Warm wishes from overseas

Photo By Sandra Ates | Soldiers of the 288th Sapper Company, Houston, Miss., listen as they are briefed by Sgt. Daniel Barkley on their convoy mission in Afghanistan.  

URUZGAN, AFGHANISTAN

12.26.2011

Courtesy Story

102d Public Affairs Detachment

URUZGAN, Afghanistan -- While family and friends back home in Mississippi were sound asleep, the soldiers of the 288th Sapper Company of Houston, Miss., were up doing mounted patrols in Afghanistan.

The company, tasked to do clearance missions, started its morning going to a mission briefing. The briefing was followed by the 233rd Engineer Battalion's chaplain, 1st Lt. Jason Bird, giving a special Christmas prayer for all the soldiers.

"It was nice having the Chaplain here, the night before he gave a good sermon and we all hung out by a bon fire. It definitely made this Christmas a bit more special," said Spc. Patrick Griffith of Amory, Miss.

The Christmas prayer was just the start of the soldiers' day.

The convoy started out on their five-hour mission, clearing mostly unimproved roads around the base. When the convoy returned with a report of an uneventful mission in searching for improvised explosive device, they were fed a traditional Australian Christmas lunch (featuring shrimp, mussels, salmon and calamari). This was followed by a special gift-giving ceremony--their combat patch ceremony.

This ceremony is held once a company has spent 30 days in country. The battalion commander replaces the old patch on the subordinate unit's uniforms with the combat patch of the parent unit, in this case was the 168th Engineer Brigade of Vicksburg, Miss. Lt. Col. Michael Cleveland, commander of Task Force Knight Battalion first replaced the patch of Capt. Brenton Montgomery, the company commander, who in turn replaces patches of the platoon leaders, and the first sergeant. Gerald Greenwood, the 288th Sappers first sergeant, changes the rest of the unit's patches for all soldiers in the unit.

"Having the combat patch ceremony on Christmas made the day very special," said Griffith. "It wasn't just any other day, it was Christmas day. What made it more special is that this is my fist combat patch. It makes me proud."

When soldiers were asked to compare this Christmas to last, the answer was a unanimous "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde or night and day." Christmas here does not compare to being home safely with family and friends.

"I miss being at home," said Richland, Miss., resident Spc. Zeb Scarborough, "But this is our job. This is what we're here to do. Plus, I wasn't totally away from family, my cousin is here also."

Following the combat patch ceremony, the warriors were released so that they could use Skype to talk with families at home, and watch opening gifts on Christmas morning.

The 288th Sapper Company is headquartered in Houston, Miss., and currently serving with the 223rd Engineer Battalion of West Point, Miss.

• Date Taken: 12.26.2011
• Date Posted: 12.28.2011 09:27
• Story ID: 81807
• Location: URUZGAN, AF