mjo
By Capt. Andi Hahn, 149th MEB Public Affairs Officer
[caption id="attachment_6565" align="aligncenter" width="600" caption="Kentucky Guardsmen of the 149th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade are honored by the Kentucky general assembly in Frankfort, Ky., March 2. (pictured with members of 149th MEB are House Speaker Greg Stumbo and state representatives Will Coursey and Dewayne Bunch)"]
FRANKFORT, Ky.—The Kentucky House of Representatives and state Senate recently honored the Soldiers of the Kentucky National Guard’s 149
th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade on the floor of both chambers at the state capitol in Frankfort, Ky., March 2.
Resolutions honoring the brigade were passed on Feb. 28 and March 8 respectively.
A group of Soldiers from the brigade attended the readings while approximately 1300 Soldiers assigned to the 149
thMEB trained at the Wendell H. Ford Regional Training Center in Greenville, Ky., and Camp Atterbury, Ind., for the brigade’s upcoming mobilization.
[caption id="attachment_6559" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Col. Scott Campbell, 149th brigade commander, and 1st Sgt. Christopher Morgan, 149th Headquarter Headquarters Company, receive the state flag from Kentucky’s Secretary of State Elaine N. Walker at the state capitol in Frankfort, Ky., March 2."]
“We have a very special group of people here today and we are honored to be here with them,” said Rep. Tanya Pullin. “These Soldiers who are here with us today reflect the diversity which is the 149
th MEB.”
“Today we honor them and all the members of the 149
th MEB and send them off with our respect and our prayers for a safe return,” Pullin said.
Rep. Greg Stumbo, speaker of the house, said the departure of these brave Soldiers will be felt by their local communities and Kentucky’s military Families.
“Kentucky’s employers will also be impacted as Soldiers leave their jobs to serve their state and country,” Stumbo said.
“Although they regret they must leave their friends and Families, these highly trained members of the Kentucky National Guard are facing their deployment with determination, dedication, confidence and resolve,” he said.
Col. Scott Campbell, 149
thMEB commander, presented Stumbo with a brigade coin, a symbol of appreciation and excellence in the Kentucky National Guard.
[caption id="attachment_6557" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Kentucky Guardsmen of the 149th MEB receive honor and recognition at the state general assembly in Frankfort, Ky., March 2."]
“We are embarking on the largest wartime mobilization in the Kentucky National Guard since World War II,” Campbell said. “Even though we have prepared for this deployment the last two years, we have a long way to go to accomplish our mission and bring everyone home safe.”
Stumbo said the Kentucky House of Representatives would adjourn that day in honor of the 149
thMEB and the sacrifices they will make as they face deployment.
“We want to honor their commitment to do what is necessary to preserve the cherished freedom that we enjoy as Americans and Kentuckians,” Stumbo said. “Ladies and gentlemen best of luck to you, and may God bless you.