August 31 – Our citizen soldiers – those in the guards and reserves – honor their commitment to our country by serving when called. On Saturday, the men and women of the U.S. Army Reserve 591st Transportation Detachment were officially welcomed home at a ceremony in Chattanooga, after returning in July from a year in Iraq. The 591st served as the information center for Southern Iraq coordinating all cargo movements from Baghdad to the Kuwait border. Their successful mission guaranteed that critical supplies and equipment reached our soldiers, marines, sailors and airmen deployed in Iraq.

 

This is their second year-long deployment since 2004. We are extremely thankful that all members of the detachment returned safely to their families. The rotation cycle is too frequent for troops and their families, and this tempo is not sustainable. That’s why we are so very grateful that these men and women are willing to serve. We offer heartfelt thanks to the members of the 591st and their families, who faithfully carried the burden while their citizen soldiers were deployed.