Photo By Staff Sgt. Timothy Sander | Lt. Col. Vernon Beatty, Commander of the 710th Brigade Support Battalion, affixes the...... read more read more
Sgt. Tim Sander
345th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
FORWARD OPERATING BASE SALERNO, Afghanistan (June 14, 2006) - Under the intense Afghanistan sun, proud Soldiers stood side by side at attention. One by one, their leaders stepped in front of them to recognize their efforts in the Global War on Terrorism during the Army's 231st birthday celebration June 14.
With a quick, firm slap, their commander affixed the 10th Mountain Division patch to the right sleeve of the Army Combat Uniform, a sleeve that is reserved for patches earned only through service in a combat environment.
"On this day, we celebrate a birth; new life of a people joined together to fight against tyranny, to throw off oppression and to fight for freedom," said Chaplain Lt. Col. Andy Gibson, one of five chaplains stationed at Forward Operating Base Salerno, Afghanistan.
"We are placing a patch on our right shoulders to acknowledge that we are picking up that mantle of freedom; we not only defend our own country, but we bring that sense of freedom to live, work and worship to lands that are far from our own," he added.
Soldiers joined together to sing the Army song before falling out to eat cake and socialize with their fellow comrades.
For many Soldiers, the patch is a symbol of accomplishment.
"When you're presented your first patch for real combat operations, especially when some of your buddies aren't there because they didn't make it, it's probably the most wonderful and appreciated award you can receive. It seemed to give me a feeling of worth and accomplishment," said 1st Sgt. Patrick Muir, first sergeant for Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, who personally awarded the patch to his Soldiers with the help of his company commander.
Muir, a former Special Forces soldier of 15 years, was awarded his first combat patch for participating in Operation Desert Storm and says it's an experience he will never forget.
"I got my combat patch for Operation Desert Storm when I was with Special Forces," said Muir. "To be presented something for the magnitude at which Desert Storm was (the first major conflict since Vietnam), it was really heartfelt; I was very proud," he added.
The symbolic meaning of the Army Combat Patch is much more intricate than the treads that form the patch.
"Overall, the patch is a representation of you sacrificing your time away from your family, time away from your country, doing a job that most Americans would not want to do," Muir said.
"Those sacrifices range from the chow that you're forced to eat because it's the only facility available, to the living conditions, to working anywhere from 12 to 24 hours a day without weekends off," said Muir. "There's just a multitude of sacrifices that go along with wearing the combat patch," he added.
For the Soldiers assigned to FOB Salerno, this seems to be a birthday they will remember for many years.
"Wear that patch with pride!" said Chaplain Gibson at the end of the ceremony. "Not a pride in yourself, but pride in the God that got you here!"
| Date Taken: | 07.11.2006 |
| Date Posted: | 07.11.2006 14:55 |
| Story ID: | 7135 |
| Location: | KHOST, AF |
| Web Views: | 103 |
| Downloads: | 38 |
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