Mullen Thanks Guardsmen

Department of Defense Photo Essay

  • Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Deborah Mullen are welcomed to Vermont by Senator Patrick Leahy, Congressman Peter Welch and Marchelle Leahy at a deployment ceremony for the 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team of the Vermont National Guard in Burlington, Vt., Jan. 8, 2010. The unit has been ordered to Afghanistan in the largest deployment of Vermont National Guard troops since World War II. DoD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley
  • Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, greets U.S. Army Spc. Dennis Morgan Jr. and Autumn Gustausen during a departure ceremony for Vermont National Guard members in Burlington, Vt., Jan. 8, 2010. Morgan is deploying for a year long tour to Afghanistan as a member of the 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team. DoD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley
  • Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, embraces Katherine Muller of Richmond, Vt., during a deployment ceremony for the 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team of the Vermont National Guard in Burlington, Vt., Jan. 8, 2010. Muller's son, Adam, was killed in Kirkuk, Iraq, by a roadside bomb in 2007. Muller came to see the troops off and thank Mullen for his condolence letter that was sent after Adam was killed. DoD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley
  • Soldiers salute during a deployment ceremony for the 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team of the Vermont National Guard in Burlington, Vt., Jan. 8, 2010. DoD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley
  • Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, attends the deployment ceremony for the 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team of the Vermont National Guard in Burlington, Vt., Jan. 8, 2010. DoD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley
  • Soldiers bow their heads in prayer during a deployment ceremony for the 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team of the Vermont National Guard in Burlington, Vt., Jan. 8, 2010. DoD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley
  • Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, wishes soldiers luck as they depart after a deployment ceremony for the 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team of the Vermont National Guard in Burlington, Vt., Jan. 8, 2010. DoD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley
  • A family member cries while watching the departure of the 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team depart after their deployment ceremony in Burlington, Vt., Jan. 8, 2010. DoD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley
  • Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, speaks to the media at a deployment ceremony for the 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team of the Vermont National Guard in Burlington, Vt., Jan. 8, 2010. DoD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley
  • A young boy watches soldiers of the 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team depart after their deployment ceremony in Burlington, Vt., Jan. 8, 2010. DoD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley