By Larry Coonrod, Lebanon Express writer | Posted: Wednesday, June 6, 2007 12:00 am
Nearly 2,000 family, friends and supporters, including Gov. Ted Kulongoski, turned out for the deployment ceremony of the National Guard's Albany-based 224 Engineer Company on Sunday. The ceremony was held at the Linn County Fairgrounds Exhibit Hall.
The unit, formerly known as Bravo Company 52 Engineers, is readying for its second deployment to Iraq since 2003.
Before addressing the assembled crowd, Gov. Kulongoski asked for a moment of silence in honor of Specialist Nathan W. Nakis who died near Mosul, Iraq, on Dec. 16, 2003, on the troop's first deployment. Nakis was the first Oregon Guard member to die in Iraq.
Standing before the crowd, Kulongoski evoked Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address, saying, “Nothing I say can measure up to your courage and selflessness. You represent the best Oregon has to offer." He then promised the soldiers that he would do everything he could to take care of their families while they were gone.
Spc. Andrew McCready, 28, is one of five Lebanon area soldiers assigned to the 224 Engineers. When he deployed to Iraq in 2003 with Bravo Company, 52 Engineer Company, Iraqis greeted him and his fellow soldiers as liberators.
“Grown men were coming up and hugging us and weeping; they were so thankful to be rid of Saddam," McCready said.
He's not expecting such a warm welcome on this tour. He said even though he'd rather not be going that he isn't too worried. “I like being a soldier and we have great leadership and friends you know you can count on," he said. McCready is the son of David and Lalona McCready, also of Lebanon.
News that his unit would be headed to a combat zone prompted a big change for Spc. Jake Fortune, 24, of Lebanon. On Friday, June 1, Fortune married Lindsay Irwin, his girlfriend of three years. “I'm a little nervous but excited to see a different country," said Fortune, who joined the National Guard three years ago, saying 9/11 was the deciding factor.
Lindsay Fortune is not quite as enthusiastic as her husband about his upcoming Iraq tour. “I'm a little nervous, little worried; I know he's tough and he'll be back," she said.
Dental problems kept Spc. Gary J. Pfleider II, 30, of Lebanon from deploying with the engineers in 2003. This time he says, “ I find it a great honor to be going with them." Pfleider and his fiancee, Merrie Pichette, 24, are planning their nuptials for August 2008, shortly after the 224 Engineers are scheduled to return from Iraq.
Low public support for the war and protesters don't bother him, Pfleider said. “I know why I put this uniform on every day."
Pfc. Peter Croco, 41, of Lebanon, knew the chance of going to Iraq was high when he joined the National Guard a year ago. “I'm happy to have the opportunity to serve my country; I think we're doing a lot of good over there," he said. Croco credits his wife Deborah and their four children - Matthew, Abigail, Annabelle and Katie - for being supportive. “They made it easy to join," he said.
Whatever public opinion of the war might be, support for the troops was overwhelming at Sunday's ceremony. Employees from Mo's Restaurants on the Oregon coast provided free clam chowder and shrimp cocktails. Mo's began providing free meals at National Guard deployment ceremonies last February when 900 members of the 41st Brigade departed for Afghanistan.
“When they approached us about doing that one, I told them it might be too big, about 4,000 people, and they said 'bring it on,'" said Kay Fristad, public affairs officer for the Oregon National Guard.
Mo's General Manager Peggy Preisz said that her company really wanted to do something to support the troops and their families. It's truly from the heart," she said. Mo's has provided free chowder at several deployment ceremonies and plans to serve every armed forces veteran who attends the Oregon State Fair a free meal.