2-108th Infantry Battalion, New York Army National Guard

Iron Soldiers, This past weekend, officers from across the Iron Battalion conducted Officer Professional Development (OPD) under the guidance and leadership of Iron 6 and Iron 3, defining and refining the skills and competencies required to lead Soldiers in combat. Great Job Sir... Blood and Iron.

What is a Veteran? Yes the simple answer is one that served in the military but, a better definition may be in the description of what they felt or experienced the Veteran stepped up to the plate and answered the call, the Veteran is the pin drop of our society that took the oath to protect and defend the Constitution, the Veteran is the one that was charged with preparing and meeting the violence of War, the Veteran faced the British guns at Yorktown to form our nation,... the Veteran left their families and farms to fight during the War of 1812 and held the country together during the Civil War, the Veteran was apart of enormous armies that survived drum beat artillery and went over the top against terrible odds during the First World War, during WWII the Veteran gripped volcanic sands as he clenched for survival on the beaches of the Pacific Theater, repeatedly charged the mountainous hills of the Philippines, froze in the cold winter of Europe, the Veteran witnessed the destruction of Monte Cassino, the horrors of the death camps, felt the elation of liberated civilians, in Korea the Veteran faced 1 million screaming Chinese and bitterly fought for 3 years over unforgiving terrain only to have history label it the Forgotten War, in Vietnam the Veteran spent the tour soaked with sweat while dealing with the awful heat and humidity of the Jungle as they fought Vietnam’s warrior class for years, the Veteran stood at Checkpoints along the Berlin Wall waited for WWIII to start, the Veteran trained for months in the field for war with foreign countries, the Veteran without hesitation answered the call when the nation was attacked, the Veteran drove out of the wire everyday facing many unknowns and an invisible enemy, the Veteran is the one that witnessed the death of comrades that we remember on Memorial Day, the Veteran hangs a new American Flag on the house every Flag Day, the Veteran raises their children with solid values, the Veteran remembers the sacrifices, never forgets the real cold or heat, never forgets the filth they had to endure, the lack of sleep and not knowing when it will be their turn, never forgets the highs of fear or exhilaration, never forgets the victims of war, never forgets the closeness that they experienced with other Warriors in those fleeting moments of violence The Veteran is an incredible person and asset to our Society. The Veteran is better than any Rockstar, famous athlete, movie icon, or politician. The Veteran is the one that put life on hold to do the right thing and is the real Rockstar! Happy Veterans Day, enjoy it because it is your day! Iron 7

Iron Soldier, To start off the Iron Battalions last IDT weekend Badger Company held its First Formation after reflagging from the North County to Camp Smith, NY. With this move Badger Company also picked up 33 Wolfhounds who elected to stay at Camp Smith. Welcome to the Iron Battalion. Blood and Iron.... * Additionally during their first Formation CPL Hackett and SPC Mazurek were presented awards from the NYS Senate for their work with the ESGR program.

Iron Soldiers, The results are in and after three grueling days the Iron Battalion stands victorious. Avenger Companies, SSG Mulholland and Havoc Compaines, SPC Miller, both took first in their respective categories at the 27th Brigade Best Warrior Competiton and will go on to represent the Brigade at the New York State Best Warrior Competition later in the year. Great Job SSG Mulholland and SPC Miller and remember... Blood and Iron.

Iron Soldiers, The Iron Battalions Best Warriors are on their way to Camp Smith for the 27th Infantry Brigades Best Warrior Comptetion. Good luck to the competitors and pay attention as we provide updates from the field. Blood and Iron.