Ceremony to honor area supporters of 115th
Signal Battalion
"The program is a chance to say thanks for the support the community has shown to the men and women of our battalion,'' said 115th Signal Battalion Rear Detachment Officer in Charge Maj. Riley Brewer. "Also, this ceremony is a way to show the family and friends of the soldiers that have been deployed that they're not forgotten and there is support here for them.'' The local unit, consisting of more than 480 soldiers, left Fort Campbell, Ky., on Feb. 29 en route to Kuwait in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. An advance team had already arrived in Kuwait, according to Sgt. First Class David Carney, a public affairs officer with the 142nd Signal Brigade. The 115th Signal Battalion is a part of the 142nd Brigade. While in Kuwait, the soldiers will receive more training and perform maintenance on their equipment in preparation for their departure to an undisclosed location in Iraq. Officials with the Army National Guard would not say when the unit could leave Kuwait for Iraq. The members of the 115th, which has units in Florence, Sheffield, Russellville, Moulton and Haleyville, had been at Fort Campbell since early December preparing to be part of the Iraqi operation. Carney, who along with serving as public affairs officer is a Family Readiness Group Advisor, said Saturday's program will not only recognize several local individuals for their support of the troops but will provide strength for the families left behind. "Our purpose for this (ceremony), as much as anything, is to give strength to the families of the soldiers that have been deployed because a year is a long time,'' Carney said. During the program, which begins at 1:30 p.m., several individuals will receive Honorary Colonel Proclamations for their significant support of the 115th Signal Battalion, Carney said. "Plus, we're going to be making some special presentations to local individuals who helped raise money at Christmas to allow the soldiers the opportunity to return home and be with their families during the holidays,'' Carney said. Also, a presentation of the "Army One-Source'' program will be made. "This is a free 24-hour, seven-days-a-week source of information for all soldiers and their families,'' Carney said. "It's a support program for families of soldiers who have been deployed.'' He said the Web site is www.armyonesource.com. "It contains a variety of information ranging from plumbing repairs to education benefit sources to military Tricare insurance benefits,'' Carney said. Carney said the ceremony is open to the public, as well as family members and friends of Guard members. Barbie Cottles, wife of Col. Glen Cottles, commander of the 115th Signal Battalion, will be one of the featured speakers. Also addressing the audience will be retired Maj. Gen. James "Buddy" Moore and Brigade Command Sgt. Maj. Russell Quinn. Shoals entertainer and Dove Award winner Tonya Holley will perform to open the ceremony. "We want as many people as possible to come and be a part of this program,'' Brewer said. Tom Smith can be reached at 332-0140 or tom.smith@timesdaily.com.
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