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Dec. 21, 2011- Pfc. Rilley Krebsbach (left), infantryman, Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard), and his squad, practice firing techniques four days before Christmas on Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Va. Krebsbach is a part of a firing party which rendered honors to fallen service members over the holiday season. Photo by Army Sgt. Luisito Brooks
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WASHINGTON (1/6/2012) -- 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard)
soldiers, share their experiences of being with and away from family
for the first time during the holiday season.
Last year, Sgt.
Cameron Hayes spent the holidays deployed on a small forward
operating base in Afghanistan halfway around the world from his wife
and four children.
“We had no choice but
to celebrate all of the holidays over the phone and on the
computer,” said Hayes.
This year, however, Hayes, a firing party commander, Bravo
Company, 1st Battalion, 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard),
served his country during the holidays a little closer to home.
“I've missed many birthdays, anniversaries and Christmases over
the years,” said Hayes. “Now I get a chance to do all the little
things like putting the tree together, hanging lights on the house
and wrapping presents with my wife and kids.” |
As a firing party commander, Hayes is responsible
for the precision and execution of a seven-man firing squad
which render final honors during funeral ceremonies in
Arlington National Cemetery, Va.
“It is an honor to
command a team that honors the fallen [service members] the
way we do, said Hayes. “Even though we practice for
countless hours, I am happy to be in a unit where I can go
to a store to finish my Christmas shopping and then go home
every night to my family.”
Hayes credits his wife for remaining strong
through all the times and distances their family has been
apart.
“It was my wonderful wife Brandie that
literally held everything together during my deployments,”
said Hayes. “When you have someone like her to carry such a
large load, it helps.”
It was just the opposite for
Pfc. Riley Krebsbach, infantryman, Charlie Company, who
usually spends his holidays eating mom's home-cooking in
Evansville, Ind.
“Being stationed [on Joint Base
Myers-Henderson Hall, Va., will be my first Christmas away
from home in 22 years,” said Krebsbach.
Krebsbach
explained that being over 700 miles away from his family
doesn't mean that he is without people who care for him
during the holidays.
“I know that my parents are
proud of me and will miss me around the house this holiday,
but the friends I've made in my unit have cared for me like
family,” Krebsbach said. “We help each other out with our
uniforms and getting ready for different missions. This is a
great place to be stationed because there is just so much
stuff to do.”
For Krebsbach, working during the
holidays has also given him a better understanding of the
true measure of the ultimate sacrifice.
“No matter
what time of year it is, we take our job very seriously. I
realize what we do is for the families,” Krebsbach said
confidently. “Yeah it would be great to be home, but for
that soldier and their family who we are honoring during
this time of year, it means the world.”
By Army Sgt. Luisito Brooks
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2012
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