American Heroes All...The LAVA Brigade Deploys again...
Yesterday, August 16, 2008... Precisely 4 years after the United States Army activated the 29th Infantry Brigade Combat Team for it's first deployment since the Vietnam War, the 29th Infantry Brigade Combat Team was sent again into the War Zone. This time, 1700 Citizen Soldiers will embark on a year-long quest to help bring peace and a semblance of stability to war torn Iraq. They were sent off yesterday in a departure ceremony at Aloha Stadium and I was there.
To accurately tell this story though we need to go back about 3 weeks ago, when I found out that the Aloha Stadium Authority was going to charge people to park at Aloha Stadium to see this ceremony. Shocked and appalled, I wrote to the Governor, and many legislators begging and pleading to have the rule changed. Thankfully, the rule was withheld, and no one needed to pay for parking if they were going to attend the ceremony.
To bear witness to a ceremony such as this one was indeed an honor. To be surrounded by so many brave Americans, willing to fight and die if necessary to bring peace, and stability to people who don't know them, and quite honestly don't really care about them was a very humbling experience.
A highlight of the ceremony were the remarks made by Senator Daniel K. Inouye, who gave brief remarks about how he knew what was going through the minds of the soldiers deploying, but the most moving part was when Senator Inouye turned to the mass of 1700 soldiers and said "I salute you..." and saluted with his LEFT hand. Traditionally, a salute is rendered with the right hand, but Senator Inouye has no right hand, as it was blown off by a rocket propelled grenade during one of the bloody battles of World War II. It was a humbling and heartfelt send off for our soldiers.
As they exited the field to be with their families one last time before deploying, I shook each and every hand, and asked them to "be safe, and come home walking tall..."
I cannot speak for all, but I know thtat this author will always keep the brave men and women of the 29th Infantry Brigade Combat Team in his thoughts. Be safe, take care of each other, and know that someone back home is always thinking of you... Bless the soldiers, bless their families, and BLESS THIS LAVA!!!
To accurately tell this story though we need to go back about 3 weeks ago, when I found out that the Aloha Stadium Authority was going to charge people to park at Aloha Stadium to see this ceremony. Shocked and appalled, I wrote to the Governor, and many legislators begging and pleading to have the rule changed. Thankfully, the rule was withheld, and no one needed to pay for parking if they were going to attend the ceremony.
To bear witness to a ceremony such as this one was indeed an honor. To be surrounded by so many brave Americans, willing to fight and die if necessary to bring peace, and stability to people who don't know them, and quite honestly don't really care about them was a very humbling experience.
A highlight of the ceremony were the remarks made by Senator Daniel K. Inouye, who gave brief remarks about how he knew what was going through the minds of the soldiers deploying, but the most moving part was when Senator Inouye turned to the mass of 1700 soldiers and said "I salute you..." and saluted with his LEFT hand. Traditionally, a salute is rendered with the right hand, but Senator Inouye has no right hand, as it was blown off by a rocket propelled grenade during one of the bloody battles of World War II. It was a humbling and heartfelt send off for our soldiers.
As they exited the field to be with their families one last time before deploying, I shook each and every hand, and asked them to "be safe, and come home walking tall..."
I cannot speak for all, but I know thtat this author will always keep the brave men and women of the 29th Infantry Brigade Combat Team in his thoughts. Be safe, take care of each other, and know that someone back home is always thinking of you... Bless the soldiers, bless their families, and BLESS THIS LAVA!!!