Return to Guardlife Homepage
FINANCIERS GET FAMILY-STYLE FAREWELL

By Army Spc. Michael J. Davis 444th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

Staff Sgt. Javier Colquicocha sings the Army Song as families and friends joined the New Jersey National Guard leadership at a farewell ceremony at the National Guard Armory in Flemington, N.J. for more than two dozen Soldiers from the 50th Financial Management Company Jan. 7, 2012. The unit deployed to Kuwait in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and will be performing disbursing operations, commercial vending services, military pay, travel and internal control functions for U.S. armed forces, U.S. government civilians and Department of Defense contractors. (Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Mark C. Olsen/Released)


Within the old cement walls of the Flemington Armory, the auditorium came alive with the warm, familiar sights and sounds of an Army deployment ceremony: A wall-size American flag, the smiling faces of the Family Readiness Group (FRG) volunteers, tearful family and friends, and of course, Soldiers.

Members of the 50th Financial Management Company, who are slated to deploy to Kuwait in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), exuded pride and commitment as they marched across the floor and heard the roar of heartfelt cheers and applause. The feeling could be summed up in one word: family.

"The New Jersey National Guard is my extended family," said Hilary Webekin, wife of Staff Sgt. Richard Webekin, Jr., who is one of the Soldiers deploying with the 50th Financial Management Company. "We watch out for each other."

Webekin is about to embark on his third deployment and his first deployment as a father of five-month-old Richard Webekin, III. He and his wife said that as each deployment presents new obstacles to overcome, their growing support system of family, friends and FRG resources will help get them through.

Brig. Gen. Michael L. Cunniff, The Adjutant General of New Jersey, drilled home the importance of family support, especially during the separation that accompanies a deployment, during his remarks. Cunniff said, "We're all in this together… as a Guard Family." While deployed, the 50th FMC Soldiers will be performing disbursal operations, commercial vending services, military pay, travel and internal control functions for U.S. Armed Forces, U.S. government civilians, Department of Defense contractors, and many others, in support of OEF.

Table of Contents
Volume 35 Number 4 Staff / Information
     
(c) 2013 NJ Department of Military and Veterans Affairs
http://www.nj.gov/military