Local Guard given Freedom Salute

By JULIA LeDOUX
For the Stafford County Sun
Published: May 22, 2008

The selfless service and sacrifice of soldiers and families from the Virginia Army National Guard’s A Company, 116th Brigade Special Troops Battalion was honored Sunday during a Freedom Salute at the Fredericksburg Armory.

“I’m extremely proud,” said company commander Capt. Ryan E. Thompson. “From the beginning this unit has been focused and is made up of dedicated professionals. They have exceeded every expectation I had for them.”

The Freedom Salute Campaign is one of the largest recognition endeavors in Army National Guard history. The campaign publicly acknowledges Guard soldiers and those who supported them during Operations Noble Eagle, Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. Each soldier received an American flag in a wooden display case, a Defender of Freedom certificate and commemorative coins and medallions.

“Too often we take for granted the freedom we cherish,” Virginia Secretary of Public Safety John Marshall said during the ceremony. “We want you to know that we do not take you for granted, we do not take your service for granted. That also applies to your families. We salute you today as Virginia heroes. We salute you today as America’s heroes, we welcome you home as America’s heroes.”

The soldiers were deployed to Combat Support Center II near Talil Air Force Base, Iraq, from March 2007 to February 2008. While in Iraq they were responsible for area presence and route security patrols, civil military operations and base defense operations.

“You are the best of what this country has to offer. You are true American heroes,” Leesburg Mayor Kristin Umstattd told the soldiers.

Combat Action Badges, which provide special recognition to soldiers who personally engage the enemy or are engaged by the enemy during combat operations, were awarded to five A Company soldiers, including Spc. Gregory Hey of Stafford.

“Today is for family,” said Hey, who attended the ceremony along with nine of his relatives. “They didn’t let me go when I got home, no matter what.”

Bronze Stars were awarded to 19 soldiers, including Sgt. Thomas A. Glass of Stafford, who described the ceremony as bittersweet.

“It’s actually kind of sad,” he said. “It’s the last time we’re going to be together.”

The Bronze Star is awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service and is awarded to a service member who distinguishes himself by heroic or meritorious achievement while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States