thedrifter
03-07-06, 10:29 AM
03/07/2006
Guard thanks community for support
By Gordon Wolf
The community support of the Denison National Guard unit, Company C (Charlie Company), 1-168th Infantry Air Assault, was recognized and appreciated during a special ceremony Sunday at the Denison Armory.
The changing of the company's name, to Delta Company, was also mentioned in the keynote speech by Major Jeff Erickson, commander of the unit from July 2000-February 2002.
Charlie Company will become Delta Company within the next month, said SSG William Smith with the Denison unit. Iowa City, which is currently Detachment 1 Charlie Company, will become Company C. SSG Smith said the training might change a little with the new Delta Company because the unit is going from light infantry to a little heavier weapons, such as heavier machine guns and tank guns.
Maj. Erickson said it will be sad to see the Charlie Company flag leave, because many of his memories are tied to when he served with the unit. One of his memories is that Charlie Company is an excellent team, and everybody who tries gets membership on the team. Erickson added later that individual soldiers performed better as members of the team than alone.
He continued as the Company C flag goes, he charges Captain Matthew Stephenson with carrying on the rich tradition and the mark of excellence Charlie Company has left. Maj. Erickson pointed out the Denison unit has had a number of names and missions over the years.
To the soldiers he added, "Remember you made Charlie Company what it was, not the reverse."
Two special awards went to Huebner Funeral Home and Carlyle Memorials, both of Denison.
Huebner Funeral Home was presented with a large framed print in honor of a dinner it hosted for the Guard members and veterans in October.
Representatives from Carlyle Memorials, who were unable to attend Sunday's event, will receive a Minuteman statue in recognition of their support. SSG William Smith from the Denison Armory stated when a bench was placed in front of the armory in memory of Casey Byers, following his death in Iraq this summer, Carlyle Memorial refused any payment and instead asked that funds raised for the bench be put in a college fund for Byers' daughter.
Other businesses and individuals honored for their support include the following:
Casey's General Store, Bank Iowa, United Bank of Iowa, Greater Iowa Credit Union, Pamida of Harlan, Burger King, Tyson, Farmland, Marvin's Provisions, Fareway, Kum & Go, Don's Jewelry, Hair Etc., SFC Ray Reynolds, Tom and Peg Hogan, Ann and Bill Byers, 1SG (Retired) Harry Hass, Berry Bergamo - Albertsen's, Country Rose, Crawford County Veterans Affairs, Wal-Mart, Crawford County Bank, Wells Fargo, Pam Jahn, No Frills Supermarket, Theresa Hamilton, Ida Grove Food Pride, HyVee, Terry Preul, McDonald's, Chico's, Your Treasure Chest, Pizza Hut, Tedd Bliesman, Jerry Bryan, Ken Livingston, Leroy (Sarge) Webber, Flower Boutique and Thrivent Financial for Lutherans.
Sunday's ceremony also included presentations to soldiers from the unit.
SFC Earl Nelson, who retired as the readiness non-commissioned officer in Denison in November 2004, received a standing ovation after being awarded the Meritorious Serviceman award. SFC Nelson had a total of 24 year of military service in the Marines and the National Guard.
SPC Terry Negless, who retired from the National Guard with 20 years of service, was awarded the Army Achievement Medal.
SSG Allan Rieb and SSG William Smith were presented with the Army Commendation Medal. SSG Gary Duysen, SGT Mickey Lansink, SPC Bryan Jablonski, SPC Randall Erwin and SPC Kelby Eck, who was unable to attend Sunday's event, all received the Freedom Salute, awarded to all National Guard soldiers that have deployed.
SFC Karry Schurke was promoted Master Sergeant on Sunday. Major Todd Esser, team recruiter from 2nd Brigade from Boone, presented the promotion.
Ellie
Guard thanks community for support
By Gordon Wolf
The community support of the Denison National Guard unit, Company C (Charlie Company), 1-168th Infantry Air Assault, was recognized and appreciated during a special ceremony Sunday at the Denison Armory.
The changing of the company's name, to Delta Company, was also mentioned in the keynote speech by Major Jeff Erickson, commander of the unit from July 2000-February 2002.
Charlie Company will become Delta Company within the next month, said SSG William Smith with the Denison unit. Iowa City, which is currently Detachment 1 Charlie Company, will become Company C. SSG Smith said the training might change a little with the new Delta Company because the unit is going from light infantry to a little heavier weapons, such as heavier machine guns and tank guns.
Maj. Erickson said it will be sad to see the Charlie Company flag leave, because many of his memories are tied to when he served with the unit. One of his memories is that Charlie Company is an excellent team, and everybody who tries gets membership on the team. Erickson added later that individual soldiers performed better as members of the team than alone.
He continued as the Company C flag goes, he charges Captain Matthew Stephenson with carrying on the rich tradition and the mark of excellence Charlie Company has left. Maj. Erickson pointed out the Denison unit has had a number of names and missions over the years.
To the soldiers he added, "Remember you made Charlie Company what it was, not the reverse."
Two special awards went to Huebner Funeral Home and Carlyle Memorials, both of Denison.
Huebner Funeral Home was presented with a large framed print in honor of a dinner it hosted for the Guard members and veterans in October.
Representatives from Carlyle Memorials, who were unable to attend Sunday's event, will receive a Minuteman statue in recognition of their support. SSG William Smith from the Denison Armory stated when a bench was placed in front of the armory in memory of Casey Byers, following his death in Iraq this summer, Carlyle Memorial refused any payment and instead asked that funds raised for the bench be put in a college fund for Byers' daughter.
Other businesses and individuals honored for their support include the following:
Casey's General Store, Bank Iowa, United Bank of Iowa, Greater Iowa Credit Union, Pamida of Harlan, Burger King, Tyson, Farmland, Marvin's Provisions, Fareway, Kum & Go, Don's Jewelry, Hair Etc., SFC Ray Reynolds, Tom and Peg Hogan, Ann and Bill Byers, 1SG (Retired) Harry Hass, Berry Bergamo - Albertsen's, Country Rose, Crawford County Veterans Affairs, Wal-Mart, Crawford County Bank, Wells Fargo, Pam Jahn, No Frills Supermarket, Theresa Hamilton, Ida Grove Food Pride, HyVee, Terry Preul, McDonald's, Chico's, Your Treasure Chest, Pizza Hut, Tedd Bliesman, Jerry Bryan, Ken Livingston, Leroy (Sarge) Webber, Flower Boutique and Thrivent Financial for Lutherans.
Sunday's ceremony also included presentations to soldiers from the unit.
SFC Earl Nelson, who retired as the readiness non-commissioned officer in Denison in November 2004, received a standing ovation after being awarded the Meritorious Serviceman award. SFC Nelson had a total of 24 year of military service in the Marines and the National Guard.
SPC Terry Negless, who retired from the National Guard with 20 years of service, was awarded the Army Achievement Medal.
SSG Allan Rieb and SSG William Smith were presented with the Army Commendation Medal. SSG Gary Duysen, SGT Mickey Lansink, SPC Bryan Jablonski, SPC Randall Erwin and SPC Kelby Eck, who was unable to attend Sunday's event, all received the Freedom Salute, awarded to all National Guard soldiers that have deployed.
SFC Karry Schurke was promoted Master Sergeant on Sunday. Major Todd Esser, team recruiter from 2nd Brigade from Boone, presented the promotion.
Ellie