Berks County residents honor Army Reservists bound for Afghanistan

By Capt. Maryjane Falefa Porter, 412th TEC Public AffairsApril 24, 2013

Berks County residents honor Army Reservists heading to Afghanistan
1 / 21 Show Caption + Hide Caption – READING, Pa. (April 14, 2013) - More than a thousand local residents showed up to honor and say goodbye to local Warrior Citizens at a deployment send-off ceremony. Approximately 150 Army Reserve Soldiers with 333rd Engineer Company, 365th Engineer ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Berks County residents honor Army Reservists heading to Afghanistan
2 / 21 Show Caption + Hide Caption – An Army Reserve Soldier with 333rd Engineer Company, 365th Engineer Battalion, 411th Engineer Brigade, 412th Theater Engineer Command, spends time with her family following the conclusion of a farewell ceremony Apr. 14, 2013, in Reading, Pa. Approxim... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Berks County residents honor Army Reservists heading to Afghanistan
3 / 21 Show Caption + Hide Caption – READING, Pa. (April 16, 2013) - A U.S. Army Reserve Soldier, bound for Afghanistan, says goodbye minutes before boarding the bus for Fort Bliss. Approximately 150 Army Reservists with 333rd Engineer Company, 365th Engineer Battalion, 411th Engineer B... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Berks County residents honor Army Reservists heading to Afghanistan
4 / 21 Show Caption + Hide Caption – READING, Pa. (April 16, 2013) - A U.S. Army Reserve Soldier, bound for Afghanistan, says goodbye minutes before boarding the bus for Fort Bliss. Approximately 150 Army Reservists with 333rd Engineer Company, 365th Engineer Battalion, 411th Engineer B... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Berks County residents honor Army Reservists heading to Afghanistan
5 / 21 Show Caption + Hide Caption – An Army Reserve Soldier with 333rd Engineer Company, 365th Engineer Battalion, 411th Engineer Brigade, 412th Theater Engineer Command, spends time with his family following the conclusion of a farewell ceremony Apr. 14, 2013, in Reading, Pa. Approxim... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Berks County residents honor Army Reservists heading to Afghanistan
6 / 21 Show Caption + Hide Caption – READING, Pa. (April 14, 2013) - An Army Reserve Soldier with 333rd Engineer Company, 365th Engineer Battalion, 411th Engineer Brigade, 412th Theater Engineer Command, is interviewed by a local news reporter minutes before boarding the bus for Ft. Bli... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Berks County residents honor Army Reservists heading to Afghanistan
7 / 21 Show Caption + Hide Caption – READING, Pa. (April 16, 2013) - A U.S. Army Reserve Soldier, bound for Afghanistan, says goodbye minutes before boarding the bus for Fort Bliss. Approximately 150 Army Reservists with 333rd Engineer Company, 365th Engineer Battalion, 411th Engineer B... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Berks County residents honor Army Reservists heading to Afghanistan
8 / 21 Show Caption + Hide Caption – READING, Pa. (April 16, 2013) - A U.S. Army Reserve Soldier, bound for Afghanistan, says goodbye minutes before boarding the bus for Fort Bliss. Approximately 150 Army Reservists with 333rd Engineer Company, 365th Engineer Battalion, 411th Engineer B... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Berks County residents honor Army Reservists heading to Afghanistan
9 / 21 Show Caption + Hide Caption – READING, Pa. (April 16, 2013) - A U.S. Army Reserve Soldier, bound for Afghanistan, says goodbye minutes before boarding the bus for Fort Bliss. Approximately 150 Army Reservists with 333rd Engineer Company, 365th Engineer Battalion, 411th Engineer B... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Berks County residents honor Army Reservists heading to Afghanistan
10 / 21 Show Caption + Hide Caption – READING, Pa. (April 16, 2013) - A U.S. Army Reserve Soldier, bound for Afghanistan, says goodbye minutes before boarding the bus for Fort Bliss. Approximately 150 Army Reservists with 333rd Engineer Company, 365th Engineer Battalion, 411th Engineer B... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Berks County residents honor Army Reservists heading to Afghanistan
11 / 21 Show Caption + Hide Caption – READING, Pa. (April 16, 2013) - A U.S. Army Reserve Soldier, bound for Afghanistan, says goodbye minutes before boarding the bus for Fort Bliss. Approximately 150 Army Reservists with 333rd Engineer Company, 365th Engineer Battalion, 411th Engineer B... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Berks County residents honor Army Reservists heading to Afghanistan
12 / 21 Show Caption + Hide Caption – READING, Pa. (April 16, 2013) - A U.S. Army Reserve Soldier, bound for Afghanistan, says goodbye minutes before boarding the bus for Fort Bliss. Approximately 150 Army Reservists with 333rd Engineer Company, 365th Engineer Battalion, 411th Engineer B... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Berks County residents honor Army Reservists heading to Afghanistan
13 / 21 Show Caption + Hide Caption – READING, Pa. (April 16, 2013) - Hundreds of students from Gov. Mifflin Intermediate School took part in a salute send-off event to honor local Army Reserve Soldiers deploying to Afghanistan in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Approximately 150 Sol... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Berks County residents honor Army Reservists heading to Afghanistan
14 / 21 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Capt. Michael Griffie, commander of 333rd Engineer Company, 365th Engineer Battalion, 411th Engineer Brigade, 412th Theater Engineer Command, and command team case unit colors during the a farewelll ceremony Apr. 14, 2013, in Reading, Pa. The constru... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Berks County residents honor Army Reservists heading to Afghanistan
15 / 21 Show Caption + Hide Caption – READING, Pa. (April 16, 2013) - A father and his two sons took part in a salute send-off event to honor local Army Reserve Soldiers deploying to Afghanistan in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Approximately 150 Soldiers with 333rd Engineer Company... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Berks County residents honor Army Reservists heading to Afghanistan
16 / 21 Show Caption + Hide Caption – READING, Pa. (April 16, 2013) - Maj. Mary Olodun joined hundreds of students from Gov. Mifflin Intermediate School in a salute send-off event to honor local Army Reserve Soldiers deploying to Afghanistan in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Approxi... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Berks County residents honor Army Reservists heading to Afghanistan
17 / 21 Show Caption + Hide Caption – READING, Pa. (April 16, 2013) - Hundreds of students from Gov. Mifflin Intermediate School took part in a salute send-off event to honor local Army Reserve Soldiers deploying to Afghanistan in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Approximately 150 Sol... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Berks County residents honor Army Reservists heading to Afghanistan
18 / 21 Show Caption + Hide Caption – READING, Pa. (April 16, 2013) - Hundreds of students from Gov. Mifflin Intermediate School took part in a salute send-off event to honor local Army Reserve Soldiers deploying to Afghanistan in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Approximately 150 Sol... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Berks County residents honor Army Reservists heading to Afghanistan
19 / 21 Show Caption + Hide Caption – READING, Pa. (April 16, 2013) - Hundreds of students from Gov. Mifflin Intermediate School took part in a salute send-off event to honor local Army Reserve Soldiers deploying to Afghanistan in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Approximately 150 Sol... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Berks County residents honor Army Reservists heading to Afghanistan
20 / 21 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Capt. Michael Griffie, commander of 333rd Engineer Company, 365th Engineer Battalion, 411th Engineer Brigade, 412th Theater Engineer Command, and command team case unit colors during the a farewelll ceremony Apr. 14, 2013, in Reading, Pa. The constru... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Berks County residents honor Army Reservists heading to Afghanistan
21 / 21 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Afghanistan-bound U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers are greeted by hundreds of students, teachers and administrators from Gov. Mifflin Intermediate School as they head for the airport. Approximately 150 Warrior Citizens from surrounding community are deploy... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

READING, Pa. -- Hundreds of Berks County residents, along with local government and military officials, were out in full force to honor Warrior Citizens heading to Afghanistan in two send-off ceremonies held here Apr. 14 and 16.

State Sen. Judy Schwank, a familiar face in 'support our troops' gatherings in the area, expressed her gratitude to the men and women in uniform for their service and sacrifice.

"We can't say thank you enough for all that you do for us everyday. This is not a farewell but a send-off, as we'll be here when you return from your successful mission," she said.

Company commander Capt. Michael Griffie, humbled for this third opportunity to lead Soldiers, is confident that his 'fast and rugged' engineers are ready to accomplish the task at hand. "They're trained, ready and motivated...can't asked for a better group to deploy with," he said.

He also thanked family members and civilian employers for their continued support, helping troops to remain focus on the mission and to complete military obligations, whether it's deploying overseas or meeting training requirements here at home.

"We couldn't do it without your help," he said.

For Aderemi Olodun, chairman of ESGR East Central Area in Pennsylvania, the forum provided a welcoming opportunity to recognize employers for the difference they make in our Soldiers' lives. The support of dedicated business owners make it easy for Soldiers to return to their civilian jobs because employers have their back.

Olodun acknowledged Mona Lisa Italian Eatery for such support and presented the local business with a plaque as a token of appreciation.

Battalion commander Lt. Col. Samuel Spurlock urged Soldiers to remain strong, focused and to take care of each other. Don't get complacent, don't let your guard down because the enemy doesn't sleep, he said.

Spc. Javon Pablo, a native of Talafofo, Guam, is eager to put her training skills to the test in Afghanistan. Pablo joined the unit a few weeks prior to deployment yet already feels at home with her new 'family'.

"The sooner we get this over with, the sooner we'll return home," she said.

On Tuesday, hundreds of students, teachers and school administrators from Gov. Mifflin Intermediate School lined the roadways, waved flags and cheered as buses carrying troops to the airport drove by their school.

"It's amazing to have so many people come out to show their support for our Soldiers. This is an emotional moment for us and I'm sure for the soldiers on the bus," said one observer.

The 333rd Eng. Co. will spend a few weeks at Fort Bliss, Texas, before heading off to the Middle East.

Related Links:

The Castle Magazine, March 2013

Defense Video & Imagery Distribution System (DVIDS)

412th Theater Engineer Command on Twitter

412th Theater Engineer Command on Facebook