| Air Defense Artillery Online | 19 August 2009 |
United States Congressman
Article and Photos by Captain Andrew J. Futscher
flag dedication proclamation from Congressman Israel of New York.
Camp Victory, Iraq- Being away from friends and family on deployment is tough on any Soldier, and for Soldiers deployed overseas, it is always refreshing to know that they are supported back at home. The Soldiers of Task Force (TF) 3rd Battalion, 3rd Air Defense Artillery (3-3 ADA) Counter-Rocket, -Artillery and -Mortar (C-RAM) deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) in March 2009 to provide protection to over 100,000 US Soldiers, currently serving in Iraq, from enemy indirect fire.
Congressman Steve Israel (D-New York), is a fond supporter of US Soldiers deployed in Iraq, and according to his website, the Congressman is, “a passionate and relentless advocate for veterans and military families, Israel has secured more than $3 million in overdue benefits for Long Islanders who served their country. He has visited US troops in areas of conflict on six occasions, including one trip to highly remote fire bases in Afghanistan.”
Congressman Israel recently flew a US Flag over our nation’s capital in honor of Soldiers deployed in support of OIF. Senator Israel sent the flag to Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) Randall McIntire, Commander of TF 3-3 ADA (C-RAM), accompanied by a note which read, “To the soldiers of TF 3-3 ADA – This flag flew above the United States Capitol in honor of your service to the nation. Good luck on your deployment. I am grateful for your dedication.”
The flag was then raised and flown at Camp Victory, Iraq on 15 August 2009.
“I wanted to take this opportunity to fly our nation’s flag over the Task Force Headquarters as a symbol of bridging the distance separating these wonderful soldiers from those who support us back on the home front,” said LTC McIntire.
Specialist (SPC) Damyeon Long and SPC Manuel Portello, both hailing from Rochester, New York, were on hand to raise the flag and expressed their gratitude for those who took the time to show their support to the mission.
“Out of all the units over here, it was a shock that someone chose to honor us,” exclaimed SPC Long.
Story and Photo’s by Captain Andrew J. Futscher of 3-3 ADA (C-RAM) Multi-National Corps-Iraq.