Thousands gather for largest National Guard sendoff since WWII

[undeterred]

Madison - The floor of the Alliant Energy Center was filled with row upon row of uniformed soldiers this afternoon as families, dignitaries and two bands gathered for a sendoff for the 32nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team in the largest overseas deployment for the Wisconsin National Guard since World War II.

The 3,200 soldiers will leave in stages beginning this week for training at Fort Bliss, Texas, before deploying to Iraq for an expected one-year mobilization.

Gov. Jim Doyle told the soldiers "we have the finest citizen militia anywhere in the world here in Wisconsin" and presented a state flag to the commander of the unit, Col. Steven Bensend.

Because of the size of the unit, soldiers could get only a couple tickets for family members to attend the ceremony, which was not open to the public.

Many of the units within the 32nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team as well as other Wisconsin Army National Guard units deploying in the mobilization have already served in Iraq or Afghanistan. A total of 46 Wisconsin communities are sending their local guard units.

"I know taking 100-plus soldiers from a community will put a strain on that community," Bensend told the crowd. "Each and every one of us wants to get our soldiers back to their communities … just as soon as we can."

Families and friends waved small U.S. flags and snapped photos while trying to find their loved one among the thousands of uniformed soldiers.

"It's like looking for a needle in a haystack," said Tom Slaten of Milton, as he scanned the crowd of military haircuts looking for his son, Pfc. Tom Slaten, a member of Fort Atkinson-based Troop A, 1st Squadron, 105th Cavalry.

Slaten said he was "proud, overwhelmed, emotional" at the thought of his son leaving for Iraq and admitted "I'll be x-ing the days off the calendar until he comes back."

Among those attending the sendoff were four congressmen, both of Wisconsin's senators, military officials, numerous legislators and the University of Wisconsin-Madison marching band.

Two World War II veterans who served in the 32nd Red Arrow Division when it was last called to overseas combat duty - Sgt. Pete Smoczyk and Col. Tommy Makal - marched out with the brigade combat team flag while the 132nd Army Band played the unit's song. Smoczyk's granddaughter, Spec. Marissa Hendriks, is deploying to Iraq with the unit.

Even though roughly half of the Wisconsin Army National Guard is heading overseas for this deployment, National Guard spokesman Maj. Jackie Guthrie said there are enough soldiers and airmen remaining in the state to handle any emergencies.

http://www.jsonline.com/news/wisconsin/39737282.html

If the fact that Wisconsin National Guard troops are still being deployed to Iraq disturbs you, ask your State representatives to join with Assemblyman Spencer Black in creating legislation to De-Federalize the National Guard:

http://www.dailycardinal.com/article/22147