Deployed Illinois Soldiers receive combat service patch

Story by Staff Sgt. Michael Camacho, 108th Sustainment Brigade Public Affairs

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SPRINGFIELD, IL (03/11/2014)(readMedia)-- CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait – Soldiers from the 108th Sustainment Brigade (SB) in Chicago, received combat patches for their overseas deployment during a ceremony at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, March 6.

"Today we witness Soldiers receiving the right to wear the 108th Sustainment Brigade's patch as the shoulder sleeve insignia for combat service," said Lt. Col. Dan Williams of Nashville, Tenn., with the 108th SB.

Williams said while the patch is a simple piece of cloth, it is a symbol of the commitment to the servicemembers' call to duty, recent and past, and all those who have served in overseas combat operations.

"You are now part of a time honored tradition, band of brothers and sisters who will forever be known as 'combat veterans,'" said Williams.

Spc. Crystal Nuñez of Chicago with the 108th Special Troops Battalion, said she would wear her combat patch with an understanding of the military heritage it carries as "Chicago's Brigade."

"I felt pride when the battalion commander patched me and the battalion sergeant major told me 'be proud; today is a good day,'" said Nuñez.

Dukett said this ceremony is another milestone in the unit's history of supporting the war fighter wherever they may be.

"The brigade carries a long history of supporting overseas combat operations," said Col. Drew Dukett of Roodhouse, Ill., commander of the 108th SB. "A combat patch is a sign of overseas service among veterans, I know each Soldier will wear it proudly for years to come."

While the brigade was established in 2006, it carries a lineage dating back to 1936. The 108th SB shoulder sleeve insignia was approved in November 2006, shortly before the brigade was officially activated. The patch design alludes to the five military branches and incorporates the 13 stars representing the first American colonies, which adorn the wheel of logistics. The 'Y' in the center of the patch pays respect to where the North Branch and Chicago Rivers join.

Spc. Erica Pettis of Chicago, receives her combat patch from Maj. Timothy Newman of Mahomet, Ill., support operations officer for the 108th Sustainment Brigade, while Spc. Jessica Egan-Long of Lindenhurst, Ill., stands in formation, at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, March 6. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Michael Camacho, 108th Sustainment Brigade Public Affairs)

Maj. Shawn Nokes of Springfield, Ill., receives his combat patch from Col. Drew Dukett of Roodhouse, Ill., commander of the 108th Sustainment Brigade, at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, March 6. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Michael Camacho, 108th Sustainment Brigade Public Affairs)