In Worcester, a special sendoff for National Guard unit on its way to Middle East

WORCESTER — Soldiers of the 1st Battalion, 181st Infantry Regiment, Massachusetts Army National Guard, had a royal sendoff Tuesday morning at the DCU Center.

In a sea of camouflage, the soldiers proudly walked into the convention center in four waves of company including two from Worcester and one from Gardner. All well-trained and in step with each other, the soldiers are soon deploying to the Middle East in support of Combined Joint Task Force — Operation Inherent Resolve.

After the formal ceremony, the convention center transformed into a celebration, with plenty of photo ops filled with warm hugs, proud smiles and loving tears.

Maj. Douglas K. Patterson of Hudson, who marched into the hall in front, was swarmed by an enthusiastic mob of close friends and family.

Patterson — who is executive officer of the 181st command team and preparing for his third deployment — said he’s happy to be with family now before flying off on his “business trip,” as he put it.

“We’re packed up and ready to go,” Patterson said. “In the last couple of years, we put a lot into training. So we are ready. We are prepared. We’re very proud of the battalion. We’re very proud of the soldiers.”

Getting ready for his first deployment, Sgt. Hennessy Lebron of Deerfield was smothered by his aunt, Frances Salinas of Worcester, who gave the soldier a tight hug.

“I’m just glad to be here and glad to see my family,” Lebron said. “I haven’t seen them for, like, forever.”

“I’m very proud of him,” Salinas added. “I haven’t seen him for a while. So it’s pretty emotional. But I’m glad that I got to see him before he takes off.”

Before the proceeding broke into a cavalcade of mini-family reunions, several officers and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll shared their thoughts on the special occasion.

First Lt. John Daley, who served as the program’s moderator, gave an overview of the 181st Infantry Regiment’s rich history, starting with the General Court of the Massachusetts Bay Colony authorizing three regiments of militia to defend the homes and towns along the frontier in Massachusetts Oct. 7, 1636, and continuing with “countless” domestic operations and overseas missions up to modern day.

“Our regiment was present at Concord, Lexington and Boston," Daley said. "It was there when the ‘shot heard ‘round the world’ was fired, marking the beginning of the American Revolution. Following the American Revolution, the regiment was redesigned several times and served during The War of 1812, The Civil War, the War with Spain and World War I.

“The unit became known as the 181st Infantry on Nov. 20, 1921, and assigned to the 26th ‘Yankee’ Division during World War II as part of the 26^th Infantry fighting across the European Theater in Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes, Central Europe and the Army occupation in Austria.”

Maj. Gen. Gary W. Keefe, the 43rd adjutant general of the Massachusetts National Guard, addressed the sacrifices that the soldiers are making by serving their country.

“Less than half of a percentage point our total population serves in the Armed Forces,” he said. “When I was commissioned a lieutenant in 1986, 15% of Americans served in the military. Right now, our military is smaller than it has ever been in modern times.”

Driscoll said the people of the state are thankful for the unit's service, while referencing that the first three regiments of militia, in which the 181st originated, held their first muster in her hometown of Salem.

“You represent our state in a way that no one else can, in a way that proceeds our nation’s founding,” Driscoll said. “Every day, you unite us. You inspire us. … Come home safe.”

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Sendoff in Worcester for historic Mass. National Guard unit