Godspeed, Charlie Company

As they prepare to deploy to the Middle East, 114 members of the Tiffin-based 148th Infantry Regiment of the Ohio Army National Guard received their official send-off on Thursday during a ceremony in Seiberling Gymnasium.

With military officials, local, state and national dignitaries on hand, the men of Charlie Company received their call to duty. The ceremony also represented a call to duty for families whose sacrifices are well noted. Many of the families joined their soldiers at Thursday’s sendoff ceremony.

Brig. Gen. Matthew L. Kambic, assistant adjutant general of the Ohio Army National Guard, said the ceremony represented “a tribute to the courage, dedication and selflessness of the soldiers of Charlie Company … and their answer to duty is evidence of their character, commitment to duty and love of their nation.”

“These citizen-soldiers are American ambassadors for hope, peace and democracy,” said Kambic. He had a special message for the soldiers: “You are well-trained, you are well-led and you will be wildly successful in your mission.”

And to the soldiers’ families, he added, “We cannot do what we do without the love and courage and support of our families. You give these men strength and courage to go forward and do what the nation has asked them to do.”

Messages were also delivered by representatives of Sens. George Voinovich and Sherrod Brown and Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland. Newly elected U.S. Rep. Bob Latta, R-Bowling Green, echoed similar sentiments of pride in the troops and gratitude for their service. Tiffin Mayor James Boroff added, “We’ll be thinking of you and praying for you, and eagerly awaiting your safe return.”

Capt. Randall Verde, the unit commander, said the soldiers are among an elite group of less than 1 percent of the American population who serves in the armed forces. Speaking directly to them, he added, “Guys, you’re ready.”

“I promise to give you the best leadership I can. Follow me,” Verde said.

The troops are part of the 37th Infantry Brigade Combat Team which is sending 1,600 troops to Kuwait and likely will conduct some missions in Iraq, according to the ONG. The deployment represents the largest single-unit deployment of Ohio National Guard troops since World War II.

On Saturday, the soldiers will depart for Fort Hood in Texas for two to three months of training before a 10-month deployment to a base in Kuwait.

		(high resolution version)

Posted Jan. 3, 2008