U.S. Army soldiers of the 423rd Military Police Company, headquartered in Shoreham, received a mobilization ceremony at the St. Patrick School in Smithtown ahead of their deployments.
Families, military leaders, and local elected officials gathered to wish the group of America’s Finest off on their missions.
Reserve Ambassador Gary Portis addressed, not just the soldiers, but the military spouses and families present. Portis said that during his deployment, his daughter called him to inform him that his wife’s biopsy had come back positive.
“I didn’t even know my wife had gone in for a biopsy, but because I was away on duty, my wife chose to keep that information to herself,” said Portis, adding that his general offered to have him flown home. However, his wife objected.
“‘No, finish the mission,’” recalled Portis of his wife’s words. “That’s the kind of support that they are giving to you [active-duty soldiers], military spouses, military companions, and I want you all to remember that. Do not forget them.”
After a rendition of the National Anthem and prayer led by Chaplain and Lieutenant Colonel Brian McNamara, Congressman Nick LaLota (R, NY-01) (pictured above), himself a Navy Veteran, opened the remarks.
“The best job I ever had was being an officer in the finest Navy the world has ever known, and I got to work with some of the bravest, selfless, and dedicated Americans the world has ever seen,” said LaLota. “A couple days ago, we celebrated our nation’s 248th birthday, and in doing so, we celebrated the ideals which have made our country so great, ideals like equality, justice, freedom, and opportunity. But those ideals will not be associated with the great flag that we have, and we fly today in the honor of our soldiers, but for the sacrifice that so many continue to make for the defense of our great country.”
“You’re going to go on a year-long deployment, and you’re going to face difficult challenges. And I hope that when you do so, you rely upon each other, you rely upon your training, but I also hope that you recognize the toughest job in the military is being a spouse or a family member of a military man or woman,” LaLota added. “They are the backbone, not only of our communities, but our service as well. So I wish you on behalf of the many elected officials who are with me here today, Godspeed, safe employment, see you again. God bless.”
Suffolk County Legislator Chad Lennon (R-Rocky Point) (pictured above), a Marine Reservist, said that his office is open to facilitate calls and needs of the troops facing deployment.
“I want to make sure that all of you are focused on your mission and that your families have the support they need,” said Lennon, adding that upcoming fundraisers and collection events will send items to fill the needs of the soldiers and their families.
Lennon also offered his services as a military and Veterans attorney should the need arise.
“The biggest thing we want to do is support all those units and communities that are deployed,” said Lennon. “Please feel free to pick up the phone, knock on my office door, or email me. My office is here to support all of you to make sure that your children, your spouses, and your friends are fully supported. Good luck to all of you, have a good deployment, come home safely, and we’ll all be here for when you return for whatever you need and when you get back.”
The keynote speaker of the event was former Command Sergeant Major of the 10th Mountain Division, Mario Terenas (pictured above), who gave the troops four pieces of advice to remember while on deployment.
“The strength of our nation is the Army, and the strength of our Army is the soldiers, and the strength of our soldiers is the family,” said Terenas, before listing the four points that served him well in his thirty-two-year military career.
“Number one: do not be average. I don’t want to be next to an average soldier who’s not been fighting. I don’t want to be led by average leaders. Our country doesn’t deserve to have an average Army. Your families don’t deserve to have average soldiers protecting you,” said Terenas. “Not being average means that you give everything it takes.”
“Number two: if you’re in a fight and you ask for my help, I’m coming for you, but the only way I will get to you is if I die in the line,” said Terenas. “I want you to think that. Any of your friends, your battle brothers, if they ask you for help, you better go to the fight. You give everything.”
“Number three: do not walk past the problem. Through this next year, you’re going to be posed with situations and problems. Don’t walk past it. Just imagine that we live in a world where every single one of us does not walk past the problem,” said Terenas. “Whether it is increased stress on the ground, whether it’s a body that’s in need of help, whether it’s an effort to live, just don’t walk past the problem. Average people walk past the problem. Don’t be average.”
“And number four, my favorite quote: ‘be humble in victory and be magnanimous in defeat.’ You are not defined by your victory, rather you’re defined by how you overcome loss and defeat, and how you rise to the occasion,” said Terenas. “You are going to fail this next year, at one point or another. What will define you as an individual, as a soldier, as a leader, is the way you rise from that and overcome it. We try, and we try and we try, and we try again, and we succeed.”
Some members of the troop were then issued promotions before deployment, with families and friends in attendance for the ceremonies.
In attendance also was County Executive Ed Romaine (R-Center Moriches), Senator Mario Mattera (R-St. James), Brookhaven Town Supervisor Dan Panico (R-Center Moriches), Suffolk County Comptroller John Kennedy (R-Nesconset), and Suffolk County Legislator Leslie Kennedy (R-Nesconset).
