***Press Release***

The 26th “Yankee” Brigade Headquarters and the 26th Signal Company stationed right here in Reading at Camp Curtis-Guild will deploy to Afghanistan for one year beginning this February. There is going to be a deployment ceremony held at the Reading Memorial High School Hawkes Field House on February 15, 2011 at 9:00 AM. The 300 Soldiers attending this ceremony will board busses at the conclusion of the ceremony and depart for their planes at Hanscom Air Force Base.

Frank Driscoll, Reading’s Veterans Service Officer, is asking the residents of Reading to donate the cost of a specially designed sweatshirt, purchased locally, to be given to each Soldier as they board the bus to show the support of the town, and to boost morale for the journey ahead. The cost for each shirt is $25 and your donation can be dropped off at the Town Hall or mailed to Frank Driscoll at Town Hall, 16 Lowell Street, Reading MA, 01867. The deadline for donations is Thursday, February 3rd. Checks should be made out to the Town of Reading.

The 26th “Yankee” Division (YD) has a rich and storied history, and has been based in Massachusetts for nearly 100 years. The very highway that passes through Reading, Route 128, was designated and remains today the “Yankee Division Highway.” The YD was the first U.S. Division to reach France in WWI, and was victorious at the Battle of the Bulge serving for General Patton in WWII. The 26th “Yankee” Brigade has continued this proud tradition of service having previously deployed units to Iraq, Afghanistan, Kosovo, Guantanamo Bay, and Egypt following the attacks on September 11, 2001. Most recently, 1,000 Soldiers from the “Yankee” Brigade have just returned from Iraq. 1,000 Soldiers are currently serving in Afghanistan and 1,000 Soldiers from the “Yankee” Brigade are scheduled to deploy to Afghanistan this year.

 Please show your appreciation and support for these Soldiers by contributing the cost of a sweatshirt ($25) or making a donation in any amount to the fund. Let’s send our Soldiers off with a warm reminder that we appreciate their sacrifices and wish them a safe deployment and Godspeed (a successful journey).