1st Combat Engineer Battalion

I had the opportunity, along with my wife, to go to the 1st Combat Engineer Battalion picnic at Camp Pendleton today.  This Battalion has a storied history spanning Guadalcanal, Inchon, Chosin Reservoir, Da Nang, the Gulf War, Somalia and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

The have had been to Iraq on two tours and are back in the States until some of them likely deploy again in August.  It was an honor to share a meal and talk about their hometowns and what their plans were after their service.

They, like many in the service, have experienced a great deal in Iraq, from Al Anbar Provence to Ramadi.  The battalion has lost 11 soldiers in Iraq.  It was nice to see them home, enjoying a day by the beach, with friends and family.  I pray that all of our servicemen and women abroad get to celebrate their safe return and a job well done.  For those that have given the ultimate sacrifice, I want to express my deepest gratitude. 

Comments

[Dana Simmons]

Bill:

Thanks to you and your wife for reprsenting SCPC at the picnic yesterday. I agree it was an honor to be with these young men and their families. I enjoyed getting to know you both better. Too bad Derek was AWOL. See you soon.

Dana Simmons

[The Redhunter]

What an honor that must have been. Every year there is an air show at Andrews AFB in Maryland (just outside of DC) and I try to go. While the hardware is as always fascinating, I always try to engage the soldiers, sailors, pilots, etc in a bit of conversation. What I've found is that they love to talk to civilians and answer our questions. They talk about what they do, Iraq/Afghanistan, anything. What a great military we have.