Task Force Shield prepares to assist families of deployed at Grafenwöhr

Task Force Shield prepares to assist families of deployed at Grafenwöhr
By Seth Robson, Stars and Stripes
European edition, Sunday, September 7, 2008

GRAFENWÖHR, Germany — Task Force Shield — a rear detachment for the 172nd Infantry Brigade — activated here Friday in preparation for the departure of thousands of Iraq-bound soldiers from the unit later this year.

At a ceremony to unfurl the task force colors at Grafenwöhr’s Field House, 172nd’s commander, Col. Jeff Sinclair, likened the rear detachment to Indian braves who stayed behind to look after families when their comrades went to war.

"The braves would never fight unless someone was left behind to take care of their families," he said.

Gen. George Washington recognized the importance of caring for soldiers’ families at Valley Forge during the American War of Independence, he added.

"He understood that if we want a professional military we can never do it unless we take care of the families," he said. "The military will be judged on how they take care of their families and the wounded."


Rest of article at: http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=57254



uhc comment: And the military will also be judged on how they take care of their veterans.