Web Posted: 9/3/2004 4:25:36 PM
Contact: Lt. Col. Tim Donovan
608-242-3050
MEDIA ADVISORY
Military and civilian officials representing Oak Creek, Milwaukee County, and the State of Wisconsin will take part in a send-off ceremony for 80 soldiers of Battery B, 1st Battalion, 126th Field Artillery, Tuesday morning [Sept. 7] at the Oak Creek armory.
Lt. Gov. Barbara Lawton will lead senior Wisconsin Army National Guard officials including Maj. Gen. Al Wilkening, the adjutant general of Wisconsin. Other participants include Brig. Gen. Kerry Denson, commander of the 7,700 member Army National Guard of Wisconsin and Capt. Craig Van Kirk, commander of Battery B. Local officials have also been invited to participate, as well as state legislators and members of the Wisconsin Congressional delegation. Music will be provided by the Wisconsin National Guard’s 132nd Army Band.
The 80-member unit was mobilized Sept. 4 and will depart Oak Creek for Fort Hood, Texas, Tuesday afternoon. The soldiers will train at Fort Hood before eventually deploying overseas in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
The send-off ceremony is scheduled to run from 10:00 to about 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at the National Guard armory, 8520 S. Howell Ave., Oak Creek.
Eric and his National Guard Field
Art'y unit based in Oak Creek , Wisconsin, were called up in mid-August,
left for Ft Hood, TX, early September, Kuwait for awhile, and then on to
Baghdad, where they are now stationed at Camp Victory North,
Scott
The 1st Battalion, 126th Field Artillery fielded the high-tech M-109A6 Paladin 155mm self-propelled howitzer, with its automated ammo tender, the Field Artillery Ammunition Support Vehicle. Wisconsin's protection from terrorists moved up a notch when the 54th Military Support Detachment stood up on June 1, 1999. The new 22-member unit will respond rapidly to aid in consequence management when there is an incident involving chemical or biological weapons.
Serving with honor in Iraq 2004-2005 For God and Country
