Oregon Soldiers Mobilize for Duty in Iraq

Twenty-two soldiers are in this group that is deploying to Iraq for one year in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Members of the 115th Mobile Public Affairs assemble for a final formation at the Anderson Readiness Center in Salem, Ore. May 23, before deploying. The unit will deploy to Iraq for one year in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Members of the MPAD will spend two months training at Fort Dix, NJ before heading to the Middle East. Oregon National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Nick Choy, Oregon National Guard Public Affairs.

(SALEM, Ore.) - The Oregon Army National Guard's 115th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment was honored during a deployment ceremony today at the Anderson Readiness Center in Salem. Hundreds attended the special event including family members, fellow Oregon Guard soldiers, and a number of dignitaries including Oregon's Governor.

Each time the Oregon military either deploys or returns from an assignment overseas, special ceremonies are held to honor the sacrifice of these citizen soldiers who leave their normal lives behind, often for eighteen months or more at a time, to answer the call of duty.

During the Vietnam War, the national guard was typically a division of the military service that for the most part, did not deploy to war. It was a place where people could serve without having to be sent into combat. But the Oregon National Guard has for several years now, continually deployed troops to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and many have been killed or severely injured.

Oregon Governor Theodore R. Kulongoski who served in the United States Marine Corps, has been diligent in attending not only these deployment and return ceremonies, but also a good number of funerals and memorials for Oregon servicemembers. He also visited Oregon soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan last winter.

The Governor's remarks were accompanied by words from Oregon Guard Maj. Gen. Raymond Reese and others who had a message to share with the soldiers deploying to war and their families.

Twenty-two soldiers are in this group that is deploying to Iraq for one year in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The unit will train at Fort Dix, NJ prior to leaving for the Middle East.

Maj. Don Troxell, commander of the 115th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment, passes the unit guidon to Oregon Governor Theodore R. Kulongoski during the unit's mobilization ceremony May 23, 2007, in Salem, Ore. The 115th MPAD will deploy to Iraq for one year in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Members of the MPAD will spend two months training at Fort Dix, NJ before heading to the Middle East. Photo by Tech. Sgt. Nick Choy, Oregon National Guard Public Affairs.

The 22 soldiers mobilizing include:

Portland:

Pfc. John Crosby

Pvt. Nicolas Moler

Staff Sgt. Michael Gholston

Hillsboro:

Pvt. Loruhama Lopez

Pvt. Matthew Mikolas

West Linn:

Spc. Jason Van Mourik

Spc. Stephanie Bacon

Bend:

Maj. Don Troxell

Sgt. Margaret Nelson

Medford:

Spc. Anna Judd

Pvt. Kirby Rider

Oregon Governor Theodore R. Kulongoski, Maj. Gen. Raymond F. Rees, The Adjutant General, Oregon National Guard, Brig. Gen. Charles Yriarte, Commander, 82 Brigade, Oregon Army National Guard and Lt. Col. Donald Rolf, Commander, 821 Special Troops Battalion, Oregon Army National Guard, salute the U.S. flag during a mobilization ceremony May 23rd, for the Oregon Army National Guard's 115th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment. The unit will deploy to Iraq for one year in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Members of the MPAD will spend two months training at Fort Dix, NJ before heading to the Middle East. Photo by Tech. Sgt. Nick Choy, Oregon National Guard Public Affairs.

Other Oregon cities

Lt. Stephen Bomar of Keizer

Staff Sgt. Russell Bassett of Molalla

Staff Sgt. Timothy Lumpkin of Milwaukie

Sgt. Kevin Hartman of Eugene

Spc. Elizabeth Conley of Springfield

Spc. Patrick Lair of Sweet Home

Spc. Eric Rutherford of Turner

Out of state servicemembers deploying as part of the Oregon National Guard:

Spc. Catie Beck of Pella, Iowa

Lt. Richard Ybarra of Vancouver, Wash.

Sgt. 1st Class Michael Cummings of Kuna, Iaho.

Capt. Edward Vance of Sacramento, Calif.