LTC Tweedy  Commander 24th Battalion

24th BN News from LT White

09 OCT 2007

• Congratulations to the 24th BN for winning the Deadeye award for the 2 out of the past 3 years.  LTC Tweedy is extremely proud of all of the hard work that has been done by the troops.
• Congratulations to the following on their recent promotions: 2LT Ed Glass to 1LT, 1LT Michael Fein to CPT, 1LT Gail McIver to CPT, PVT Joseph Williams to PV2.
• PVT Cynthia Otsuji is the new Personnel SGT.  She is doing a fine job with assisting LT White in the S-1 section.  She has proven to be a valuable asset earning many compliments and commendations from both Battalion and Brigade staff. 
• Welcome aboard to new enlistees, SGT E.W. Allen, PV2 Wes Chilton and PVT Lisa Williamson.  SGT Allen's son has also enlisted since the fall MUTA.  PVT Chilton is the nephew of C CO 1SG Pete Chilton and PVT Williamson is the wife of PFC Williamson.  All of the new troops are making their marks in the Battalion with a can-do attitude. 

28 JUN 2006

• Congratulations to CPT Grady Farley on his recent promotion. CPT Farley serves as our Recruiting Officer and has logged many miles on his vehicle to recruit Virginia's finest.
• Congratulations to LT Ed Glass on his recent Appointment.  LT Glass was pinned by his wife and LTC Tweedy during a recent ceremony. He will serve as the BN Chemical Officer
• With mixed emotion, CSM Darbro was honored by his fellow troops during a retirement dinner in his honor on 17 JUNE.  He had the pleasure of having his entire family present for only the third time in their lives due to military service.  He was given numerous plaques, commendations and a state flag that had been flown over the State Capitol in his honor.  A special thank you to our honored guests: COL Eberhardt, LTC Grier, MAJ March, CSM Williamson, CSM Sisson and SFC Banik for representing Highland Brigade and saying a few words in appreciation of CSM Darbro.  With the dinner, CSM Darbro concludes close to 60 years of military service.
• 1SG Doss will be stepping in as the new CSM and is doing a fantastic job hitting the ground running.  He has already met with his various 1SGs and has discussed different things to keep up troop retention and more recruiting possibilities. Welcome CSM Doss!
• LTC Tweedy would like to extend his appreciation to all troops that served recently at Uncle Billy's Days in AltaVista, VA. It is always guaranteed to be long hours, warm temperatures and plenty of experience in parking detail. The troops worked extremely hard to ensure success of the mission and it paid off.
• Congratulations to A Co troops SFC Light, SSG Crockett and SSG Aldrich for being selected as A Co Soldiers of the Quarter. This award was given to all three troops for their performance during the Brigade MUTA.  A Certificate of Appreciation was also handed to each troop from Battalion and a plaque will hang on the wall in LT McIver's office in their honor.
• A Co's SGT Littlejohn has attended his last drill with the VADF as his family is being transferred to Alaska. While in A Co, SGT Littlejohn has proved to be an invaluable troop in the field of Communications.  His efforts to develop and maintain his Company's communications have not gone unnoticed.  He will be greatly missed by all who served with him.  We extend to him our thoughts and prayers as they make this transition.
• Our thoughts and prayers are extended to B Co members SGT Newton and CPL Cash who have experienced recent deaths in their families.
• Welcome back to C Co LT Miller who had been on a leave of absence to take care of an ailing parent. He has been missed by both Company and Battalion.

• HHC is proud to announce the return of CPL Shane Patrick to the Security Platoon.  CPL Patrick briefly had stepped out of service in order to attend the Central Virginia Criminal Justice Academy as he serves in the Amherst County Sheriff's Dept. Welcome back CPL Patrick!
• CSM Herman Darbro has announced that the recently completed MUTA will be his last with our BN. He has completed 16 years of service with the VADF and will be greatly missed.
• Congratulations to A Co troops SGT Charles Aldrich and SGT Eric Schrock for their promotions to SSG.  Both troops are faithful and hard working soldiers. We are honored to have them in our Battalion.
• Congratulations to B Co SGT Garland Newton for being selected as the new Company 1SG.  SGT Newton has hit the ground running as he works to fulfill his new duties.  We extend best wishes to SFC Thomas Hickey as he has decided to transfer to the Auxiliary at this time.
• Welcome aboard to SSG Arnie Chilton, PFC Debbie Chilton, CPL Laura Lewis and PV1 John Benefiel.  The Chiltons and CPL Lewis are recent transfers from the Aviation Battalion (via Auxiliary).  SSG Chilton serves as C Co's 1SG and is doing an outstanding job.  In the short time that TOP Chilton has been with our unit, he has already recruited 2 troops including the newest member, PV1 Benefiel.
• It is with sadness that we announce the passing of a former member of C Co.  PFC William Yeatts had served with our Battalion approximately 1 - 1 1/2 years ago and was planning on returning as recently as this February after some health issues were resolved.  PFC Yeatts was shot and killed in Danville, VA this past Monday night.  When LT Cole was speaking with PFC Yeatts' step-father, he was told that the best thing that had ever happened in his young life was when he joined the Virginia Defense Force.  The family has requested that an honor guard from the Company participate in the funeral detail.  Please remember his family in thoughts and prayers.  PFC Yeatts was only 26 years old.

• Congratulations to HHC's SGT & Mrs. Aaron Moody on the birth of their newest son, Parker Morgan Moody.  The future 24BN member was born on 13 JAN 2006 at 1425, weighing in at 7 lbs 1oz and measuring 20.5 inches.  The happy father was proudly showing pictures of his new son already clad in fatigues and ready for Force Protection school! Mother and baby are also doing well.
• Special thanks go to the following HHC troops who participated in Governor's Inaugural ceremonies that were held in Williamsburg on 13-14 JAN 2006: SFC Lawson, SGT Efford, CPL Glass, PV1 Miller and LT Lawson.
• A Co personnel were recently requested specifically by the A Co 1/116 Virginia Army National Guard to support Operation Freedom Salute which took place at the Salem Civic Center and was attended by VARNG troops, families, VIPs and other dignitaries.  This ceremony was to recognize and award those VARNG troops who were deployed for 18 months for Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.  A/24 personnel were personally requested by A/116 Cdr CPT Gilligan due to the close working relationship, appearance and professionalism.  CPT Gilligan also stated that if A/24 troops were unable to perform this mission, that other VARNG personnel would be utilized.  During the ceremony, a United States Flag was presented to LT McIver (accepted on behalf of A Co) as a token of appreciation for their support during the 18 month deployment.  Virginia National Guard Team Virginia medals were then personally given to each A/24 troop for their dedication and support during the deployment.  In addition, LT McIver also received a Commander's Coin from Brigadier General Theodore Shuey Jr for outstanding performance during the aforementioned deployment.  She was also invited to contact BG Shuey personally for support that he could provide to accomplish a mission. Congratulations to the following A/24BN personnel for their outstanding effort in support of VARNG: LT McIver, 1SG Doss, SFC Light, SSG Crockett, SSG Gregory, SGT Aldrich, SGT Littlejohn, SGT Schrock and CPL Barbour
• Welcome aboard to the newest member of A Co, PV2 Lee Guliani who will serve as the RTO.
• Welcome aboard to our newest officer, 2LT Patrick Williams. LT Williams will serve as the Bravo Company Platoon Leader.
• Welcome aboard to the newest member of C Co, CPL Laura Lewis. CPL Lewis had previously served in the Aviation Battalion

• The 24th BN held our annual Christmas celebration and Muster Day on 17 DEC 2005. Among our honored guests were VARNG XO MAJ Wentworth, CPT Brooke and SGT Kirschner, 24th District Delegate Ben Cline and several of our Auxiliary members.
• Among the awards handed out were 16 Active Service ribbons given for the deployment of the Lynchburg and Danville National Guard units for disaster relief, 13 Military Commendation Certificate Ribbons and 10 VADF Service Ribbons for assisting with the demobilization of the Bedford National Guard unit from federal duty.
• Congratulations to Alpha Company's SSG Liniel Gregory for winning the 24th BN NCO of the Year for 2005.  SSG Gregory has gone above and beyond the call of service for his work with the Highway Watch program and training all members of the BN to be certified in this program.
• LTC Tweedy noted that the 24th BN has recorded 11,260 volunteer hours (both Community service and non-drill) as a Battalion.  The financial contribution to the Commonwealth for these hours of service ($17.00 per volunteer hour according to the Commonwealth) is the equivalent of $191,420.00.  Our goal is to exceed $250,000 for this new year

• Alpha Company held their first annual Christmas drill on 10 DEC 2005 at Company Headquarters.  This was a time for the spouses to come together and reflect on the past year's accomplishments.  A Co Commander LT Gail McIver addressed the troops and personally thanked each of the spouses for their much appreciated support.  It was noted by LT McIver that without the support of each respective spouse, the soldiers could not do their jobs within the VADF.  LT McIver was then presented with a plaque by the troops of Alpha Company thanking her for the dedication, support and excellent leadership that she has demonstrated this past year as their Commanding Officer.
• Congratulations to SGT Stephen Littlejohn for receiving A Co Soldier of the 4th Quarter.  SGT Littlejohn received this award for taking the initiative in the construction and establishment of a top quality communications center using advanced technology at Alpha Company Headquarters, Bedford VA. 
• Congratulations to SFC Randall Light for receiving A Co Soldier of the Year.  SFC Light consistently goes above and beyond the call of duty whenever his service is requested.  His dedication, senior leadership and support of the 24th BN is an example of a true Senior NCO.
• The 24th BN offers our congratulations to both of these NCOs for their outstanding leadership, dedication and commitment to the mission of the Virginia Defense Force.

• Congratulations to the 24th BN on winning the annual Deadeye Award.  LTC Patrick Tweedy proudly accepted the award from Commanding General MG Tignor at the conclusion of the fall MUTA.  Current members of the BN were then given the Unit Citation to wear on their Class A or B uniforms.  LTC Tweedy thanked all troops for their hard work, efforts and determination for having this honor bestowed upon our Battalion.  Preparations are being made now to ensure a successful defense of the award for next year's MUTA.
•   Congratulations to the following NCO's for their recent promotions:  SGT Aaron Moody, SGT Shane Patrick (both of HHC), SSG Rex Crockett and SSG Liniel Gregory (both of A Co).  All 4 of these troops have demonstrated excellent leadership and proven themselves worthy of their new ranks.
•   Congratulations also to those receiving Officer promotions: 1LT Charles Phillips was appointed as a new Officer and installed as our S-4.  1LT Phillips had been serving in this capacity for the past year and has done an excellent job as the Supply Supervisor.  1LT Gail McIver also was promoted to her current rank at the November drill.  LT McIver serves as the A Co Commander and does an outstanding job.  Alpha Company is consistently having extra training to sharpen their skills and train today's Privates to be tomorrow's NCOs. 
• Our special thanks and appreciation goes to CPL Kenneth White (B Co) for establishing a new mobile supply truck for our BN.  The truck comes installed with storage capacity, shelves and an onboard generator that will serve well during any field deployment. 
• Congratulations to CPL Garland Newton (B Co) for earning the BN Soldier of the Quarter honors for the 3rd quarter.
• In September (just prior to MUTA) the 24BN was called upon to activate both the Lynchburg VARNG unit and the Danville VARNG unit to assist with their respective deployments to the Gulf Coast region.  Both VARNG units have been safely returned home where the 24BN assisted with their demobilization as well. 
• Following the Danville VARNG return, there was a special ceremony held to decommission the 249th Field Artillery unit.  Members of C Co were present for this historic event as were many dignitaries including the Adjutant General. The 249th has been recommissioned and will serve as the Logistics BN for the National Guard throughout the Commonwealth.

    These pictures are taken from the First Responder's Memorial in Appomattox, VA.  The dedication was held on 28 MAY 2006 and features the names of veterans (living and dead) that lived in Appomattox.  It also features the names of Fire, Rescue, EMS, State Police that serve in Appomattox now.  Members of the 24th BN that have served for a minimum of 2 years and participated in Appomattox community service events also have the honor of their individuals names included on the monuments. Stone 7 is pictured below, stone 8 is still being engraved at this time. Those who will have their names listed include: LTC Tweedy, MAJ Lewis, CSM Darbro, LT White, LT Fein, LT Murphy, LT Phillips, SSG Primm, SGT Glass, SFC Lawson, LT Lawson, LT Farley, 1SG Doss, LT McIver, SFC Light, SSG Aldrich, SSG Schrock and SSG Crockett.

    This is an honor and is the first monument of its kind in the country. Order of pictures:  1- SGT Ed Glass pointing out his name on the monument; 2- CSM Herman Darbro; 3,4,5 & 7-the ceremony honoring those who serve; 6- Appomattox Delegate Watkins Abbitt, a proud supporter of the 24th BN speaking with the troops; 8- MAJ Lewis

The 24th in action at Brigade MUTA 2006.