Tuesday morning Governor Crist joined the families and friends of 180 members of the Florida Army National Guard as they gathered at the state’s Capitol before deploying to Iraq.
Said Crist, “As these members of the 779th Combat Engineer Battalion travel far from home, I invite you to join me in praying for their safety and for the security of their families who will remain here at home.”
Over the course of the next year, the guard will provide engineering support in Iraq. According to Crist, their work will include building structures for Iraqi civilians or the military and preparing existing structures for future reconstruction. Crist said that he was confident that they will proudly serve and wholeheartedly follow their battalion’s motto, “Do Right, Fear Nothing.”
The Governor expressed his gratitude, as well as the state and country, to the honorable men and women of the Florida National Guard who serve bravely and selflessly.
According to Crist, guardsmen and women are always ready to answer the call to service to put themselves in harm’s way to defend our freedoms. We are forever indebted to them and their families for their sacrifices and their dedication to a cause bigger than themselves.
Crist further noted that, servicemen and women are true heroes. “We are blessed with freedom and opportunity unlike any other country in the world because of their courageous commitment. May God bless our National Guardsmen and women and their families,” he said.
