« Update: Boat laid up Narragansett shore rocks / Photo | Today | Graduation saturation at R.I. colleges this weekend »

May 16, 2008

R.I. Guard unit to be honored for Iraq missions

A group of Rhode Island National Guardsmen and women who were deployed in Iraq for a year will be honored tomorrow for the nearly 2000 missions they performed overseas.

The Rhode Island National Guard 861st Engineer Company will be awarded the Iraqi Freedom Battle Streamer during an 11 a.m. ceremony at the Sun Valley Armory at Camp Fogarty in East Greenwich.

Between June 2005 and June 2006, the 861st did security and combat engineer support for a security mission in Ar Ramadi, about 70 miles west of Baghdad.

During its year-long mission, the unit earned nearly 250 commendations, including 74 Combat Action Badges and eight Bronze Stars.

“The presentation of yet another battle streamer to a Rhode Island unit only adds to the great legacy of the Rhode Island National Guard,” Major Gen. Robert T. Bray said in a statement.
“Our soldiers and airmen have never been closer to their minutemen roots than they are today, and the 861st’s distinctive record represents another great moment in our long and proud history.”

The 861st Engineer Company traces its lineage to 1865.

In addition to the streamer presentation, the event will also feature retired soldier awards, unit soldier awards, and a change of command.

Posted by Brandie Jefferson  at 6:07 PM | Permalink

Comments

Post a comment

Please be civil. Vicious comments, personal attacks and profanity won't be published. Name and email are required; email address will not publish.

Name:

Email Address:

URL:
Remember Me? YesNo

Comments: (you may use HTML tags for style)