Posted on 02/17/2009 5:15:42 PM PST by Diana in Wisconsin
MADISON, WI - Wisconsin said goodbye Tuesday to hundreds of part-time soldiers bound for Iraq in the largest deployment of Wisconsin National Guard forces since World War II.
About 3,200 or so members of the 32nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team and six other Army National Guard units marched onto the floor of the Veterans Memorial Coliseum for a send-off ceremony, creating a sea of camouflage and buzz cuts. About 5,000 family and friends looked on from the stands, holding signs, whooping and calling out their loved ones' names.
Lawmakers from around the state, including Gov. Jim Doyle and U.S. Sens. Herb Kohl and Russ Feingold, and military commanders thanked the troops and their families for their courage and sacrifice.
"I appreciate what you do, each and every family," said Col. Steven J. Bensend, the brigade's commander. "We have a long year ahead of us. I pledge to you ... I will do everything in my power to bring you back."
The Wisconsin National Guard announced in September that 3,500 soldiers from the 32nd and the other units will head to Iraq for a 10-month tour. That number shrunk to 3,200 as commanders reassessed personnel needs, said Maj. Jackie Guthrie, a spokeswoman for the Wisconsin National Guard.
Mercedez Jimenez, 14, brought a sign reading "Hurry Home Grampa Flores I'll Miss You" to see off her grandfather, Juan Flores, 54 of Madison. He also served in Desert Storm and Kuwait.
Flores' wife, Amy, 51 of Madison, said she'll try to stay in touch with him through a new Web camera and lean on family during Sunday dinners. She said this deployment is a little easier now that fighting in Iraq seems to have faded.
"I think it's historic," she said. "They may be the last group there."
The brigade is descended from the 32nd "Red Arrow" Division, an infantry outfit of Wisconsin and Michigan guardsmen who fought in World War I. Today, it includes units from 36 Wisconsin communities and several dozen soldiers from Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota and Michigan.
Many in the brigade already have served in Iraq.
Kathy Mattison, 46, of Madison, said her husband, 41-year-old Charles Mattison, will be making his second trip to Iraq. They had a nice Valentine's Day dinner, she said, and "this morning, he actually said I made him better than he was. I will remember that."
Karla Lemak, 38, of Monroe, watched from the coliseum's top rows with her 5-year-old daughter, Kenedy. She said her husband, 43-year-old Lucian Lemak, was making his second visit to Iraq as well.
"My 5-year-old doesn't really understand why Daddy has to go away," she said. "I try not to be scared."
A contingent from the University of Wisconsin-Madison marching band lightened the mood a bit, marching into the coliseum playing "On Wisconsin." They followed that up with "The Chicken Dance" and "You've Said It All," a rendition of a beer jingle that replaces the word "Budweiser" with "Wisconsin."
Soldiers were allowed to rejoin their families afterward. Outside the coliseum, 19-year-old Amanda Guenterberg, a radio repair specialist from Slinger, huddled with her mother against the February chill. She graduated from high school last year and will be making her first trip to Iraq.
"I'm a little nervous," she said. "I hope I have a good experience. I hope to have a lot of fun."
James Gill, a 21-year-old infantryman from Marinette, said he'll have to leave behind his 17-month-old daughter, Katharina. But he knew what he was getting into when he joined the Guard two years ago, he said.
"It'll be rough, but I got to do what I got to do," he said. "I signed up for it."
Groups of 400 to 600 soldiers will start reporting to Fort Bliss in Texas over the next 10 days to finish training before heading overseas.
Bring the Guard Home - It's the Law, a national campaign to bring National Guard forces back to the United States, issued a statement Tuesday questioning whether the 32nd's deployment is legal. The campaign maintains further engagement in Iraq exceeds the original congressional authorization to invade, which was based on eliminating weapons of mass destruction and United Nations resolution violations.
State Rep. Spencer Black, D-Madison, said he's drafting legislation that would allow Wisconsin's governor to review federal Guard call-ups and challenge them in federal court if they appear unlawful.
Doyle is a Democrat. His spokesman, Lee Sensenbrenner, had no immediate comment.
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A young woman who used to work for me is also going. Leaving her teen daughter and husband behind. Fay Nault. Please pray for her, too.
You can pray for Spencer Black, too. (Your choice, LOL!)
Prayer Ping, Please! I have friends leaving for Iraq today. (Pray for THEM, not for me.)
Prayers for all our troops.
Why are they shipping out large numbers of National Guard?
Why now?
Prayers for all of our heros, Diana...
The Red Bulls are deploying from MN.
I have some personal ties to many of them, as well...
WHOA!!!!!!!
I thought that all the wars were going to be over a couple of weeks ago....
What’s Up With That??
;-)
We’re relieving the troops that are already there and playing clean-up. The 32d Bde has it all, “Bullets, Beans and Gasoline.” :)
It’s comprised of everything a new country could use; medical assistance, food service, engineers, firepower, mechanics, transportation, water purification...you name it.
They’ve been in the loop for a number of years, now. It’s their turn. Other state NG, ANG and Reserves have also rotated through.
My cousin had SIX tours in Iraq and Kuwait with the Wisconsin Air National Guard; he was a Load Master on some of their larger jets, ferrying troops and equipment.
No chit.
I’ll bet the Lefty Wing Nuts are pretty p*ssed about 0bama’s sending 17,000 troops to Afghanistan, too. He signed the paperwork today, I believe. *SMIRK*
Bet we don’t hear ONE PEEP from them via the MSM who is covering his arse. No criticism allowed for ‘Spiffy’ and his choices! *SPIT*
Thanks, Bud. :)
My prayers go with them.
I hate Bud. Prefer Weizen.
But I am cheap...
Thanks for ‘splainin’ Diana. God bless them!
Thanks to the troops from Wisconsin Diana.
Ping to the Canteen crew.
Got it.We will be praying Diana in Wisconsin.((((((Hugs)))))
We were at the send-off. Absolutely an inspiring sight to see all those guys & gals together under the same roof. The speeches were kept fairly brief, and the Wisconsin marching band provided a nice touch at the end.
Most touching to me were the Vietnam-era vets holding large flags, lining the outside walkway as you entered and left the building.
“Most touching to me were the Vietnam-era vets holding large flags, lining the outside walkway as you entered and left the building.”
Many of my friends from my Army days are (retired) Vietnam Vets. The ones that were able to keep their wits about them are the best guys in the world, IMHO. :)
Thanks! That was great. :)
Because of troops ready and able to go, youngsters such as my son in Afghanistan will cycle back from a 15 month deployment.
Thank all of yours for their service.
Glad to hear it! Prayers up for you and your son. :)
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