CULLMAN —
With patriotism overflowing out of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2214 building, members of the Cullman-based Charlie company of the Alabama Army National Guard's 167th enjoyed the well-wishes from local veterans and political leaders Thursday night.
The group was treated to a southern cooked meal of chicken, green beans, mashed potatoes and squash casserole, along with a glass sweet tea and desert, as part of a send-off dinner in their honor. Approximately 140 Cullman area soldiers are scheduled to depart today after a ceremony at Sportsman Lake park, to a mobilization site this weekend before heading to Afghanistan.
"Honored is the only word I can say as I stand in your presence," State Rep. Jeremy Oden said. "Tonight we're here saying come back home to us. You have honored me tonight and I thank you for that. I will be in prayer for you and I will be in prayer for your families."
Retired Air Force Col. Ken Brown stood before the group dressed in an exact replica of a uniform his ancestor wore as a member of the 9th Massachusetts infantry regiment of the Continental Line during the Revolutionary War, while telling the story of the military's long gray line — a line of American patriots who since the American Revolutionary War have come forward to serve their country and to defend the cause of freedom.
"It's important for all of us to think about how long patriots like you have been stepping forward to defend this nation and to defend the cause of freedom," Brown said. You, the long gray line, have never failed us. It stretches all the way from Lexington green directly down to all of you here in this room tonight."
From World War II, to the Korea and Vietnam wars, local veterans like George Mann, Julian Campbell, Lee Hamilton and Wayne Lackey all spoke, offering words of encouragement.
"I hope each and every one of you come back home safely. God bless you all," Lackey said.
Cullman Mayor Max Townson closed out the night with a rendition of “The Old Rugged Flag,” followed by a message of appreciation on behalf of the group from Guard Capt. Heath Brown.
"We really appreciate you supporting us in our deployment," Brown said. "I can promise you this, our soldiers, our NCOs and our officers are the best in the state, and we're going to accomplish our mission. I hope we can help this old ragged flag stand when we come back."
* Ashley Graves can be reached by phone at 734-2131, ext. 225, or by email at agraves@cullmantimes.com
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Members of Alabama Army National Guard's 167th sit among veterans at a dinner Thursday in Cullman. Ashley Graves
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Veterans honor local members of Charlie Company
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