18th MP BDE cases unit colors

Soldiers of the 18th Military Police “Ever Vigilant” Brigade cased their colors May 23 at Rhine Ordnance Barracks in preparation for an upcoming deployment.

The green and yellow streamer laden colors of the 18th MP Bde. are temporarily cased until its uncasing in Afghanistan in June. In the past, the unit’s colors have also waved representing freedom at other conflict ridden times in nations such as Vietnam, Bosnia and Iraq.

During the casing ceremony, Maj. Gen. Aundre F. Piggee, commanding general of the 21st Theater Sustainment Command, encouraged Family members and the surrounding Army community by assuring them of the extensive training undertaken by the 18th MP Bde. Soldiers.

“You were challenged with everything from the most basic individual tasks like marksmanship to learning new languages and cultures and everything in between,” said Piggee to the deploying Soldiers.

He later added, “The net result is that you are better prepared to accomplish your mission in Afghanistan where, as part of the Joint Interagency Taskforce 435, you will provide command and control of detainee operations.”

Piggee also made reassuring

remarks to Soldiers and their family members by stating, “For the Soldiers soon to deploy please know that Col. Donna Martin, 18th MP Bde. rear detachment commander, and the Family Readiness Group, led by Yuna Deadrich, will continue to care for and link your families to the great work you are doing in Afghanistan.”

“The entire military community is here to support your families, and there are countless resources available to assist,” Piggee explained. “When you need help don’t try to go at it alone. Reach out to other families through the Family Readiness Group. Reach out to community resources such as Army Community Service and Army Emergency Relief. And finally, reach out to the rear detachment leadership,” he said.

The 18th MP Bde. Commander, Col. D. David Deadrich,  also acknowledged family members by saying, “To the spouses and families, I thank you for the sacrifices you made during our train-up period, and those you will make during our deployment. Words cannot accurately reflect the gratitude of the brigade, the 21st TSC, and a grateful nation. Rest assured your Soldiers are ready and I have no doubt whatsoever that we will accomplish our mission and redeploy with honor.”

Deadrich also addressed the military police presence here in Germany in light of the 18th MP Bde.’s deployment.

“Although the brigade headquarters is deploying, two full battalions comprised of more than 1,500 Soldiers remain and I am very proud of the hard work and dedication of the Soldiers assigned to the rear brigade headquarters,” Deadrich assured.

Deadrich also encouraged ceremony attendees to think of the future.

“In nine short months, we’ll be gathered here for a similar ceremony; an uncasing and welcome home ceremony.”