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Blackanthem Military News
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Last Updated:
Feb 9, 2012 - 5:06:14 PM |
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Indiana'a Band of Brothers
By Sgt. Sheila Holifield, 177th Armored Brigade Public Affairs, First Army Division East, Camp Shelby, Miss.
Aug 6, 2009 - 7:39:01 PM
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Blackanthem Military News
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| During a battle drill at Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center, Camp Shelby, Miss., Spc. Anthony Hill (left) and Staff Sgt. Matthew Hill (right), provide fire support for their brother, Sgt. Timothy Hill, who attempts to recover a fellow Soldier after being injured. The Hill brothers are conducting their mobilization training at CSJFTC as they prepare for their upcoming deployment to Afghanistan with Bravo Company, 2nd Battalion, 151st Infantry Regiment out of Logansport, Ind. (US Army photo by Sgt. Sheila Holifield) |
CAMP SHELBY, Miss. - As Soldiers with Bravo Company, 2nd Battalion, 151st Infantry Regiment from Logansport, Ind., prepare for their upcoming deployment to Afghanistan, one thing stands out among four Soldiers in the unit.
Not only are they all infantrymen, but for Staff Sgt. Matthew Hill, a squad leader with the unit, Sgt. Timothy Hill, a team leader, and Spc. Anthony Hill, a gunner, they are all also brothers. They are deploying together with another member of their family, their stepfather, Staff Sgt. Richard Mark, also a squad leader with the unit.
The brothers and their stepfather will be mentoring Afghanistan police officers, training them on various tactics and proper techniques and procedures.
"This is my second deployment and I am excited for the mission," said Matthew Hill, the oldest of the three brothers. "It will be good to get out and interact with the local population and do anything we can to help the Afghanistan police force out."
During his deployment to Iraq in 2003, Matthew met Mark, who later became his stepfather.
"He is a very good guy and we all look up to him a lot. He has been in the military over 25 years and done great things," said Matthew. Not only do we respect him as a stepfather, but he is a great mentor to me and my brothers."
For the younger two brothers, this will be their first deployment overseas. Timothy, who has been in the military for four years, knew he wanted to join the military after the tragic events of 9/11. He is looking forward to the experience this deployment will bring and is proud to be deploying with his family.
Anthony, the youngest of the three, joined the Indiana National Guard one year ago. He said Matthew had been recruiting him for several years prior when he finally decided to take advantage of the great educational benefits the National Guard offers. He said he is also very excited about the deployment.
"It's going to be an interesting experience," said Anthony. "We all get along really well and although we didn't deploy with Matthew the first time, we still went through it with him. Now, it is time to try a deployment from the other side."
While all three brothers are excited about their deployment, they know it will be stressful at times.
"With our unit being all infantrymen, our mission is going to be a learning experience everyday," said Matthew.
The Observer/Controller Trainers gave them a great deal of advice and their unit has done what is necessary to get qualified for the police mentor training mission, he added.
Even though the mission will be an adjustment for Matthew, he'll be making the adjustments with his brothers.
"As the older brother, I want to be there watchful eye through it all and it may not always happen that way," said Matthew.
The brothers will not endure the stress of deployment alone; their mother, who will be without her husband and three sons will have to adjust too.
"She is a strong woman and has been very supportive of our military careers," said Matthew. "I think she finds relief in the fact we are all deploying together."
All the Hill brothers joined the military at different times and for different reasons, but they all love what they do and are ready for this next stage in their lives.
ADDITIONAL PHOTO:
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| Staff Sgt. Matthew Hill (left), a squad leader, Sgt. Timothy Hill (middle), a team leader, and Spc. Anthony Hill (right), a gunner, all attached to Bravo Company, 2nd Battalion, 151st Infantry Regiment, will be deploying together in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Also deploying with the brothers is their step-father, Staff Sgt. Richard Mark, also a squad leader with the unit. (US Army photo by Sgt. Sheila Holifield) |
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Dan Wilson
05 Sep 2009, 18:04
My Grandson,Brian Whittaker is one of the troops. Best of luck and God
speed to all.
Lana Whittaker
05 Sep 2009, 10:24
I am Brian Whittaker's mom. We are praying for all those serving beside
Brian daily and for all of their families as well. God Bless.
Diane Kepner
30 Aug 2009, 11:30
(Brett Kepner's 'gramma') Thanx to all of you for what you are doing for
our country! Many thoughts and prayers are with you on a daily basis. God
Bless!
Becky C
28 Aug 2009, 19:29
good luck guys, i'm a proud girlfriend of Sgt.Higgins. he is in your unit.
i want to thank all of you. god bless all of you.
Amanda Hill
25 Aug 2009, 09:21
I am Brett Kepners sister. I love him and pray him and everyone else makes
it home safe.
Leesa Olds
24 Aug 2009, 19:31
WOW! What a great group of guys! My prayers will go up for your safety and
your mother's continued strength during this time of sereration.
Love to all, Leesa
Melissa (Roe) Darnell
20 Aug 2009, 09:05
My youngest daughter,Specialist Katherine Roe-Allison is part of this unit
and I couldn't be more proud of her than I am right now...keep her safe
yellowjackets!!God bless all of you.
Mary Dragan
19 Aug 2009, 11:01
I agree, Pam is an amazing woman and by the reading of this tribute to her
husband and sons apparently becoming more amazing by the minute!
My thoughts and prayers are with all of you, the rest of the unit and all
of your loved ones!
I trust in God to bring you all home safe!
Thank you!
Mary Dragan
Diana Henderson
19 Aug 2009, 08:16
My dad Sgt Sherman is in this unit and it makes me proud and happy to see
him and his fellow soldiers doing what they want and feel is right to do.
come home safe and sound God bless them all
Cindy Gaby
18 Aug 2009, 07:23
Brett Kepner is my nephew. My heart goes out to all of you and your loved
ones at home. Keep safe and I am praying for all of you.
Niki Long
17 Aug 2009, 23:42
After watching you three grow up I can see that you are good soldiers and
blessed to have Mark and your Mom to see you through. Gods speed and care.
Love, Niki and the Girls
Alicia Meacham
17 Aug 2009, 18:30
I am Brett Kepners Grandma and I wish all the men lots of luck and will
keep them in my prayers. Go guys and please help them with care packages.
janet prophitt
17 Aug 2009, 14:39
my son SPC Brett Kepner is in this unit we are all praying for him and
everyone else to be safe and come home soon
Jessica Kerkes
17 Aug 2009, 02:59
My step-dad is in this unit, and though, as a family, we are all very
concerned about his safety, we also support him and the unit 110%. Our
paryers go out to them all, to keep them safe and their heads high.
Lyn Kurzhal
16 Aug 2009, 18:20
I'm Spc John McGuane"s mom
Good Luck Guys
Keep each other safe
GODSPEED YELLOWJACKETS
Dan & Janet Stahl
16 Aug 2009, 15:59
Our son SPC Daniel Stahl just join this unit in the spring as a combat
medic. He speaks very highly of Sgt Richard Mark. Our prayers are with
the unit daily.
Ashley Hill
16 Aug 2009, 15:36
I am Staff Sergeant Matthew Hill's wife and can't be more proud of him,
Tony, Tim, and Mark! They are such great men and I love them all so much!
Pam is an amazing woman and raised all the boys so well. She has amazing
strength and faith and has helped me stay positive for them. Thank you to
all the Yellowjackets so much! Be safe and take care of each other. Love
you!
SSG Ferguson
16 Aug 2009, 10:49
Send me your dairy shakes.
ALLEN REFF
16 Aug 2009, 09:05
PROUD HUSBAND OF SGT.ANISSA REFF ALSO IN SAME UNIT.STAY STRONG,STAY
SAFE,STAY PROUD.THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH ALL OF YOU.GODS SPEED
Natasha Lee
16 Aug 2009, 09:02
My former fiance is in this same unit. He was just deployed with them. I
can't imagine how those men's mom/wife feels. My prayers are with her, and
all the men overseas.
PFC Thomas
16 Aug 2009, 08:57
yellow jackets lead the way baby
Bob Whittaker
16 Aug 2009, 06:07
Be safe one and all. Focus on the mission, complete the mission, and come
back home, one and all. Thank you for keeping us free. God Bless!
Eve Reiss
15 Aug 2009, 20:27
I am Cpl. Karl Crone's mom. All of you are in my thoughts and prayers. I
know you will all look out for each other. Be safe. You are our heroes.
Sue
15 Aug 2009, 16:34
Take care all of you guys and God Bless you for what your doing.
Peggy Freeze
15 Aug 2009, 16:15
I am Cpl. Chris Pontius' mom, Thank all of you for doing what you are doing
for all of us here at home. God bless you, and all of you are in my
prayers. Good luck and stay safe Yellowjackets!!!
gary bunnell
15 Aug 2009, 14:52
Our prayers are with all of you. Our son is with you also, SPC Jeremy
Bunnell ( Gunner ) Gods speed
Marilyn S. Higgins
15 Aug 2009, 13:57
Be Safe yellowjackets! I am the Proud Mom of Sgt Higgins. He serving with
you. Take care and God Bless all of you.
MSG (RET) Wetli
15 Aug 2009, 13:31
My oldest grandson is in your unit. Pay attention to detail, keep safe, &
all of you are in my prayers.
SGT (RET) Higgins
15 Aug 2009, 12:46
Good luck guys. My brother is in your unit and I'm keeping my fingers
crossed for all of you.
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