Ceremonies Will Honor Two East Tennessee National Guard Units
Tuesday, October 14, 2008 | 06:06am
NASHVILLE – Tennessee National Guard soldiers from Johnson City and Erwin, together with their families, will be honored in Freedom Salute ceremonies October 17 in Johnson City.
Approximately 120 Guardsmen and families will be recognized during the program next Friday, to begin at1 p.m. at Boones Creek Christian Church, 305 Christian Church Road.
The soldiers from the 730th Quartermaster Company were deployed in June of 2007 and returned June 2008. While in Iraq they were responsible for maintaining support for 40,000 soldiers, airmen and marines covering over 45,000 square miles. This included 486 convoys to more than 40 combat posts.
During the deployment, decorations earned by the soldiers included two Bronze Star Medals, 13 Meritorious Service Medals, 88 Army Commendation Medals and 14 Army Achievement Medals.
Maj. Gen. Gus Hargett, Tennessee’s Adjutant General, will be on hand to present each soldier with a beautiful cased American Flag, ceremonial coin, medallion, and lapel pin to commemorate their service to their country. The Guardsmen who have served more than one tour in Iraq will receive special recognition.
The prestigious Minuteman Statue and a framed flag mosaic will also be presented to two representatives from the community for outstanding support of the soldiers and their families during the deployment.
The public is invited and encouraged to attend all ceremonies.
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All Tennessee Army and Air National Guard press releases can be found at http://www.tnmilitary.org/PressReleases.htm