[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 137 (Friday, August 18, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1137-E1138]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      HONORING THE 88TH REGIONAL SUPPORT COMMAND 100TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. RON KIND

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, August 18, 2017

  Mr. KIND. Mr. Speaker, I honor the 100th Anniversary of the 88th 
Regional Support Command (RSC) celebrated at Fort McCoy on Saturday 
August 19, 2017.
   The 88th RSC has a proud and storied history whose lineage and 
honors transferred from the 88th Infantry Division (ID). The streamers 
earned by the 88th ID in World War I and II are now flown with the 88th 
RSC flag. The 88th ID was organized on 25 August 1917, at Camp Dodge, 
IA. During World War I, the men of the ``Cloverleaf Division", as they 
were called, earned a streamer for the Alsace Campaign. The Division 
returned to Camp Dodge and was demobilized on 10 June 1919.
   On 24 June 1921, the 88th ID was reconstituted in the Organized 
Reserve with its headquarters in Minneapolis, MN, and with subordinate 
units in Minnesota, Iowa and North Dakota. After reorganization in 
February 1942, the 88th ID was ordered to active service on 15 July 
1942, at Camp Gruber, OK. After training in several locations in the 
United States and overseas, the 88th ID entered the front line on 27 
February 1944 in the Italian Campaign. For its service in Italy, the 
88th ID was awarded campaign streamers for the Rome-Arno, North 
Apennines, and Po Valley Campaigns. The 88th ID earned a reputation as 
a well-trained and effective division, earning the nickname ``Blue 
Devils'' from the Germans. The 88th ID was inactivated at Leghorn, 
Italy on October 24, 1947.
   On 26 December 1967, the 88th Army Reserve Command (ARCOM) was 
activated in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and had Command of USAR units in 
North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Minnesota, and Iowa. The 88th 
ARCOM sent units to the Republic of Vietnam (1968-1969), Desert Shield/
Storm (1990-1991), and Bosnia-Herzegovina in the former country of 
Yugoslavia (1995).
   On 16 April 1996, the 88th ARCOM was redesignated and reorganized as 
the 8th RSC with Command of USAR units in Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, 
Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota. The 88th RSC mobilized units for 
Bosnia and Kosovo, Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Iraqi Freedom 
(OIF). On 16 July 2003, the 88th RSC was redesignated as the 88th 
Regional Readiness Command (RRC), and was inactivated 1 July 2009. The 
88th RSC was activated 17 September 2008, and today supports USAR units 
in 19 states from Ohio to Washington.
   I am honored that the 88th RSC is headquartered in my congressional 
district. I

[[Page E1138]]

commend and thank the command leadership and staff for the service and 
support they provide to ensure that the Army Reserve remains a shining 
star in the nation's military training infrastructure.
   On behalf of my constituents in Wisconsin and a grateful nation, I 
would like to wish a happy 100th anniversary to the command leadership 
and staff at the 88th RSC.

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