Story by Capt. Stephen Martin, Kentucky National Guard Public Affairs
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Capt Adam Evans, 149th Vertical Construction Company Commander addresses friends and family at the unit's departure ceremony in Cynthiana, Ky., Feb 2. The Soldiers will be deploying to Afghanistan for the year. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Capt. Stephen Martin)
CYNTHIANA, Ky. -- The Kentucky National Guard held two departure ceremonies for the Soldiers of the 149th Vertical Construction Company over the weekend, one in Cynthiana and one in Olive Hill, Ky., as they prepare for a 9-month deployment to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
To see all the photos from this event, please click HERE.
"We are very fortunate to have our non-commissioned officers that have the experience of multiple deployments and truly uphold the values of the NCO Creed," said Capt. Adam Evans, 149th VCC Commander. "I can truly say that the NCO’s of the 149th are the hard and tough backbone of this company, and will make this deployment a success."
The 149th Vertical Construction Company is comprised of Soldiers trained in the necessary skills -- masonry, carpentry, electrical etc. -- to construct barracks, offices and other buildings. The unit is expected to return home sometime in late December of this year.
"I want to recognize the families, the parents, the husbands and wives and the children of these great Soldiers," said Brig. Gen. Mike Richie, Kentucky National Guard Joint Force, Land Component Commander. "They will face the unknown for the next several months, and right now they are doing it with the kind of dignity and strength usually found in what we think of as heroes.
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The Kentucky National Guard held a departure ceremony for the Soldiers of the 149th Vertical Construction Company on Saturday Feb. 2, in Cynthiana, Ky. The Soldiers will be deploying to Afghanistan for the year. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Capt. Stephen Martin)
The unit deployed previously in 2008-2009 as part of the 201st Engineer Battalion mission to Afghanistan. Soldiers also supported last year's tornado recovery effort in Salyersville and Menifee County."Friends and family, you came today to honor these Soldiers and you've done that." commented Kentucky State Representative Tom McKee. "Soldiers, Godspeed."