Pride and Patches
By 1st Lt. Christopher Etheridge, HHC, 553rd CSSB, 1st Sust. Bde.
Jul 18, 2008 - 1:19:45 PM
Blackanthem Military News
CAMP VICTORY, Iraq - On the last day of June, members of the 553rd Combat Sustainment Support Battalion stood tall and proud, eagerly waiting to receive their combat patches. The shoulder sleeve insignia for former wartime service is a representation of the selfless efforts our Soldiers make when serving in a combat zone. The Soldiers of the 503rd Maintenance Company, 590th Quartermaster Company and the Headquarters and Headquarters Company of the 553rd CSSB were all honored during the early morning ceremony.
Lt. Col. Gregory W. Koller, the 553rd CSSB Commander and a Mobile, Ala., native, looked over his troops and spoke of the Soldier’s who were about to receive their first combat patch. "Today, we are executing our patch ceremony; for some it is another patch to add to the ‘patch of the day club,’ but for others, it is a first. Those of you that fit into the second category, I want to congratulate you for joining the club of your peers that have deployed to combat," said Koller.
Three different combat patches were presented during the ceremony, showing the true diversity and experience of the group. Each company, proud representatives of their Brigade’s rich history and heritage, received their respective Brigade’s shoulder sleeve insignia. The 503rd Maint. Co., deployed from Fort Bragg, received the XVIII Airborne Corps shoulder sleeve insignia, the 590th QM Co. (Field Service), from Fort Drum, received the 10th Sust. Bde. shoulder sleeve insignia, and HHC, 553rd CSSB, from Fort Hood, received the 4th Sust. Bde. shoulder sleeve insignia for their dedicated service.
"This patch is a representation of the dedication and commitment I have towards my country," said 1st Lt. Robyn Boehringer, the HHC Support Operations Plans Officer. "After ten years of service, I am ecstatic to finally be added to the ranks of those who have deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom," he continued, a Coco Beach, Fla., native.
Sgt. Heather St. John, the retention non-commissioned officer for the 553rd CSSB and a Lake Orion, Mich., native, said, "The (combat) patch means pride and dignity (to me) because we are over here for a long period of time. When we step off the plane and walk into the gymnasium with all of the family members there waiting and cheering for us; it will be an emotional time. We earned our combat patch and that could make any Soldier have a tear in their eye."
As the ceremony came to an end, Koller reminded everyone of their duty and responsibility as they serve their great nation by helping one another. "We must maintain our guard and fight complacency while continuing to look out for one another as we provide the highest quality of combat service and support. You look great, keep up the great work and high standards - I am proud of you all and honored to be your battalion commander. ‘ROCK STEADY’," he concluded.