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Oregon sees largest troop deployment in decades
Monday, February 06, 2006 | No comments posted.
SALEM (AP) - The largest overseas deployment of the Oregon National Guard since World War II is under way after family and friends bid farewell to soldiers on their way to Afghanistan.
Gov. Ted Kulongoski was among the state leaders on hand Saturday at a ceremony at the Oregon State Fairgrounds to send off the troops.
“Your service embodies the best of Oregon, and brings honor to each and every one of us who call ourselves Oregonians,” Kulongoski said.
The Democratic governor, who is a former Marine, said such ceremonies fill him with mixed emotions - both pride and concern.
“While you're covering the backs of your fellow soldiers in Afghanistan, we will cover your backs here at home,” he said.
About 900 soldiers from the Oregon Army National Guard will go to Afghanistan in early June after three months of training at Camp Shelby, Miss. Their primary mission is to train the Afghan army so it can take the lead in stabilizing the war-torn country.
Kulongoski praised the 41st Brigade Combat Team for its readiness.
“None of us will deny that you are undertaking a very dangerous mission. But I take heart in knowing that no group of young men and women are better prepared to take on those challenges than the 41st Brigade,” the governor said.
U.S. Reps. Darlene Hooley and Peter DeFazio, both Democrats, also attended the fairgrounds ceremony.
DeFazio said that training the Afghan army “will be absolutely critical to completing the war on terror.”
He called the Taliban government that harbored al-Qaida terrorists “the heart of darkness.”
National Guard soldiers said that they were ready for the task at hand, but admitted the time spent away from their families would be difficult.
“We're looking forward to getting back and helping the people,” said Maj. Robert Fraser, a Salem resident who will be doing his second deployment in Afghanistan. He will be coordinating civil and military efforts for humanitarian-aid projects, such as building schools and getting medical care to remote villages.
Maj. Mike Derrickson, a full-time Guard soldier from McMinnville, has been to Afghanistan once before. He said he was surprised at the friendliness of the Afghan people. Most want the assistance from the United States.
“We have a job to do, and we're going to go out and do it,” he said.
Gov. Ted Kulongoski was among the state leaders on hand Saturday at a ceremony at the Oregon State Fairgrounds to send off the troops.
“Your service embodies the best of Oregon, and brings honor to each and every one of us who call ourselves Oregonians,” Kulongoski said.
The Democratic governor, who is a former Marine, said such ceremonies fill him with mixed emotions - both pride and concern.
“While you're covering the backs of your fellow soldiers in Afghanistan, we will cover your backs here at home,” he said.
About 900 soldiers from the Oregon Army National Guard will go to Afghanistan in early June after three months of training at Camp Shelby, Miss. Their primary mission is to train the Afghan army so it can take the lead in stabilizing the war-torn country.
Kulongoski praised the 41st Brigade Combat Team for its readiness.
“None of us will deny that you are undertaking a very dangerous mission. But I take heart in knowing that no group of young men and women are better prepared to take on those challenges than the 41st Brigade,” the governor said.
U.S. Reps. Darlene Hooley and Peter DeFazio, both Democrats, also attended the fairgrounds ceremony.
DeFazio said that training the Afghan army “will be absolutely critical to completing the war on terror.”
He called the Taliban government that harbored al-Qaida terrorists “the heart of darkness.”
National Guard soldiers said that they were ready for the task at hand, but admitted the time spent away from their families would be difficult.
“We're looking forward to getting back and helping the people,” said Maj. Robert Fraser, a Salem resident who will be doing his second deployment in Afghanistan. He will be coordinating civil and military efforts for humanitarian-aid projects, such as building schools and getting medical care to remote villages.
Maj. Mike Derrickson, a full-time Guard soldier from McMinnville, has been to Afghanistan once before. He said he was surprised at the friendliness of the Afghan people. Most want the assistance from the United States.
“We have a job to do, and we're going to go out and do it,” he said.
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