s why I’m here,” said Spc. Ryan D. Steinhoffer, an armor crewman from Sedan, Minn. “I never thought something like that could happen to our country, but it did. The loss of life that day is without question horrible. Since then, so many have sacrificed to make sure an event of that nature never occurs on U.S. soil again. We’re going to honor them by finishing the job here in Iraq.”
Over half of Charlie Company has been deployed to a combat zone previously. In 2005, Company C was sent overseas to fight during Operation Iraqi Freedom. They spent 16 months in-country - one of the longest deployed units in Iraq since the war began.
Sgt. Aaron J. McGowan, a signal support systems specialist from Lakeville, Minn., has taken part in both deployments and is happy to see his fellow brothers and sisters receive the significant insignia.
“It’s great to see my guys who have never deployed before receive their combat patch after spending so much time training and running missions,” said Sgt. McGowan. “People recognize the 1st Brigade Combat Team patch of the 34th Infantry Division throughout the whole theater of operations because of what we accomplished during Operation Iraqi Freedom and now Operation New Dawn. It’s something I’ll always carry on my right shoulder for the rest of my military career. I’m happy to see more soldiers patched into the tradition.”
Soldiers who were not patched at the ziggurat that day were back at Camp Virginia having a ceremony of their own. The 194th Armor Battalion, including Charlie Company, stood in formation while Lt. Col. Brian Melton and Command Sgt. Maj. John Lepowsky approached each Company to grant them their combat patches. With the flag of the red, white and blue and the Minnesota state flag flying overhead, the battalion spent their ceremony honoring and remembering those who lost their lives 10 years ago in the attacks and in the war on terror.
“We will never forget the lives lost that September morning ten years ago,” Capt. John M. Hobot, commander of Crazyhorse. “We are going to finish the job we started here last deployment during the troop surge and leave proud with what we have accomplished in Iraq.
Today is a day to reflect on what we really have in the United States, a society that accepts political differences and diversity among it’s people which is protected by the blanket of freedom and democracy. I wish the same for the people of Iraq during this transitional time as they move closer to a democratic free society.”
| Date Taken: | 09.11.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 10.06.2011 03:43 |
| Story ID: | 78100 |
| Location: | CAMP VIRGINIA, KW |
| Web Views: | 154 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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