http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/iraq/la-na-boone7nov07,1,5937682.story?coll=la-home-headlinesA Town Gives Until It Hurts
Many in Boone, Iowa, feel that they have sacrificed more than their share to the ongoing campaigns in Iraq and elsewhere.
By P.J. Huffstutter
Times Staff Writer
November 7, 2003
BOONE, Iowa —The yellow ribbons tied around the trees along Mamie Eisenhower Avenue have faded to white, the "Support Our Troops" signs are frayed with age, and all Tamera Dahl sees is a war with no end.
More than a year ago, the town gathered to salute the National Guard troops — hundreds of local men and women — called to duty. In the crowd were two of Dahl's cousins, who ended up in the Middle East.
They left in groups after parades and parties, with promises of returning home before the farmers had finished their harvests. But for some, the yearlong tours have stretched out indefinitely. Others came back for a few months, only to have the military call them back. The rolling hills have already been tilled for winter.
And the deployments continue. Last month, 40 troops were sent off, including Dahl's husband, Sgt. 1st Class Allen Dahl, an Army intelligence specialist. Just this week, another five left, headed overseas.
They are part of the Pentagon's increasing reliance on citizen soldiers for the Middle East and elsewhere, and will soon be joined by the 43,000 reservists and National Guard troops throughout the country who were put on alert this week.
Of the nearly 500 National Guard troops from the dozen units here, only 150 are home. The town feels the absence — it has fewer volunteer firefighters, real estate agents, grocery clerks, baby-sitters and state troopers.
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