WHITESTONE, N.Y. — New York Army National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Whitestone-based 14th Finance Company said goodbye to family members and military leaders during a mobilization ceremony at Edward M. McKee American Legion Post 131 on Friday, August 28.
The ceremony marked the unit's final gathering before moving to their mobilization station to prepare for an overseas deployment.
Staff Sgt. Muhammad Islam served as the commander of troops for the event, while 1st Lt. Nick Guillen, the company's executive officer, served as the master of ceremonies. Guillen thanked the members of American Legion Post 131 for hosting the 14th and other Guard finance units for more than 20 years during operational departures and homecomings.
The ceremony drew senior leaders from across the New York National Guard, including Col. Bryon Linnehan, commander of the 369th Division Sustainment Brigade; Lt. Col. Justin Couts, chief of staff of the 53rd Troop Command; Command Sgt. Maj. Leylan Jones, the senior enlisted leader for the New York Army National Guard; and Command Sgt. Maj. Alfonso Villacres, the senior enlisted leader for the 27th Finance Battalion.
Lt. Col. Sara Mitchell, the commander of the 27th Finance Battalion, told the deploying Soldiers that their preparation will carry them through the challenges of a new mission location.
"While this is an exciting deployment because it is a different location than what we’re used to, that difference also brings unknowns, which can make some of us uneasy," Mitchell said.
"The state of military operations across the globe also continues to be fluid, with many unknowns for the future,” she added. “But what we do know is that this group of Soldiers is trained and ready."
Mitchell also emphasized the crucial role military families play in sustaining the force during long mobilizations.
"Your strength allows our Soldiers to focus on their mission," Mitchell told the families. "We thank you for your sacrifices and promise to support your Soldiers while they are away. “
Our battalion is still here at home to support all of you,” she explained.
Capt. Kenneth Roque, the 14th Finance Company commander, urged the detachment to rely on each other and maintain their professional standards while operating downrange.
"Look at the people beside you," Roque said. "These are the people that you will rely on over the coming months.
“You will work together, face challenges together, laugh together... But the bond that you will build during this deployment will stay with you for years to come,” he added.
Roque reminded the troops that they carry the reputation of the organization wherever they serve.
"Never forget that you represent the 14th with professionalism, represent your families with pride, and represent the U.S. Army with honor," Roque said. "Accomplish the mission, take care of each other, and most importantly, come home safe."
First Lt. Evans Martey, the deploying commander, said that while financial operations rarely make headlines, military sustainment cannot function without them.
"Our work is truly essential," Martey said.
"Every Soldier, every unit, every mission has a financial requirement that must be met,” he explained. “We enable readiness, we sustain the force, and we make the mission possible."
Martey outlined three simple expectations for his Soldiers: take care of themselves, take care of one another, and accomplish the mission. He also assured the families that their sacrifices are shared by the entire command.
"Your sacrifice is just as real as the sacrifice made by the Soldier who wears this uniform," Martey added. "You will not be forgotten, and you will not be left behind."
Chaplain (Maj.) Alex Oommen delivered both the invocation and benediction for the ceremony.
The 14th Finance Company traces its history back to March 1988, when it was organized in Albany as the 42nd Finance Company and assigned to the 42nd Infantry Division. The unit relocated to the Whitestone Armory in Queens in July 2001.
Over the past two decades, unit members have deployed overseas to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; Baghdad, Iraq; Salerno and Sharana, Afghanistan; and Camp Buehring and Camp Arifjan in Kuwait.
At home, the unit regularly mobilizes citizen soldiers to support New York State domestic operations, including disaster response following Hurricane Irene and Superstorm Sandy, COVID-19 pandemic relief, and support to state and local civil authorities.
Following the playing of "The Army Goes Rolling Along," the Soldiers joined their families for refreshments before turning their focus toward their deployment.