Wisconsin bids farewell to 32nd IBCT Guardsmen

[unhappycamper]

Wisconsin bids farewell to 32nd IBCT Guardsmen
By Todd Richmond - The Associated Press
Posted : Tuesday Feb 17, 2009 21:06:28 EST

MADISON, Wis. — 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.


Rest of article at: http://armytimes.com/news/2009/02/ap_wisconsin_guardsmen_021709/%2e