AUBURN - Members of the Army National Guard have a saying: “soldier in war, civilian in peace.”
Jill Connor / The Citizen
Cadet Gary Clark, an ROTC student and National Guard reservist, stands at attention during the National Anthem with the 222nd Military Police Company on stage. On the far right, Nick Barber, 10, of Auburn, stands with his hand on his heart as his father, Sgt. Robert Barber, stands with his company on stage to be honored at the National Guard Freedom Salute on Sunday afternoon at Auburn High School.
Cadet Gary Clark, an ROTC student and National Guard reservist, stands at attention during the National Anthem with the 222nd Military Police Company on stage. On the far right, Nick Barber, 10, of Auburn, stands with his hand on his heart as his father, Sgt. Robert Barber, stands with his company on stage to be honored at the National Guard Freedom Salute on Sunday afternoon at Auburn High School.
This commitment and dedication to the ideals of both the guard and this nation have been demonstrated time and again in recent years as volunteers from around the country have deployed overseas to defend the ideals of freedom and democracy in places such as Afghanistan and Iraq.
More than three months after returning from Iraq, 33 members of the 222nd Military Police Company based in Auburn, gathered at Auburn High School Sunday to be recognized for their contributions as defenders of freedom as part of the guard's Freedom Salute Campaign, a means of saying thank you to both the men and women who have and are serving as well as the families that support them.
First Lt. Todd Allen served as master of ceremonies for the event. “The National Guard is not new,” Allen said. “It is as old as this country and we are here today to say that we are proud of what these men and women have done and the sacrifices they have made.”
The guard has a rich history dating back to the founding of the country, when volunteer soldiers fought at Valley Forge and the guard's presence has never waned, through Okinawa and Normandy to natural disaster sites such as
Hurricane Katrina - the guard has been there to serve.
Taking the stage alongside these 33 men and women was state Assemblyman Gary Finch, who stopped to reflect on the numerous contributions members of the guard have made and what those sacrifices truly mean.
“No one knows how significant those sacrifices have been more than the families here today,” Finch said. “These men and women here today are truly heroes. And for me it is very humbling to be here upstage with heroes.”
Finch was joined by Auburn Mayor Michael Quill and Cayuga County Sheriff David Gould, both of whom know from first-hand experience what it is like to serve their country.
“We are all so proud of you,” Gould said. “Mayor Quill and I know what it is like. When I returned from overseas the reception we received was nothing like this. You have all done so much to help change the way people in this country view the military and that makes us all very proud. We have to thank God for these people and for their protection.”
As special guest speaker, Major Kevin Swab reflected on what he saw these soldiers go through from the time they were called up to serve, until they returned home safely. Swab said that as their names came across his desk, he was aware that these men and women were more than just names and numbers. They were sons and daughters, husbands and wives, fathers and mothers.
He saw them off to Fort Dix and heard of the trials they faced overseas.
And through all that, he was struck by the momentous weight of what these soldiers did.
“These are citizen soldiers,” Swab said. “But they are something more than citizens; they are far from being average. They volunteer and sacrifice their weekends and their time, and as it turns out, more than just their weekends, for long-term deployment. They do this to bring freedom. I believe that they have made a difference. They have inspired Iraqi citizens and U.S. citizens, as well. They have inspired us all.”
Each of the members of the 222nd were presented with a variety of awards and recognitions, symbolizing their time and achievements while serving. From American flags to Defender of Freedom Certificates and other items, the items serve as reminders to the mothers and fathers of these volunteers of the sacrifices their children made.
“It is really nice,” said Sgt. Jonathan Cregg, of Auburn. “A nice honor to be recognized like this.”
More than three months after returning from Iraq, 33 members of the 222nd Military Police Company based in Auburn, gathered at Auburn High School Sunday to be recognized for their contributions as defenders of freedom as part of the guard's Freedom Salute Campaign, a means of saying thank you to both the men and women who have and are serving as well as the families that support them.
First Lt. Todd Allen served as master of ceremonies for the event. “The National Guard is not new,” Allen said. “It is as old as this country and we are here today to say that we are proud of what these men and women have done and the sacrifices they have made.”
The guard has a rich history dating back to the founding of the country, when volunteer soldiers fought at Valley Forge and the guard's presence has never waned, through Okinawa and Normandy to natural disaster sites such as
Hurricane Katrina - the guard has been there to serve.
Taking the stage alongside these 33 men and women was state Assemblyman Gary Finch, who stopped to reflect on the numerous contributions members of the guard have made and what those sacrifices truly mean.
“No one knows how significant those sacrifices have been more than the families here today,” Finch said. “These men and women here today are truly heroes. And for me it is very humbling to be here upstage with heroes.”
Finch was joined by Auburn Mayor Michael Quill and Cayuga County Sheriff David Gould, both of whom know from first-hand experience what it is like to serve their country.
“We are all so proud of you,” Gould said. “Mayor Quill and I know what it is like. When I returned from overseas the reception we received was nothing like this. You have all done so much to help change the way people in this country view the military and that makes us all very proud. We have to thank God for these people and for their protection.”
As special guest speaker, Major Kevin Swab reflected on what he saw these soldiers go through from the time they were called up to serve, until they returned home safely. Swab said that as their names came across his desk, he was aware that these men and women were more than just names and numbers. They were sons and daughters, husbands and wives, fathers and mothers.
He saw them off to Fort Dix and heard of the trials they faced overseas.
And through all that, he was struck by the momentous weight of what these soldiers did.
“These are citizen soldiers,” Swab said. “But they are something more than citizens; they are far from being average. They volunteer and sacrifice their weekends and their time, and as it turns out, more than just their weekends, for long-term deployment. They do this to bring freedom. I believe that they have made a difference. They have inspired Iraqi citizens and U.S. citizens, as well. They have inspired us all.”
Each of the members of the 222nd were presented with a variety of awards and recognitions, symbolizing their time and achievements while serving. From American flags to Defender of Freedom Certificates and other items, the items serve as reminders to the mothers and fathers of these volunteers of the sacrifices their children made.
“It is really nice,” said Sgt. Jonathan Cregg, of Auburn. “A nice honor to be recognized like this.”
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poohbear6301 wrote on Feb 11, 2008 1:07 PM:
Sure it saves on maintainance for the ground crew but it multiplies the hospital bill for anyone playing on it. Why do you think so many of the NFL teams tore it up and went back to grass? "
karl L wrote on Feb 11, 2008 11:59 AM:
As everyone knows, I teach a lot of high-school-aged guitar students, and some of them plat school sports. The amount of time demanded by these sports--when one combines that with the seemingly ever-increasing homework loads--are unrealistic and ridiculous. Why does this seem to me to be just a misguided dream for Dad to see little Johnny out there "proving himself" for Dad's vicarious thrill?
I've had 8-9 year old kids practicing hockey and football 5 nights a week! Not necessarily here at Auburn High, but the point remains. These kids do not need to be involved in sport for 5 days a week, nine months a year!
I will vote a big "NO" on the turf--but not just for that reason. The turf issue HAS ALREADY BEEN REJECTED BY THE VOTERS!! This is just SHEER ARROGANCE on the part of the school council!!!!!! "