Godspeed to friends and neighbors.

[Kathy]

While the troops in Iraq have alway been in my thoughts, it is now getting personal as my friends, neighbors and former school mates have been called up...

Local National Guard Soldiers Called To Active Duty

BY JEANNE MILES, Staff Writer
Saturday October 30, 2004

LYNDONVILLE VERMONT
Between 20 and 25 National Guard soldiers from the 86th Brigade based at the Lyndonville Armory have been called up for active duty.

They will be part of a total of 600 soldiers being deployed, most of whom are from the 2nd Battalion, 172nd Regiment from the southern part of the state.

In making the announcement, Maj. Gen. Martha T. Rainville, Vermont's adjutant general, said the troops will be part of a security force mission in the Central Command in the Middle East. Specific destinations were not released, but public relations offer Lt. Veronica Saffo stressed Wednesday that none of the soldiers would be going to Iraq.

The soldiers will leave for Fort Dix, N.J., in the middle of November for training before heading overseas. The mission, expected to last up to 18 months, includes training in this country and processing after the mission is complete.

"The policy of 'one year boots on the ground' is still in effect," according to the release.

The 86th Brigade was alerted in August for a possible mission in support of Operations Noble Eagle, Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. This alert was later extended to Dec. 9. Other soldiers in the brigade remain on alert, including Caledonia County Sheriff's Department deputies Steve Gadapee and Al Moreau.

"We haven't received any notice yet," Gadapee said Wednesday.

In a press release, Rainville asked the families and employees of these soldiers to be patient as there is a possibility that other units in the brigade may ultimately be mobilized.

There are already about 850 Vermont Army National Guard soldiers on active duty.

With this newest call-up, an additional 130 soldiers will be deployed, it was announced Friday. This will make 26 percent on active duty of the total Vermont National Guard troops.

"This percent is still low when compared with the other states," Rainville stated.

© The Caledonian-Record News 1997-2004

[KristenS]

Kathy,

While not a Vermonter, we've vacationed there enough over the past 20 odd years to get a feeling and affection for the Green Mountain state. The Vermont National Guard is truly America at it's best and, in the spirit of Ethan Allen, epitomizes the citizen soldier. I remember in the immediate post 9/11 days seeing photos of the Vermont Air National Guard flying cover over Manhattan and thinking "the Green Mountain Boys-and now gals have taken wing". I'll keep the units from "The Kingdom" in thought and prayer

[Lorna]

Hi Kathy,

Our thoughts & prayers are with your friends & colleagues. Let's hope they have a quick and safe return.