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. 

Many Reading residents have expressed interest in attending the deployment. There will be 300 Soldiers, 1,200 family members, and other military personnel in attendance at the Field House so there will be little room for any additional guests. The Town suggests that those who want to honor the Soldiers line Main Street in the central Downtown area at approximately 11:00 AM so they may salute and applaud them as the buses head south down Main Street towards Hanscom Air Force Base to the planes waiting to fly them to Afghanistan. 

Due to the generosity of Reading residents, and others from various towns and states, the $9,000 goal for the Yankee Division Sweatshirt Campaign has been reached and slightly exceeded! The excess funds will be used directly for the benefit of the Soldiers of the Yankee Brigade under the supervision of Peter Hechenbleikner, Town Manager. 

So thank you all for your very generous donations and your support of the 26th “Yankee” Brigade. The sweatshirts will keep the Soldiers warm and remind them that they are in the hearts and minds of the residents of Reading throughout their deployment.