TheHoleInMyChest
11-02-2003, 08:23 PM
for those of you who dont know about the soldiers of the 1st bn, 501st PIR... they're the airborne soldiers from ft richardson, AK. hopefully we'll be seeing photos of them pretty soon
FORT RICHARDSON — Soldiers from the 1-501 Airborne Task Force saluted the American flag for the last time on U.S. soil during their activation/pre-deployment ceremony Oct. 23.
In front of a gymnasium full of fellow soldiers, friends and community and family members, the new task force soldiers watched the uncasing of their colors, which officially signaled the start of their 6-month deployment to Afghanistan.
“We’re proud of him,” said Mrs. Sellers, speaking of her husband, Sgt. Anthony Sellers. “We’re just going to take it day by day. We plan on sending him letters every week as well as pictures.” Over the weekend, Sellers kissed his wife, his 2-year-old boy and his 4-month-old girl goodbye, then hopped on a plane headed for Central Asia with his fellow soldiers.
More than 800 soldiers did the same, as the task force rotated out in waves from Sunday to Wednesday.
“I’m proud, not just of my husband, but of all the guys that are going,” said the wife of Staff Sgt. Kristopher Rick. “They are helping protect the freedom that we love, but of course we’ll miss him.” Rick said she expects the separation to be hard but necessary. The Ricks have a 2-year-old daughter. “I plan on being completely honest with her if she asks where her daddy is,” Rick said. “But she’ll be okay. She’s so young. We plan on sending care packages that will include his favorite four-wheel drive magazines and candy; you know, stuff that he can’t get over there. “I plan on checking in with the other wives too, while he’s gone,” Rick added. “You got to make sure to stay busy but make time for yourself as well so you don’t go crazy.”
U.S. Army Alaska Commander, Maj. Gen. John Brown, was also on-hand at the ceremony to give the troops a farewell. “Today we are seeing something that is rare,” he said, referring to the task force activation. “In the past few years we have seen many deactivations rather than activations.” Brown went on to praise the soldiers for their selection for this mission. “You are the new tool in the arsenal of freedom,” he said. “The Army chose wisely in choosing the 501st for this mission.”
Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich and Alaska Lt. Governor Loren Leman also added their thoughts. “We are proud of every one of you and grateful for your service, and the fact that you are helping make our nation more secure,” said Begich.
Leman first praised the soldiers for their appearance. “You look great. Hooah!” he said. A thunderous echo of hooahs followed his opening comments. “Today’s activation is personal for me,” he continued. “I have friends that are going with you, but I’m confident that we have a president that we can trust.” “He has committed our troops where other efforts have failed. The cause is just, and diplomacy has been disregarded.”
Leman went on to say how proud he was that the soldiers were representing Alaska in Central Asia. “We as Alaskans are proud of you,” he said. “Though most of you aren’t originally from our state, we see you as our own. You represent the best that are ready. And as you go, be rest assured that we will take care of your families.
“We will pray for you,” he added in closing, “but we also need to pray for the enemies of freedom.”
anybody here stationed or have been stationed at ft richardson?? im thinking about getting stationed over there
FORT RICHARDSON — Soldiers from the 1-501 Airborne Task Force saluted the American flag for the last time on U.S. soil during their activation/pre-deployment ceremony Oct. 23.
In front of a gymnasium full of fellow soldiers, friends and community and family members, the new task force soldiers watched the uncasing of their colors, which officially signaled the start of their 6-month deployment to Afghanistan.
“We’re proud of him,” said Mrs. Sellers, speaking of her husband, Sgt. Anthony Sellers. “We’re just going to take it day by day. We plan on sending him letters every week as well as pictures.” Over the weekend, Sellers kissed his wife, his 2-year-old boy and his 4-month-old girl goodbye, then hopped on a plane headed for Central Asia with his fellow soldiers.
More than 800 soldiers did the same, as the task force rotated out in waves from Sunday to Wednesday.
“I’m proud, not just of my husband, but of all the guys that are going,” said the wife of Staff Sgt. Kristopher Rick. “They are helping protect the freedom that we love, but of course we’ll miss him.” Rick said she expects the separation to be hard but necessary. The Ricks have a 2-year-old daughter. “I plan on being completely honest with her if she asks where her daddy is,” Rick said. “But she’ll be okay. She’s so young. We plan on sending care packages that will include his favorite four-wheel drive magazines and candy; you know, stuff that he can’t get over there. “I plan on checking in with the other wives too, while he’s gone,” Rick added. “You got to make sure to stay busy but make time for yourself as well so you don’t go crazy.”
U.S. Army Alaska Commander, Maj. Gen. John Brown, was also on-hand at the ceremony to give the troops a farewell. “Today we are seeing something that is rare,” he said, referring to the task force activation. “In the past few years we have seen many deactivations rather than activations.” Brown went on to praise the soldiers for their selection for this mission. “You are the new tool in the arsenal of freedom,” he said. “The Army chose wisely in choosing the 501st for this mission.”
Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich and Alaska Lt. Governor Loren Leman also added their thoughts. “We are proud of every one of you and grateful for your service, and the fact that you are helping make our nation more secure,” said Begich.
Leman first praised the soldiers for their appearance. “You look great. Hooah!” he said. A thunderous echo of hooahs followed his opening comments. “Today’s activation is personal for me,” he continued. “I have friends that are going with you, but I’m confident that we have a president that we can trust.” “He has committed our troops where other efforts have failed. The cause is just, and diplomacy has been disregarded.”
Leman went on to say how proud he was that the soldiers were representing Alaska in Central Asia. “We as Alaskans are proud of you,” he said. “Though most of you aren’t originally from our state, we see you as our own. You represent the best that are ready. And as you go, be rest assured that we will take care of your families.
“We will pray for you,” he added in closing, “but we also need to pray for the enemies of freedom.”
anybody here stationed or have been stationed at ft richardson?? im thinking about getting stationed over there