Thanks for a job well done
Five months after returning from Iraq, Little Falls-based engineer battalion honored at Camp Ripley
CAMP RIPLEY -- Five months after their return from Iraq, members of the Minnesota Army National Guard's Little Falls-based Company C, 142 Engineer Battalion were honored for their service Sunday.
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Gathered in the Camp Ripley Recreation Center, about 142 members of the company and hundreds of family members came to hear words of appreciation from National Guard officials, Lt. Gov. Carol Molnau, William Popp, CEO of Popp Telecom, which donated thousands of dollars to Minnesota troops and guest speaker retired Capt. Delbert Kuehl, a World War II veteran.
"It's good to be back. I've got up to the lake quite a few times," said Spc. Troy Okerlund, of Brainerd, of his months back at home.
Okerlund and his fellow Company C members were gone for 14 months, missing out on birthdays and holidays with their families.
Members of Little Falls-based Company C, 142 Engineer Battalion stood holding American flags they'd received during a ceremony Sunday at Camp Ripley to honor their service to the U.S. The members returned home five months ago after serving more than a year in Iraq. Brainerd Dispatch/Nels Norquist
"We were definitely there for the haul," said Okerlund. He said he knew there would be some sort of ceremony when they came back to the U.S. but he didn't know it would be to the scale as Sunday's event.
Company C deployed in late January of 2003 to support Operation Iraqi Freedom by providing construction services -- including building and maintaining bases and airfields. During their deployment they completed more than 350 assigned construction projects, ranging from one-day to three-month jobs.
Although the soldiers returned in April and May, they have not been required to return to traditional national guard duty until this month, allowing them time to transition back to life at home. Sgt. Robert Crandall said he went back to work soon after returning from Iraq, so he had learn to adjust to civilian life in a hurry.
"But everything is pretty much back to normal," Crandall said. He knew the ceremony was coming, and he and his family were excited about it. "It's really nice."
On Sunday, Capt. Wayne Schlangen, Commander of Company C, retired the company's Minnesota state flag to Molnau.
Members of Little Falls-based Company C, 142 Engineer Battalion stood holding American flags they'd received during a ceremony Sunday at Camp Ripley to honor their service to the U.S. The members returned home five months ago after serving more than a year in Iraq. Brainerd Dispatch/Nels Norquist
"I want to say thank you, thank you, thank you," Molnau said. "I'm thankful you were willing and able to defend our country through Iraqi Freedom, to do your part to ensure our freedoms.
"I Truly stand here in awe, seeing you veterans, you heroes... I want to thank you for your service and your contribution."
In addition to thanking the guard members, Maj. Gen. Larry Shellito, adjutant general of Minnesota and head of the Minnesota National Guard, thanked the guard members' families and the support of the members hometowns.
"God bless you, God Bless your service. Let's always be there, for everybody." Shellito said.
After Kuehl shared stories of his service in World Ward II, each member of Company C were brought on stage to be presented with an American flag in a wooden display case.
"This ceremony brings closure to a long-time and very successful deployment," said Col. Dan Scott, who served as emcee for the ceremony.
MATT ERICKSON can be reached at matt.erickson@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5857.