Posted on 07/06/2006 6:48:56 PM PDT by KTM rider
WUERZBURG, Germany, July 6, 2006 – The U.S. Army's 1st Infantry Division, known as the "Big Red One," bid farewell to its host country of Germany at Victory Park on Leighton Barracks here today. The colors of Big Red One are scheduled to be unfurled at Fort Riley, Kan., Aug. 1, and the division will assume command and control of its units now there. Among other duties, the division is slated to take on the mission of training foreign security forces training teams in support of operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.
Despite numerous deployments to distant countries within the past 10 years, Big Red One soldiers have built lasting relationships with German friends and colleagues. For many, the ceremony marks a bittersweet day.
Since that time, the Big Red One has answered the call to fight in Vietnam, operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, before returning to Germany for the second time April 10, 1996. Within the last 10 years, the 1st ID has played key roles during peacekeeping operations in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Kosovo, and deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom II from February 2004 to February 2005.
"The Big Red One is privileged to have served more than 43 cumulative years on European soil," Hunzeker continued. "Thousands upon thousands of 1st Infantry Division veterans, from almost every era in our history, have shared in the experience of living and serving alongside our friends and neighbors in this great country. The fond memories that we have all had serving in Europe help to forever link us to the group of veterans who are very proud to have worn our patch and to the generations of Germans who have shown us hospitality for so many years."
(Spc. Stephen Baack is assigned to the 1st Infantry Division.)
(Excerpt) Read more at defenselink.mil ...
My hats off !
makes me wonder if WWII could be won if fought in the social climate of today
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.