A detachment of the Danbury-based 411th Civil Affairs Battalion has been mobilized for year long deployment to Africa. A send off ceremony was held yesterday at the Veterans Memorial Armed Forces Reserve Center in Danbury.
Officials commended the battalion for supporting ongoing military operations and wished the deploying soldiers well in their mission. Major Tom Saadi led the ceremony for family members and area veterans.
The Danbury fire Department displayed a large American flag in support of the soldiers. Cadets of the 399th Composite Civil Air Patrol Squadron provided logistical support for the ceremony. Following the ceremony the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 149 in Danbury hosted a lunch for the deploying soldiers and their families.
Remarks were delivered by Brigadier General Robert Cooley, Commander of the 353rd Civil Affairs Command and Colonel Jeffrey Farris, Commander of the 304th Civil Affairs Brigade.
Lieutenant Colonel Cecil Piazza, 411th Civil Affairs Battalion Commander, who also commands the deploying company, addressed the formation and extolled the virtues of family support of the deploying soldiers and the support of the broader family of the 411th who are there for their fellow soldiers and their families.
