139th Activates

photo courtesy of Perry Miller KJJQ Brookings

THE 139TH BRIGADE SUPPORT BATTALION IS GETTING READY
TO HEAD OUT FOR A YEAR IN IRAQ.  HUNDREDS GATHERED AT AN ACTIVATION CEREMONY THURSDAY AFTERNOON FOR THE BROOKINGS-BASED UNIT.  THE 64 SOLDIERS WILL BE HEADING TO FORT HOOD, TEXAS FOR TRAINING BEFORE SHIPPING OVERSEAS.  THE 139TH IS MADE UP OF SOLDIERS FROM THE BROOKINGS, REDFIELD, MILLER, MITCHELL, RAPID CITY, AND SIOUX FALLS AREAS. GOVERNOR DENNIS DAUGAARD SPOKE AT THE CEREMONY, HELD AT THE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER AT S-D-S-U.  THE GOVERNOR SAYS THE WORK DONE BY THE GUARD FOR THE
CITIZENS OF THIS STATE AND COUNTRY IS INCREDIBLE…

[audio:http://prprt.itmwpb.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/688/2011/06/UnitAct1.mp3|titles=UnitAct1]
REPRESENTATIVE KRISTI NOEM THANKED THE SOLDIERS FOR
FIGHTING FOR OUR FREEDOM…

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COMMANDER OF THE 139TH, LIEUTENANT COLONEL ANTHONY
VERCHIO (VUR-SHE-OH), SAYS THEY SERVE BECAUSE THEY
BELIEVE THERE ARE THINGS WORTH FIGHTING FOR…

[audio:http://prprt.itmwpb.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/688/2011/06/UnitAct3.mp3|titles=UnitAct3]

THERE WILL ALSO BE A PARADE OUT OF BROOKINGS FOR THE
139TH ON SUNDAY AT EIGHT A-M.

(courtesy KJJQ Brookings)