Tradition and history

On Jan. 6, in a moving ceremony in Waterville, I was privileged to attend the deactivation ceremony of A Battery, 1st Battalion, 152nd Field Artillery of the Maine Army National Guard. The deactivation was the first of five. The 152nd has been a part of the Maine Guard for many years.

The other batteries of the 152nd will one by one surrender their guidons in the solemn traditions of all Army unit deactivations. Unfortunately, when a Guard unit is deactivated it is never reactivated.

The deactivation of the 152nd is bittersweet. Throughout its life, the 152nd has been an important part of the nation’s military from its activation in 1921 through World War II, Korea, Vietnam and through the Cold War years.

As citizen soldiers, members of the 152nd provided support to Maine during natural disasters such as the ice storm, flooding, and most memorably, delivering hay to distressed dairy farmers in central Maine. Most recently, soldiers of the 152nd deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq, not as artillerymen but as soldiers intent on seeing the mission through, whatever the call.

As the traditions of this unit are encased with each guidon and then at the final casing of the Battalion colors, the loss will most definitely be very sad, and yes, bitter.

This started a military tradition dates back to the beginning of the United States Field Artillery. The Right of the Line. As each battery deactivates, history of the battery will be cited as part of this important military tradition. The Right of the Line of the 152nd is long, noble and important, for the many members who served together and are serving in the Battalion today.

Retired Col.Fred E. Umphrey

Caribou