Operation 'Support' Downrange Published Dec. 7, 2010 By 1st Lt. Kevin Skindell 174th Infantry Brigade Public Affairs JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- The 174th Infantry Brigade in conjunction with Army Support Activity conducted a farewell and retreat ceremony, honoring deploying servicemembers at Wurman Hall Nov. 22. The military was joined by several local community leaders showing their organizations' support for 'Operation Downrange.' Operation Downrange is a 174th Infantry Brigade community relations initiative, partnering mobilized units and detachments training here with civilian organizations in the surrounding Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst community. Enduring Training Mobilization Center Dix is First Army's busiest mobilization platform in the country. Here, First Army trains more joint-service mission sets in support of ongoing contingency operations in Iraq, Afghanistan and the Horn of Africa than anywhere else. Operation Downrange is twofold. First, designed to extend local community support to those continuing to answer the nation's call 'downrange;' and secondly, to share the personal stories from the front lines with the people back home. "When they move out, the whole community moves out," expressed Maj. Gen. Mick Bednarek, commander, First Army Division East, when addressing Soldiers about the importance of community relations Nov. 19 at Fort George G. Meade. "Relationships keep us connected." Nothing rings truer, especially around the holidays. "It is appropriate that we kick off 'Operation Downrange' during the month of November, for it is the month we celebrate the sacrifices of veterans and their families, as well as give Thanksgiving for all the blessings we enjoy in this free country," said Col. Patrick Slowey, commander, ASA during the Retreat ceremony held here on post Nov. 22. Fostering a pen-pal relationship between the community partners and deployed servicemembers is one way to keep Americans abreast of what the men and women in uniform are experiencing overseas as well as remind the troops of what's happening back home. The program officially kicked off in front of the ASA post flag 30 minutes before the sounding of retreat. The combination of ranks of uniformed troops coupled with the sound of the evening retreat constitutes one of the most inspiring of U.S. military traditions. Approximately 200 service members -Army, Navy and Air Force personnel, stood in formation before rows of community partner volunteers. Community partner, and co-founder of Adopt-A-Soldier Platoon, Alan Krutchkoff spoke on behalf of the community supporters. "We all care about you - we all support you and love you. I wish you a safe and healthy and successful deployment," said Krutchkoff, who recently returned from Afghanistan visiting the troops with EA Sports and the Washington Redskins cheerleaders. "I hope you all come back safe and sound and have nothing but good stories to share while you're there. May God bless you." At 5 p.m., in accordance with Army regulation, the American flag was lowered as "to the colors" sounded. The flag was folded and secured by eight 174th Infantry Brigade Soldiers and the formal portion of the ceremony concluded. As the servicemember formations headed to evening chow, mobilized troop leaders and community partners stayed behind to exchange contact information, pair up and share in coffee and cake. "Everyone enjoyed the ceremony very much," said Nancy Devito, president of the Point Pleasant Elks Club . "It was very well done, very professional - we are looking forward to supporting several upcoming December events scheduled here for the troops." The program is slated to continue indefinitely. For more information on how to become involved with Operation Downrange, either as a community partner or deploying unit, contact the 174th Infantry Brigade Public Affairs office at 562-2834.