MANNHEIM, Germany - The Soldiers of the 720th Explosive Ordnance Disposal Company, 391st Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 16th Sustainment Brigade cased the company guidon Feb. 11 during a ceremony at the Coleman Barracks gymnasium here as the unit's final step prior to deploying to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Feb.15.
The 720th EOD Co. 'Juggernauts', comprised of 44 Soldiers and led by the command team of Capt. Clinton Pierce and 1st Sgt. Daniel Hope, will provide multifunctional logistical support to coalition forces while deployed.
"We are confident in your abilities, your training and your character," said Lt. Col. Christopher Luekenga, the 391st CSSB commander. "You make us proud as we've watched you develop into who you are today. You make us proud because you are willing to be the best our nation has to offer the world. You are an American Soldier."
Luekenga offered words of encouragement first uttered by General Douglas MacArthur in a speech given at West Point in May of 1962.
"As you depart, never forget these values - duty, honor, country," said Luekenga. "These words are your rallying point to build courage when courage seems to fail, to regain faith when there seems to be little cause for faith and to create hope when hope fails."
"On behalf of the Families here today, I say to each of you - we respect you, we will miss you, but don't worry about us," Luekenga added. "Just do your duty, and do it well."
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