Ma Deuce Gunner

Ma Deuce Gunner

PROTECTING FREEDOM.....HALF AN INCH AT A TIME.

Tuesday, October 04, 2005

Record

My brigade, the 116th Brigade Combat Team, made up of units from Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Utah, New Jersey, and California, currently owns the record for re-enlisting soldiers, out of any unit, Active Duty, Reserve or National Guard, during Operation Iraqi Freedom. The 256th BCT, headquartered in Louisiana, held the previous record at over 400 soldiers re-enlisting in-country. The 116th BCT set out to beat that record with a goal of 500, and did on 14 September 2005, with BG Alan Gayheart, Commander of the 116th BCT, ceremonially swearing in SGT Seckel in front of a representative formation of other soldiers re-affirming their commitment to continue to stand ready to protect freedom.



I'm in there somewhere, third row from the back, right-center of the photo. Even I couldn't find myself.

You will notice the photo is labeled "500th Re-Enlistment". As of right now, the 116th BCT has had 733 soldiers sign new 3 or 6 year contracts.

I venture to say that this is a huge testament to the will of the army. Not the Army, the organization, but the army, the men and women who wear the uniform, no matter what branch. Knowing the adversity faced in combat, and the need for the constant defense of our nation, and having already experienced hardship, loss, and separation, a momentus number are willing to continue to be counted among the willing.

SCOUTS OUT!!!!!

MDG....OUT.




OPEN POST COURTESY OF Mudville Gazette

52 Comments:

At 6:07 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

We are so proud of all of you. Thank for your willingness to serve your country!

 
At 6:41 AM, Blogger The Patriot said...

That is so cool... :) THANK YOU!

 
At 9:33 AM, Blogger GunnNutt said...

HOOAH! You guys 'n gals rock!

 
At 10:30 AM, Blogger David M said...

MDG, that is awesome! Now if only the MSM could see it as clearly as you all do.

Hooah!

 
At 11:24 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

You and your compatriots are awesome. Sometimes it's asked: "Where do we get such men?" Answer: right here. But do we the people deserve them? We'll keep trying.

 
At 11:32 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

You guys ROCK!! I can never say THANK YOU enough for all you're doing for our country!!
Susie - a Soldiers' Angel

 
At 11:38 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

M2HB,

Proud of y'all. Keep the faith.


M55 E/41 Arty

 
At 1:49 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

M2HB

9/14 is my birthday. This is quite a gift to get.

Ron

 
At 3:45 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

An important current event we will never see in the media.
I salute and thank you all!

 
At 4:25 PM, Blogger Maggie Goff said...

I'm sitting here with tears in my eyes. I can't get over how blessed we are as a nation to have you guys.

I was up in Phoenix over the weekend, visiting my sister. I was driving home yesterday when I heard on the radio that Cindy Sheehan had been at the State House in the morning, leaving a letter requesting our governor to bring our Nation Guard Troops home. If I had known that in the morning I would have been there with a home made sign honoring our troops and their families. I was so disappointed. She has the whiniest voice.

 
At 6:17 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

That's great to see MDG. Interestingly enough, my angel is a medic in the 116th.

 
At 7:09 PM, Blogger El Capitan said...

You guys get all the fun stuff. Us Officer pukes just get a piece of paper with a happy face on it, and a large bill for all the food we had to buy at our ceremony for everyone else to eat.

Congratulations on your reenlistment. That ceremony kicks ass.

El Capitan

 
At 7:19 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thank you. I know it's not much, and not nearly enough for what all of us at home owe all of you.

Please make sure that your comrades know that there are millions of American who follow what they do every day with the certainty of knowing that you do more good for others in 1 day serving there than most of us will do in a whole lifetime.

Take care, and we look forward to hearing from all of you when you're back.

PierreM

 
At 7:50 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thank you for serviing our country most of all I am very proud of each and everyone of you. Each one of you is so unique in what you do that together you are a force be reckon with. May God continue to protect each one of you each day.

Rosie Villarreal - Soldier's Angel in Texas

 
At 8:39 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

HOOAH!!!!
Thank you for your continued service to our great nation, and the cause of freedom and democracy for which we stand.

 
At 9:45 PM, Blogger James said...

Thanks MDG! It's good to hear some ground truth as opposed to all the whining from the left about declining numbers and morale.

Made for a good post to end a busy day! http://rightface.blogspot.com/2005/10/trouble-keeping-soldiers-no-way.html

James @ Right Face!

 
At 10:02 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thankyou so much for all that you guys do......I heard on the news the other day that re-enlistment was at an all-time high and that the quality of the troops is superb. Stay safe, almost home!

 
At 8:04 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

This is the kind of stuff we don't see on the news. Thanks for posting it for the world to see. Thanks for being the "rough man willing to do violence" to keep the rest of us safe.

 
At 9:28 AM, Blogger membrain said...

I can only echo what Patriotgirl said. Hot Damn! That's great news. Stay as safe as you can.

 
At 11:53 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thankyou for all you do. You are the true leaders for this great country we live in. It's people like you that make our country the best. Godspeed and God bless you all. Thanks again from a family in California.

 
At 11:53 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Well Done. A hearty Bravo Zulu to all of you


Simper Gumby,
Always Flexible

Roland Johnson
Ex Navy E5
Machinist Mate on
USS England CG22

 
At 12:00 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

You guys kick arse!

Thank you and God bless...

 
At 12:01 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thank you.
I wish there were words that better describe how lucky we are, to have people like you.
Branden Stage
idontknowmy.name

 
At 12:49 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

There aren't words to describe how much you are appreciated and thanked for the job you are doing. We keep you in our thoughts and prayers, along with your families back home. God Bless you all..

 
At 12:55 PM, Blogger Chevy Rose said...

This touchs my heart so much. Thank you for your service and personal sacrifice for our country.
Just further proof why America is the land of the free and home to the bravest of heros.

 
At 1:07 PM, Blogger Joel Gaines said...

Thank you all!

God Bless.

 
At 1:07 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I am pleased that we have such fine men as yourself serving our nation.
The efforts and sacrifice of our armed forces is something I will always appreciate and respect.

Having served as an infantry officer in the Marines, I know how proud you are of your service and your fellow soldiers. You guys are in my thoughts often and I hope for your speedy return following the accomplisment of your mission.

Be safe.

 
At 1:58 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Be careful and come back safe. We're for you guys and praying for you. Thanks for the insight...
Danny in Okc. Been to Idaho and hate trying to hunt Elk in those tall mountains. Survival not hunting!

 
At 2:00 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Also, makes me want to hug my 10 year old and wife when I get home. Something that I take for granted.

 
At 2:03 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

THANK YOU !
From a born in Idaho lady stuck in Washington

 
At 2:20 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Congrats to your BCT. And a special thanks to the soldiers and airmen who aided Louisiana in our time of desperation.

MAJ, LA National Guard

 
At 2:55 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

That picture is awsome. Make my hear swell with pride and gives me the chills. Thank you guys so very much.

 
At 2:59 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Lifer!
Ha Ha

 
At 3:01 PM, Blogger Michael said...

Yep, I'm gonna be a lifer...and proud of it.

 
At 4:52 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Congratulations and THANK YOU.

 
At 4:54 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

kitkat

My father is a retired AF MSgt and part of those from the 'greatest generation'. I am proud to say that our voluntary military today are fillng those shoes (as we lose many of that generation now) and doing an awesome job of protecting freedom and what the US stands for here and abroad. God Bless you and stay safe. You are in my prayers daily.

 
At 5:50 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Freedom would be lost if not for the US Armed Forces: The True Freedom Fighters!

Thank you for your dedication to duty, honor, and America.

Susan
NYC, NY

 
At 10:04 PM, Blogger magoo said...

Your work over there makes us proud to be doing our part to back home.

Thank you for helping make the world a freer, safer place.

Dan Dressel
San Diego, CA

 
At 7:48 AM, Blogger Phoenix_Blogger said...

WOW!
Thank you! Thank you! Thank You!

Smyth Family
Phoenix Az.

 
At 10:12 AM, Blogger Ken said...

Thank you for your service and congratulations on the count. Keep in mind that there are those of that support the troops AND the mission. Further, there are those of us that would gladly take our place beside you if only we could. Take care of the tangos abroad and we'll do our best to keep a lid on the wackos stateside.

BZ

 
At 10:26 AM, Blogger Gateway Pundit said...

Wow! That is cool!

Thank you and be safe.

 
At 11:11 AM, Blogger jamesAMDG said...

God bless you all.

If it wouldn't be too much trouble to pass it along, there are lots of people who support you here in Canada, even if our government is full of appeasers and wimps.

Don't get too bummed out by protests and crap, a few squeaky wheels sure as hell don't represent me or my friends.

 
At 11:25 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I envy you.

 
At 3:41 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thank you & take care -

Adriane in Phoenix

 
At 5:29 PM, Blogger Richmond said...

Thank you (MDG and all of those pictured) for your service.

I applaud your willingness to be great. May God bless and watch over you all. Thank you so much.

 
At 9:06 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

May god continue to hold each and everyone of on in the palms of his hands.
Thank you for your continued Service to our Country!
Sincerely
Cathy
Proud Massachusetts Soldiers Angel

 
At 10:42 AM, Blogger Ga Mongrel said...

Thank you sir. And God bless you all.

 
At 4:24 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thank you!
God Bless all of you!
Keep safe!

 
At 3:39 AM, Blogger devildog6771 said...

Words alone seem so inadequate to thank you all for what you do! God Bless and protect you all and your families. THANK YOU for your service and sacrifices. We love you all!

 
At 5:20 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Glad to hear you're coming home. And glad to hear your family is there for you.
I don't believe for one second that you are serving any good at all, but respect your right to believe that. Get out of Iraq, and stay out.

 
At 7:27 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thank you for everything you have done and the sacrifce you and your family have made over the last 18 months.

WELCOME HOME!
Michelle Gayhart-Carskaddon

 
At 12:57 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

If you ever want a change in latitude and break from life, (God knows all you young soldiers desire it), you're welcome to come out to Sunnyvale, CA (40 Min. from San Francisco) for a visit. My home is open for a visit to any solider that sacrifices his/her life in the name of Peace, Love, and Liberty.

God Bless America and all the US and International soldiers in Iraq.

Kindest Regards,
Bobbi Ann
bobbi_evenson2005@yahoo.com

 

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