September 30, 2009

Markell Thanks Delaware National Guard’s ‘Heroes’

DOVER – Gov. Jack Markell thanked the men and women of the Delaware National Guard’s 261st Signal Brigade for their service and sacrifice Wednesday at the unit’s homecoming celebration.

“Heroism is about being willing to step up and serve – and you have,” Markell told the troops during the ceremony on Dover’s Legislative Mall.

The 261st Brigade returned to Delaware on Wednesday, marking the end of a year-long deployment to Iraq.

The full text of Markell’s remarks follows:

For generations, Delaware’s Governors have had the honor of standing before the brave soldiers of our National Guard here on the Green in Dover.

For generations, they have had to chance to speak of the bravery, the commitment and the conviction that comes with the decision to volunteer for military service.

For many of you returning from your second, or third or fourth tour, you are already part of that history. For those of you returning for the first time, welcome to an important part of Delaware’s heritage. Each of you – all 110 of you - deserve our thanks, and our applause.

I also know that for generations, family members have stood before us, or on the sidelines, and thought during this noble tradition – “You know, I wish these speakers would just hurry up, so I can take my solider home.”

I know that’s what you’re thinking, and that’s why I’ll be brief. The most important thing I have to say today is…. “Welcome Home!”

As I met each of you coming off the plane last week, as you arrived at that military base in New Jersey, I had the chance to say, on behalf of every Delawarean – “Thank you.”

And from so many, the response was the same - “Sir, we are just doing our job.”

But you’ve done so much more. You’ve set an example . While I understand your desire to be humble about your work, I want you to know that you are our state’s humble heroes and our nation’s premiere signal corps.

Heroism is about being willing to step up and serve – and you have.

Heroism is about being willing to go farther than others thought possible – and you did. The 261st was the first National Guard unit to take responsibility for running the entire Communications network in the Iraqi theater.

Heroism is about serving others selflessly – and you do. As if leaving your families and friends thousands of miles away to spend so much time rebuilding Iraq was not enough service, 6 soldiers from the 261st received Outstanding Volunteer Service Medals for their work with the Iraqi Boy Scouts.

Heroism is about leaving a legacy that matters and you have. As we speak, I am told that Iraqi military leaders and civilians are benefitting from the Baghdad Signal University that you helped establish - a school designed to teach the basics for setting up and maintaining communications networks.

As you return to your homes today and your jobs soon after, I know you will bring with you memories of your time together in Iraq. Time teaching Iraqis about the content and character of the American service man and woman. Time spent cheering on the members of the 261st who went head-to-head in a 10-mile ruck race, complete with weapons and combat boots, against about 80 active duty special forces, rangers and combat arms teams – and time maintaining a communications network that let our military coordinate across the country and families connect with soldiers across the world.

It is truly my honor and pleasure to be before you today.

On behalf of all Delawareans, to you, our humble heroes, we say “thank you” and “welcome home.”