Honoring those who served
MOSES LAKE — Family, friends and grateful citizens gathered together on Sunday to honor the soldiers of Company C, 1-161st Infantry Battalion for their service. The Freedom Salute Ceremony recognized the members of the Moses Lake Army National Guard for their service in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
The soldiers received commemorative awards, including an American flag in a wooden display case.
"This flag is presented to a true American hero for your service and sacrifice in the cause of freedom. Your service will never be forgotten. From the grateful people of this nation," read the engraving on the display case.
Guest speak Mayor Ronald Covey said the awards "represent the remembrance of the past, but also a continuing commitment to freedom, justice and equality."
Soldiers also received a "defender of freedom" certificate and commemorative coins.
"[The awards] represent the ideals that drive this United States of America to be a beacon of hope and a light of opportunity to the entire world," Covey said.
The ceremony also recognized three soldiers who were killed while serving in Iraq and their families received their awards.
Sergeant Damien T. Ficek, 26, died in hostile action in December 2004. Ficek graduated from Beaverton High School in Beaverton, Ore. before serving as an Army Ranger. Ficek enlisted in the Washington Army National Guard in 2002 and deployed for Iraq in February 2003.
Specialist Donald R. McCune II, 20, died from wounds received while on patrol in August 2004. McCune was a member of the Michigan Army National Guard before transferring to the 81st Brigade. McCune was a native of Yplsilanti, Mich.
Specialist Jeremiah W. Schmunk, 20, died in hostile action in July 2004. Schmunk graduated from Warden High School in Warden, Wash. in 2002 and then attended Columbia Basin Community College in the Tri-Cities before being deployed to Iraq.
Brigadier General Tony thanked the National Guard for their sacrifice and the role soldiers played in the global war on terrorism.
"When you were needed you were there, and I respect that very much," Tony said.
Tony also noted how interface with the community makes the National Guard work.
Members of the surrounding communities were present at the ceremony and thankful for the soldiers' sacrifices.
"Thank you so very much, and we appreciate them so very much," Barbara Strait, a member of the Tri-Cities based American Citizens Encouraging Support said.
ACES' members flanked the back of the room holding a sign that read "Land of the Free Because of the Brave" while the soldiers received their awards.
"We are so proud of them," Carol Boe said.
Both Tony and Covey touched on the history of the military, its soldiers and their families.
"Throughout our nation's history, our military personnel and their families have risen above the challenge, above the hardships and the pain to advance the cause of freedom and justice and the belief that all people should be able to live in domestic tranquility with their own governing bodies," Covey said.
Company C 1-161st conducted 2,437 combat patrols, 35 raids, was engaged by 17 improvised explosive devices and received numerous awards ranging from the Bronze star to the Purple Heart, Major McMahan said.