By 1st Lt. Derek Astorino
678th PAO
EASTOVER, S.C. - The South Carolina Army National Guard held an activation ceremony for the newest air defense artillery unit in the U.S. Army, the 678th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, 263rd Artillery Regiment. The uncasing of the colors ceremony was held at the Congaree Armory in Eastover, South Carolina, Feb. 20, 2016.
U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Glenn Bramhall, commander of the 263rd AAMDC, and Col. Frank Rice, commander of the 678th ADA Brigade, hosted the historic event.
Brig. Gen. Timothy Sheriff, deputy commander of the 263rd AAMDC, presided over the ceremony.
“It is an honor to be a part of the high speed unit, the 263rd AAMDC,” said Rice. “We are pleased and proud to be part of such a great organization.”
As one of the newest units in the U.S. Army, the 678th not only uncased a new guidon, but more than 100 Soldiers in the ranks also donned a new patch upon their sleeves. The patch bears a stylized missile to represent the type of weapon systems employed by the brigade, three cannon balls to denote the weapons employed in the past, and the palmetto tree branches with the crescent moon, which are associated with the South Carolina state flag, the home of the unit.
The new unit insignia was also presented, which bears four demi-columns to symbolize the four pillars of democracy: justice, equality, freedom and representation. It also includes the stylized missile, cannon ball, palmetto tree branches and crescent moon.
The activation ceremony is an Army tradition which serves two purposes, first it allows the commander the opportunity to assess the readiness and discipline of the unit and secondly, with the uncasing of the colors, marks a definite point in time to commemorate the beginning of a unit’s history and lineage.
“We are looking forward to continuing support of the National Capitol Region and the multitude of other training missions and mobilizations our Soldiers will execute in the future,” said Rice.