Charlie Battery in Monticello transitions to Bravo Battery
Story and photos by Lt. Col Kirk Hibrecht, Director of Public Affair, Kentucky National Guard
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U.S. Representative Hal Rogers attends the casing of the colors ceremony of the Kentucky National Guard's C Battery, 1st Battalion 623rd Field Artillery in Monticello, Ky. August 2, 2014. (Photo by Lt. Col. Kirk Hilbrecht, Kentucky National Guard Public Affairs).
MONTICELLO, Ky (August 2, 2014) -U.S. Representative Harold ‘Hal’ Rogers presided over the casing of the colors ceremony of the Kentucky National Guard's C Battery, 1st Battalion 623rd Field Artillery in southern Kentucky on Saturday.
The artillery unit unveiled its new designation as Battery B, continuing its 168-year legacy as "Morgan's Men" in Monticello.
The unit dates back to 1846 as the 1st Kentucky Calvary. Morgan's men fought with John Hunt Morgan and the Confederacy during the Civil War. Elements of the 1/623
rd participated in World War I, World War II, Korea, Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Enduring Freedom.
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U.S. Representative Hal Rogers presides over the casing of the colors ceremony of the Kentucky National Guard's C Battery, 1st Battalion 623rd Field Artillery in Monticello, Ky. August 2, 2014. (Photo by Lt. Col. Kirk Hilbrecht, Kentucky National Guard Public Affairs).
Congressman Rogers was a Kentucky Guardsman assigned to C Battery.
"Shortly after graduating from Wayne County High School, I went to the old armory building downtown Monticello, raised my right hand and enlisted in Battery C 1/623rd Field Artillery," said Rogers. "As these colors of Battery C are permanently encased, let us rest calmly in the days to come knowing that the citizen soldiers of this community will continue to stand watch over us and guard this Nation's security and our Commonwealth."
Rogers was named the enlisted Soldier of the Year in the Kentucky National Guard in 1961.
"It's an historic day and a bittersweet day as we case the colors of Battery C," said Major General Tonini, adjutant general of Kentucky. "We will never forget the contribution to this community or to national defense."
Following the casing ceremony, Congressman Rogers was presented with the Harry S. Truman Award, the highest honor of the National Guard Association of the United States (NGAUS).
“The Truman Award is more than just our association’s highest honor. It is recognition of inclusion in a special fraternity of patriots, people who have made a difference in the institutions that defend our nation,” said retired Maj. Gen. Gus Hargett, the president of the National Guard Association of the United States.
“Rep. Harold Rogers is just that kind a patriot,” he said.
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Maj. Gen. (retired) Gus Hargett, President of the National Guard Association of the United States presents the prestigious Harry S. Truman award to U.S. Representative Hal Rogers in Monticello, Ky. August 2, 2014. The Truman award is the Association’s highest honor for sustained and exceptional contributions to the security of the United States by a civilian or military leader (Photo by Lt. Col. Kirk Hilbrecht, Kentucky National Guard Public Affairs).