Salute to Troops

The Daily Nonpareil

Friday, July 23 2010

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SALUTE TO TROOPS

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The Daily Nonpareil

Send-off ceremony planned for deploying soldiers TIM ROHWER Staff Writer timothy.rohwer@nonpareilonline.com (712) 325-5752

The men and women of the Iowa Army National Guard based in Council Bluffs deserve a special send-off for their upcoming service in Afghanistan, according to Council Bluffs Mayor Tom Hanafan.

Plans are in the works to do just that, he said.

The public is encouraged to attend a send-off ceremony to show support for the about 215

soldiers, who will leave for a one-year deployment. The sendoff will be Sunday, Aug. 1, at 10 a.m. at the Mid-America Center, 1 Arena Way. Though not yet finalized, the conclusion of the ceremony might involve escorting the soldiers on buses through the city to allow as many residents as possible to come out and salute the troops, Hanafan said.

“People in the community could stand along the route and say goodbye,” he said. “I think it would be a nice way to give them a good farewell.”

The route hasn’t yet been

determined, he said, though it might involve Broadway.

“We would like to make it nice and give support to those individuals who need it and deserve it,” Hanafan said.

The send-off, according to guard spokesman Col. Greg Hapgood, will involve soldiers from the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 168th Infantry; Detachment 2, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 168th Infantry (Spencer unit); Detachment 1, Company B, 1st Battalion, 168th Infantry; and Detach-

ment 1, Company F, 334th Brigade Support Battalion.

“I think this is one of the largest deployment of troops from here in a long time,” said Hanafan, who will speak at the ceremony.

All of the units are part of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, which consists of about 2,800 Iowa soldiers, according to Hapgood.

“Following the send-off ceremony, the soldiers will report to their mobilization station at Camp Shelby, Miss., for additional training and preparation before departing for

Afghanistan,” Hapgood said.

The 2nd Brigade Combat Team has been ordered to federal active duty under a partial mobilization call-up that authorizes the president to order members of the National Guard and Reserves to active duty for one year.

The mission of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team is to provide full-spectrum operations in a combat theater, which includes lethal and non-lethal capabilities, support to Afghan National Army and Police units, and assistance to humanitarian relief initiatives, Hapgood said.

For National Guard, training is a year-round process CHAD NATION Staff Writer cnation@nonpareilonline.com (712) 325-5738

When the soldiers of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team of the Iowa National Guard leave Iowa, they will not head directly to their mission in Afghanistan.

The soldiers will face weeks of additional training before leaving for foreign soil.

Maj. Mike Wunn, Iowa National Guard Public Affairs Officer, said the soldiers would arrive in waves at Camp Shelby in Mississippi.

Camp Shelby is used as a mobilization and training center for the War on Terror in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Wunn said soldiers will receive training that they have not been able to get in Iowa, as well as theater-specific training pertaining to their mission.

“We will have focused on individual training before going down, and it will be reinforced,” he said. “But the soldiers will start to focus on collection training, involving small teams or units.”

Wunn said some of the training would include control point operations, cordon and search missions and working patrols, as well as improvised explosive device reconnaissance and route clearing.

Sling loading will also be a focus on. Wunn said sling loading is when equipment must be moved from one area to another by way of helicopter.

Soldiers will train on effectively rigging the equipment for the airlifts.

“There will be a variety of training requirements that (the soldiers) will go through,” Wunn said. “We kind of focus our training on a ‘crawl, walk, run’ way of training.”

By “crawl, walk, run” training, Wunn said soldiers are exposed to certain training every year in Iowa. That is the crawl stage, while soldiers are learning or getting reacquainted with an action.

Camp Shelby will be the “walk” stage.

“We will be faster with drills at this stage,” he said.

Wunn said the troops will remain at Camp Shelby for approximately six weeks, before moving on to the national training center at Fort Irwin, Calif.

At Fort Irwin – the “run”

File photos

Clockwise from above, Sgt. Randy Caddell of Carter Lake, pictured in 2009, was deployed to Afghanistan in 2004-05 with many other members of the 168th Infantry unit of the Iowa National Guard from Council Bluffs. Members of the Iowa National Guard train breeching doors at Camp Ripley, Minn., in June 2009. Soldiers will build upon their local training at Camp Shelby, Miss., and Camp Irwin, Calif., before deploying to Afghanistan. A Chinook helicopter lands at the Council Bluffs Airport in 2009. The helicopter was part of the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Boss Lift. stage – Wunn said the soldiers are expected to be ready to execute the mission.

“Fort Irwin is to validate everything we have done before. We are expected to be able to execute the mission,” he added.

From Fort Irwin, some soldiers will return to Camp Shelby while others will go to Afghanistan.

Logistically, Wunn said moving all of the soldiers to Afghanistan will occur over a period of time.

But all of the soldiers are expected to be in Afghanistan by the end of November.

“That’s the window we are looking at right now,” Wunn

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How fast troops can be moved depends on the availability of aircraft. Wunn said

that currently there is a lot of movement of troops in and out of Iraq.

“There is only so much transportation to move people around,” he added.

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SALUTE TO TROOPS

The Daily Nonpareil

HANDLED WITH CARE Cookie Crumbs provide sweet treats for the deployed

Friday, July 23 2010

3C

Harrah’s to hold deployment party for troops Event to be held Saturday A major Council Bluffs business is planning special events in support of the area men and women of the Iowa Army National Guard being deployed to Afghanistan.

On Saturday, July 24, Harrah’s Council Bluffs Casino & Hotel is sponsoring a deployment party for the troops beginning at 7 p.m. at Whiskey Roadhouse inside Horseshoe Casino.

Complimentary food and

soft drinks with live entertainment will be available, along with a cash bar.

The food will be served until 9 p.m.

A blackjack table has been reserved for the troops in the adjacent Whiskey Pit. A special ceremony will be held at 8 p.m.

All troops can invite one guest to this event.

– Reporter Tim Rohwer can be reached at (712) 325-5752 or e-mail at timothy.rohwer@nonpareilonline.com.

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Staff Writer mike.brownlee@nonpareilonline.com (712) 325-5732

While in the Middle East, military troops fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq have a lot to worry about. Thanks to Abbie Crawford and a team of volunteers, where the next batch of cookies is coming from isn’t a concern.

Crawford runs Cookie Crumbs, an organization that prepares care packages containing homemade cookies and other items for troops deployed to the Middle East.

To date, more than 310,000 cookies have been sent overseas by the group, which Crawford formed in January 2007 after hearing about the national organization, Treats for Troops. Treats for Troops has sent more than 2,157,695 cookies to the troops since 1990.

When the endeavor began Crawford and a group of 15 friends and volunteers crammed into her kitchen to bake cookies and prepare packages. The group put together eight packages, with a cookie count of 80 dozen used that day.

“We really thought we’d done something,” Crawford said. “It’s really grown since then.”

Today Cookie Crumbs has about 180 volunteers, Crawford said, with each baker responsible for 10 dozen cookies once every four months.

Three teams of 55-60 people work rotationally to provide the cookies needed for each package.

The group averages about six to seven thousand cookies baked each month, Crawford said, and expects to send out about 59 packages in July.

Cookie Crumbs also gets help from other organizations that want to chip in to the cause. Local Girl Scout groups and church groups often bake for a specific month or time period as well.

And most, if not all, bakers also write a letter of support to the soldiers overseas, which are sent with the packages.

“Along with cookies and letters, we also put in comfort items – which vary from mixed nuts, sunflower seeds, beef jerky, hard candy, tube socks, any items that we think they may need or want or could use while they’re deployed over there,” Crawford said.

Once complete, the packages are shipped out to the troops. The shipping costs, which are $12.50 per package, are covered through donations.

Crawford originally contacted commanders within the Iowa Army National Guard unit to see where she could send the packages.

While commanders couldn’t give out information on troop deployments, they could pass along Cookie Crumbs information to the families and friends of deployed troops, who then

contact the organization.

Cookie Crumbs mainly supports Iowa troops, but when there’s a lull in demand she contacts Treat the Troops to see what they need.

Crawford said that the volunteers with Cookie Crumbs are doing their part for a variety of reasons, whether they have loved ones in the military or not.

The founder said she started Cookie Crumbs because of a yearning to support the troops somehow. Her previous experience with the military was writing letters to and supporting a young American troop during the Vietnam War for three years.

“I remember how important it was and how very important it became to me,” Crawford said. “I felt so helpless to do anything to support the troops in this particular conflict. I think (Cookie Crumbs) is a great way to help them out and support them.”

For more information or to volunteer, contact Crawford at (712) 328-2558 or e-mail iowacookiecrumbs@hotmail.com.

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Along with the 460 dozen cookies the group also sends other comfort items and a hand written letter to each soldier. At right, Robin Pruitt, left, and Dorothy Norton both crossed the river from Omaha to help pack boxes.

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SALUTE TO TROOPS

4C Friday, July 23 2010

FAMILY MATTERS Sister and wife watches two loved ones leave for war

The Daily Nonpareil

‘It’s amazing how strong these kids are.

They want to talk. They want to tell you (things like) ‘I talked to Dad.’ They’re strong people.’

– Julie McComas, Lewis Central High School counselor

Helping students when a parent goes off to war DENNIS FRIEND Staff Writer dennis.friend@nonpareilonline.com (712) 325-5746

Submitted photo

From left, Josh Gottschalk, Trina Casey and Chris Casey stand at the Casey’s home. Chris and Josh, who is Trina’s brother, will deploy with the 168th Infantry of the Iowa Army National Guard on Aug. 1, with their eventual destination the war in Afghanistan.

MIKE BROWNLEE Staff Writer mike.brownlee@nonpareilonline.com (712) 325-5732

When the 168th Infantry division of the Iowa Army National Guard leaves for Fort Shelby, Miss. on Aug. 1 on its way to being deployed to the war in Afghanistan for a year, Trina Casey will have two sets of goodbyes to make. Both her husband, Chris, and younger bother, Josh Gottschalk, will ship out.

“I’m more worried about my brother,” Trina Casey said.

“He’s never been deployed before.”

Gottschalk, 30, has been in the guard three years and will see his first overseas action, as a medic. Chris Casey, 35, has served in the guard for 15 years and has attained the rank of first sergeant and will lead a company of around 100 troops while in Afghanistan.

Chris served a tour in Afghanistan in 2005.

“I’m glad to have my hus-

Hom

band there to watch over him,” Trina said of her brother.

The Caseys and Gottschalks – Josh and his wife of six years, Tanya – live within five miles of each other in rural Pottawattamie County.

“I see him and his wife about once a week, if not more,” Trina said. “It’s tough.”

Making things tougher for the Gottschalks is that they’re expecting their first child, a boy, in September.

“That’s the part … there’s no other words for it – it sucks,” Josh Gottschalk said. “We’ve been trying to have a child for six years. The goal was to have the baby a couple of years ago or when I got home. But God had other plans.

“It gives me good incentive to keep my act together and make it home.

“But the fact that I won’t be able to see my son the first year will be tough. And it will put a lot of pressure on Tanya, because infants take a lot of time. I wouldn’t wish raising

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an infant alone on anybody,” he said. “My wife’s strong, I know she’ll be OK.” Trina Casey said she looks forward to helping the new mother, but will also have her own responsibilities with her and Chris’ three children, Tillie, 10, Gaven, 7, and Tess, 1.

Trina said she is worried about Chris’ deployment, but at the same time more worried about managing without him.

“I’m proud of him. I don’t think I’m scared for him as much. He’s a smart guy, he knows his job. In the grand scheme of things, looking at history, Afghanistan is one of the safest wars we’ve had,” Trina said. “I’m scared about making it through the daily stuff here, raising three kids.”

Trina said her children are taking their dad’s deployment in stride, especially Tillie.

“They’re doing pretty well and are really proud of him.

Especially my oldest one, she’s stepped up a lot helping with the responsibility of things at home,” Trina said.

The Caseys married in October of 2008 and Chris soon was talking to his brother-inlaw about joining the National Guard.

“I can blame Chris for taking my brother with him,” Trina said.

Not that their younger brother minds. Gottschalk said that while he’ll miss his family and the time spent with his son, he’s looking forward to the deployment. “(Getting deployed) is one of the reasons I joined. I’m still one of the few people that believes there’s still a good reason for us to be there,” Gottschalk said. “I was raised under the belief that it’s your job as a Christian or as a human being to help people who can’t help themselves.

“For the most part, the people in Afghanistan cannot stand up for themselves against Al-Qaeda and the Taliban. It’s my job to protect my family and protect my country.

And when asked to help others, I have to do that.”

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What can schools do for their students who may have parents who serve in the military and deployed in Afghanistan, Iraq or somewhere else away from home?

They can try to help, according to Student and Family Services Executive Director Ron Diimig of the Council Bluffs School District.

“We refer families to the National Guard family liaison, who is equipped to assist families when a parent is deployed,” Diimig said. “The child’s teacher and counselor are often aware of the family situation and are very willing to provide additional support.”

Children whose soldierparents are called to duty may react much like children whose parents are divorcing, but students at the high school level are more likely to understand what’s happening, Lewis Central High School counselor Julie McComas said. She counsels students at the ninth- and 10th-grade levels.

“When a relative or a parent calls us to tell us a student’s parent is being deployed, we do individual counseling,” McComas said.

“We stay in close touch with the student.”

At the high school level, the

student knows what is happening but McComas said “they may be worried and anxious. They’re frustrated when they don’t know where the parent will go,” she said, and they may worry about what will happen to that parent. It’s amazing how strong these kids are. They want to talk. They want to tell you (things like) ‘I talked to Dad.’ They’re strong people.”

Some younger children may not understand why their mom or dad left, but Mary Gregor, the at-risk coordinator for Titan Hill Intermediate School, said a lot depends on the child or the family involved.

“Sometimes, they’re real private. Sometimes, they come to us,” Gregor said, and the counseling approach should be individual. A child might become worried and uneasy; they might regard the deployment the way one might experience a loss in the family; and some might experience feelings of doubt, concern and fear.

“Some kids want to talk.

Some don’t,” Gregor said.

Teachers and counselors will watch the child carefully for subtle things. “If we see changes in behavior, we start with the parents and families to see how they’re doing. We try to find ways to help the whole family. We make sure they can tap into resources as needed,” she said.

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SALUTE TO TROOPS

The Daily Nonpareil

Friday, July 23 2010

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ESGR helps businesses, soldiers CHAD NATION Staff Writer cnation@nonpareilonline.com (712) 325-5738

When 215 soldiers pull out of the Mid-American Center on Aug. 1, employers will feel the pinch of missing a valued member of their business.

While the citizen soldiers serve their country, employers are also supporting the cause by supporting their employees.

Recognizing the difficulties between employees and employers during calls to active duty the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve was established in 1972 to promote cooperation and understanding between Reserve component members and their civilian employers and to assist in the resolution of conflicts arising from an employee’s military commitment.

The Iowa Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve’s purpose is to gain and maintain employer support for National Guard and Reserve forces by recognizing outstanding support, increasing awareness of the law and resolving conflict through mediation.

The National Guard and Reserve are an integral part of the military. Almost half of the men and women serving in our armed forces are members of the National Guard and Reserve.

The Department of Defense tasks ESGR to “… promote both public and private understanding of the National Guard and Reserve in order to gain U.S. employer and community support through programs and personnel policies and practices that encourage employee and citizen participation in National Guard and Reserve programs.”

Employers are vital in enabling employees who are members of the National Guard and Reserve to serve our country.

Moreover,

Submitted photo

Dustin Goodsell holds a boy he met during his first deployment to Afghanistan.

Troops’ families offered support TIM JOHNSON Staff Writer tjohnson@nonpareilonline.com (712) 325-5750

Staff photo/Cindy Christensen

Kelly Brodie, interim supervisor with the Glenwood Resource Center stands with Frank Overhue, left, Iowa ESGR employer outreach representative and Francis Clark, Iowa ESGR area 2 chairman, after being presented with the Patriot Award in recognition of extraordinary support of employees who serve in the Iowa National Guard by the Iowa Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve. employers’ active support and encouragement is critical to the Guard and Reserve’s success.

ESGR provides some suggestions on how employers can help: ■ Learn more about the role of the National Guard and Reserve. Attend open houses and public functions at local military units. Talk about the National Guard and Reserve with military and civilian leaders in the community. Ask your employees what they do and how they fit into the “big picture” of national defense.

■ Get to know employees’ military commanders and supervisors. Ask them to pro-

vide advance notice of an employee’s annual military duty schedule.

■ Show support in writing by signing a Statement of Support for the National Guard and Reserve. Display it prominently for all employees and visitors to see. Request a Statement of Support online.

■ Examine personnel policies to see how they accommodate and support participation in the National Guard or Reserve. Do they include provisions for military leaves of absence? Do they ensure job opportunities and benefits equivalent to those of other employees? Your local ESGR Field Committee is available

to answer questions or offer suggestions.

■ Encourage employee participation in the National Guard and Reserve. Recognize and publicize their dedication and commitment to the business and the nation. Employees’ service in the National Guard and Reserve enhances their job performance and value to your organization.

■ Seek assistance from ESGR. Call 1 (800) 336-4590 to speak with an ombudsman.

Ombudsmen serve as confidential, neutral liaisons for employers and employees who seek assistance or clarification regarding their rights and responsibilities.

Helping soldiers readjust upon return TIM JOHNSON Staff Writer tjohnson@nonpareilonline.com (712) 325-5750

As happy as families are to be reunited when a soldier returns from a deployment, he or she faces challenges in readjusting to civilian life.

“The economy has changed, and so may have your co-workers, your work environment and you. The more flexible and patient you allow yourself to be, the easier the transition will be for you and your employer,” Camille Breland wrote in an article in the January-February 2009 issue of National Guard Soldier & Family Foundations.

The issue has been magnified by the number of soldiers who have been deployed and redeployed since President George W. Bush launched the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, said Maj. Mike Wunn, public information officer based at Camp Dodge near Des Moines.

“We have deployed over 13,000 soldiers over the last

‘Some soldiers may have trouble with the process, and some will go through it more quickly. We want to make sure they have a support network, if they have any medical or mental health issues.’

– Maj. Mike Wunn, public information officer

eight or nine years,” he said.

The Army National Guard’s Soldier and Family Support and Services Division offers reintegration assistance through its Soldier and Family Services branch, including the Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program and Army OneSource.

In addition, the Guard offers occasional workshops like “Enduring Families,” which is designed to help the whole family with the transition.

The Guard tries to make sure soldiers and families have the resources they need, Wunn said.

“Some soldiers may have trouble with the process, and

some will go through it more quickly,” he said. “We want to make sure they have a support network, if they have any medical or mental health issues.”

Soldiers have to be resilient enough to go through everything and still be ready to

readjust to civilian life.

The Guard, for its part, reevaluates programs periodically and works to improve them, Wunn said.

“We’re a learning organization,” he said.

The Iowa National Guard’s 2nd Brigade Combat Team has been called up for a oneyear deployment to Afghanistan. The mobilization will include Detachment 1, Company B, 1st Battalion, 168th Infantry and Detachment 1, Company F, 334th Brigade Support Battalion. A community-wide send-off will be held Sunday, Aug. 1 at 10 a.m. at the Mid-America Center, 1 Arena Way.

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“We’re all there to support one another, because we all have the family member overseas.”

Teresa Goodsell of Underwood recalled the Family Readiness Group she and her husband, Dave, and their family participated in after their son, Dustin, was deployed with the Iowa National Guard in 2004.

“It was very worthwhile,” she said.

FRGs are made up of soldiers, civilian employees and family members who provide mutual support and assistance and a network of communications among family members, the chain of command and community resources, according to the Iowa National Guard website.

Dustin Goodsell was gone for about 16 months, including several months at training sites and one year in Afghanistan, Teresa Goodsell said. The family found comfort in the group.

“It was a support group for family members to get together,” she said. “We usually tried to get together about every two weeks.”

The FRG met in restaurants, the National Guard Armory and other venues to hold social activities and raise money to send packages to their loved ones, Goodsell said.

“They even had different activities there at the armory that the National Guard put on for the families,” she said.

“It kind of also helped you to see there were other people going through the same thing

you were.”

Participants built new friendships and helped each other out with babysitting, home repairs and other tasks, she said.

“We’re all there to support one another, because we all have the family member overseas,” Goodsell said. “We’d have a calling tree that would go on, if something ever happened. There was one soldier who didn’t make it back.”

Dustin Goodsell started working for the Guard full time in February and was promoted to staff sergeant, Teresa Goodsell said.

“He’s wanted to go military and be military since he was a kid,” she said.

Now, the Goodsells are preparing for him to be deployed to Afghanistan again, Goodsell said.

“He’s willing and able. He’s looking forward to it,” she said. “It’s a big concern for us, though – just like the last time.”

Goodsell fears this tour might be more dangerous than the last.

“The first time, it was more of a peacekeeping mission,” she said. “It’s going to be a lot different this time, I think.”

Goodsell plans to get involved with the family group this time, as she did before.

The National Guard Family Support & Services Division offers financial, emotional, household and health assistance, according to the website.

For more information, visit the Family Assistance Center at the Council Bluffs National Guard Armory, 2415 E. Kanesville Blvd., or contact Gina Golden at (712) 3251218, ext. 18204.

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SALUTE TO TROOPS

The Daily Nonpareil

Friday, July 23 2010

7C

AP

A U.S. Army soldier takes cover from dust whipped up by a departing helicopter at Combat Outpost Terra Nova in Kandahar, Afghanistan July 19.

Expert: U.S. doing the right thing in Afghanistan DENNIS FRIEND Staff Writer dennis.friend@nonpareilonline.com (712) 325-5746

Afghanistan has been referred to by critics of the ongoing war as the place “where empires go to die.”

Thomas E. Gouttierre strongly disagrees.

Gouttierre is director of the Center for Afghanistan Studies at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Developed in 1974, it is the only center in the United States specifically and exclusively concerned with Afghanistan affairs.

He said the criticism may be appropriate when leveled against those who invaded against the wishes of the Afghan people. In the case of the United States, he said, “They want us to be there unless we screw up.”

Gouttierre is considered an expert. In addition to being the director of the Center for Afghanistan Studies, he is dean of international studies and programs at UNO and the University of Nebraska Medical Center.

He has lived, worked and studied Afghanistan since the 1960s. He has spoken on the war in Afghanistan and on international terrorism in hearings before the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee and before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on International Relations. He speaks, reads and writes Afghan, Persian and other languages and has published articles about

Submitted photo

Tom Gouttierre posed with Army Gen. Stanley McChrystal last year, when McChrystal was in charge of the Afghanistan mission. Gouttierre is director of the Center for Afghanistan Studies at the University of Nebraska at Omaha and is widely regarded as an expert on Afghanistan.

Afghanistan society, culture, and politics.

Gouttierre liked Army Gen. Stanley McChrystal’s approach in Afghanistan.

“I had a high regard for his strategy. He seemed to understand,” Gouttierre said.

Goutierre also understood why McChrystal was ousted for violating the chain-of-command by publicly criticizing President Obama and members of the administration. Goutierre said Gen. David Petraeus, who replaced McChrys-

tal, is likely to continue most of McChrystal’s policies.

“I’m confident we have the right team now.

(President Obama) learned what the Bush administration was not doing right and has redirected the effort,” he said.

Petraeus subscribes to the current counterinsurgency strategy, and has argued that a continuation of the counterinsurgency strategy is a winning strategy. The general has said

that the United States and its allies must win hearts and minds in Afghanistan by helping rebuild services like electrical power and roads devastated by decades of war.

“Under the Bush administration, we never had enough people in Afghanistan. Then, we were diverted into Iraq,” Gouttierre said. “Now, we’re providing the numbers of personnel needed. Our strategy has improved greatly.”

In addition, he said civilian and reconstruction efforts have improved.

“We have helped Afghans make some strides forward in civil reconstruction,” he said.

The country’s infrastructure was pounded into near-oblivion by decades of civil war and the war against the former Soviet Union, but he said reconstruction efforts initially were badly handled by the United States.

“Civil reconstruction had been outsourced and inappropriate under the Bush administration. Well-intentioned but inappropriate,” he said. The reconstruction efforts seemed to have no real focus and were hampered by disagreements among the countries involved, he added.

Now, Goutierre said there appears to be a new sense of hope prompted by U.S. efforts.

“A new constitution is in place and Afghans are investing in shops, homes and property,” he said. “What they really need is a massive public works project. There’s no meaningful recovery if they’re not employed. There’s no sanitation, no sewers and the streets need to be repaved.”

A focus on economic recovery alone would have an immediate impact, “and then you could wean them away from the drug cultures and the militia groups. We’re fighting against an al-Qaeda syndicate and franchises. Most regard the United States with hope, but they’re apprehensive. We need to be more coordinated in the reconstruction effort.”

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SALUTE TO TROOPS

8C Friday, July 23 2010

The Daily Nonpareil

Sons’ deployments strengthen Cross’ faith MIKE BROWNLEE Staff Writer mike.brownlee@nonpareilonline.com (712) 325-5732

On Aug. 1, family members of the men and women of the 168th Infantry division of the Iowa Army National Guard will shed tears and give hugs and send off their loved ones, who begin a year-long deployment to the war in Afghanistan.

Kathleen Cross knows what they’re going through.

Cross, of Council Bluffs, has watched two sons leave for base camps, their overseas deployment journey beginning after an emotional farewell.

Her son Kurtis Hallagan is currently at a confidential locale in Afghanistan, after deploying with the Marines in February of this year. He’ll be there a total of 14 months.

Older son Kohl Hallagan deployed with the Marines to Iraq for nine months in 2009.

“It’s an honor to know that my sons believe in America by serving and protecting our country and more importantly the families and citizens of America as many other soldiers do,” Cross said.

Kohl will soon deploy again, leaving this October for a ninemonth stint in Afghanistan.

When asked what those days are like, watching Kurtis leave to enter a war zone, Cross spoke of her faith in God to bring them home safely. “(The day) was one day closer to his return and an opportunity to exercise my faith again,” Cross said.

Kurtis, 21, entered the military in the fall of 2007, not too long after graduating from high school. Older brother Kohl fol-

lowed shortly thereafter in January of 2008.

Kurtis said in the current assignment he’s in charge of making sure his higher-ups have everything they need, serving as an assistant of sorts.

“When they go outside the wire (into a danger zone) I go with them as their security,” Kurtis said via e-mail.

He works out of the operations center at his location.

A strong faith pervades the lives of mother and sons, helping Cross deal with her sons’ deployments.

“Our family is anchored to faith and we believe strongly in God and His scriptures,” Cross said. “Kurtis and Kohl believe and know that their Lord walks with them daily, thus empowering them to be insightful to their purpose and how they serve.”

Submitted photo

Kurtis Hallagan stands in a tank while on patrol in Afghanistan. Hallagan, 21, deployed to the war in February of this year.

Newlyweds Humberts face time apart MIKE BROWNLEE Staff Writer mike.brownlee@nonpareilonline.com (712) 325-5732

Kristyn Humbert isn’t thinking about Aug. 1.

Her husband, Todd, deploys with the 168th Infantry of the Iowa Army National Guard that day. But instead of worry about Aug. 1, she’s busy spending time with Todd, her husband for all of three months.

“I know it’s coming and it’s inevitable,” Kristyn said of Todd’s deployment. “I’m not looking forward to it.”

The infantry will head to Fort Shelby, Miss., for additional training before heading to the war in Afghanistan.

“She’s not ready for it,” Todd said of his wife. “She’s not happy, but she’s supportive of my decision to be in the military and do what I do.”

Todd will work at a tactical operation center while overseas, working with “higher ranking people in the battalion,” he said, publishing orders.

“Everything we do is secret, high-level clearance work,” Todd said before noting he wasn’t sure where in Afghanistan he’d end up.

“They haven’t really given me an idea of where I’ll be. That’s still up in the air.”

The young couple had just started to date when Todd was deployed to Afghanistan in 2004. He spent 18 months on his first trip and came home in some ways a different person from his experiences, Kristyn said. She expects some adjustment time again on this deployment go around, but will be there when he gets home.

Todd works full-time for the guard, at the Council Bluffs armory, doing supply work. He is also leaving behind a daughter, Hannah, from a previous relationship. Through a jointcustody agreement Todd said he sees the 7-year-old every other weekend.

He said he hasn’t told Hannah too much about his job because he doesn’t want her to worry.

‘I know it will be tough, but I know he’ll be safe.’

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“She just knows that Dad’s going to be gone for a while. I try to keep her out of the details so she doesn’t have to worry about what Dad’s getting into to,” Todd said. “She doesn’t need to know the danger that I’ll be in.”

His love for Hannah and the need to be there for her steered Todd toward the National Guard. After the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, he was determined to join the military.

“When 9/11 happened all I could do was sit there and watch the destruction on TV,” he said. “I wanted to do something to help. But I was 16 … I couldn’t go to New York to help, couldn’t go to the Pentagon to help.”

He planned to join the Army, but during his senior year at Abraham Lincoln High School he found out Hannah was on the way.

His plans shifted from the Army to something where he could be near Hannah and serve his country. A meeting with a National Guard recruiter put him on the path to his current position.

“Being in the Army National Guard, I do both things. I can be a military man, but also still be a family man,” he said. “I’m still close to my daughter.”

As Todd and Kristyn prepare for Aug. 1, this new wife said she knows she won’t be alone that day.

“When you’re at the ceremony, you see all the other families and soldiers know you’re not the only one going through it. And the soldiers will have each other’s backs,” Kristyn said. “I’m not looking forward to (Todd) leaving again. I know it will be tough, but I know he’ll be safe. It’s what he likes to do, so no matter what I’m going to stand behind him.”

487-3649

Staff photo/Cindy Christensen

Todd Humbert stands with Kristyn, his wife of three months, in their home. Humbert will be one of the soldiers deployed with the Iowa National Guard on Aug.1.

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