Homecoming Events are Special!
After deploying to Iraq for nearly a year, Welcome Home events have special meaning. There will be many all over the State of NJ. Here are some:
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HHC 2-113th INF Welcome Home / Family Day
September 13, 2009 -- Riverdale, NJ. The soldiers of the 2-113th INF enjoyed a very special Family Day to honor its soldiers and their families on Sunday. Thanks to Lorrayne Mercier-Robertson, 2-113th FRG Director, for organizing this fantastic event! CLICK HERE to view invite. Rock climbing, petting zoo, demonstrations by local rescue and fire departments were all part of the fun. And the entertainment rocked the house!
Cookiehead, a local power rock trio and the patriotic band that created the "American Anthem" for the I-Roq Baghdad event opened. Dougie Salomone on guitar, Bobby "Cookie" Koerner on bass and Jeff Prosetti on drums definitely rocked 'em. Special thanks to Mike Goldberg, our audio engineer extraordinaire for helping out with organizing the sound! Couldn't have done it without you boss! Thanks also to Adam Ritchie. And thanks to Kevin and the crew from Spellcaster Productions for being there for the troops and sharpening their pencil for all the sound equipment. They brought a great sound system! And thanks Cookiehead for your patriotism and support of Adopt-a-Soldier Platoon! (To view Cookiehead's American Anthem - Song for a Soldier view below.)
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After Cookiehead comes Stephen Cochran, a country singer and U.S. Marine severely injured in Afghanistan. He will perform with his band, Stephen Cochran & The New Country Outlaws. He will sing songs like "When a Hero Falls" and one of his newest, "Pieces."
Stephen loves our country and loves the troops and he will be shaking lots of hands and giving and getting lots of hugs from the audience, you can be sure! You can view an interview below to get more insight about Stephen. Thanks to Barbara Farkas and Mark Erhardt for helping make this happen for our troops at the 2-113 INF!
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On September 12, 2009, the 50th Chemical Co. marched in Somerset, NJ, and our supporters at the Franklin school were set to see the very unit they supported with their projects.
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On April 26, 2009, the Riverdale Armory and 2/113th INF held a 5K Walk to honor its soon-to-return troops. See below for pictures of the event.
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| 50th INF Brigade Combat Team
NJ Army National Guard
from all 21 counties of New Jersey
Our adoptees include soldiers from these units:
A, B, C, HHC Companies 2-113th INF; C and F Cos., 250th Brigade Support Bn.; 1460th and 1463rd Transportation Cos., Michigan Army National Guard; 50th Chemical Co; 114th HHC, INF Bn; A, B, C and D Co.; 50th STB Co; 250th BSB Co.; 328th MP Co.; 154th Water Co.; 3/112th FA A Battery, B Battery; and A and B Troop 1/102 CAV;
About 3,000 New Jersey Army National Guard soldiers are deployed in Iraq. It is the largest deployment of NJ civilian warriors since World War II. Adopt-a-Soldier Platoon is already at work supporting these troops. In addition, two companies of Michigan Army Natl Guard are also deployed with this NJ Task Force.
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Adopt-a-Soldier Platoon, Inc. is proud to be a supporter of these brave men and women who serve their State in a critical event in its history. We have a lot of work to do! We ask all our supporters and corporate sponsors and Special Friends in the State of New Jersey) to open your hearts and help us make a difference with these brave civilian warriors and their families back home. Our major supporters are shown below.
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Read a recent press release from TF Bucca on a Totowa, NJ, soldier honored by Gen. Raymond Odierno, commanding general of the Multi-National Force-Iraq.
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| NJ Gov. Jon Corzine greets NJ ARNG 2-113th commander LTC Mark Piterski during the governor's Camp Bucca visit in January 09. |
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| On Tuesday, November 11, the Assumption Academy in Emerson, NJ, hosted a webcast with one of our adoptees from Iraq. Pictured above is MAJ John T. The event allowed family and friends to say hello to this brave civilian warrior and it was especially meaningful not only because it was Veterans Day, but because MAJ T.'s son was celebrating his 6th birthday. (Click on image for more info on the event.) |
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