Oregon National Guard's 3rd Battalion, 116th Cavalry holds deployment ceremony at EOU

Published: June 30, 2004

Photos by C.J. Gish
Media and publication writer
University Advancement
541-962-3585 / fax 541-962-3680

The following pictures were taken on Wednesday, July 30, at Eastern Oregon University's Community Stadium of the Oregon National Guard 3rd Battalion, 116th Cavalry deployment ceremony. The hour-long ceremony featured 400 soldiers from units in La Grande, Baker City, The Dalles, Pendleton and Hermiston and the featured speaker was Oregon Gov. Ted Kulongoski.

The soliders departed for Fort Bliss Texas on July 2 for training followed by a stop at the Joint Readiness Training Center in Fort Polk, La., before leaving for Iraq in November to take part in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

The La Grande Observer story by staff writer Dick Mason, which appeared in the July 1 issue, is at the bottom of the page following the pictures.

By Dick Mason
The La Grande Observer

Published: July 1, 2004

For the past 20 years Eastern Oregon University's Community Stadium has been the site of numerous events that are symbolic of American culture - football games, graduation ceremonies and concerts.

The combined significance of these happenings was dwarfed Wednesday by the magnitude of one of the most patriotic and heart wrenching of events - a mobilization ceremony for Eastern Oregon's National Guard unit.

The approximately 400 soldiers in the 3rd Battalion, 116th Cavalry will leave for Iraq later this year after receiving four to five months of training in Texas and Louisiana.

The soldiers are leaving with the blessing of Gov. Ted Kulongoski, who addressed Wednesday's ceremony.

"I do this with mixed emotions. There is no denying that this is a dangerous mission. Doing your duty means that there will be real risks, and sacrifices for your families. ... You are among the elite. We want to take full advantage of your training and can-do spirit,'' Kulongoski said.

The soldiers stood at attention under a sweltering mid-day sun. Behind the soldiers sat between 2,000 and 2,500 family and community members, many waving American flags that had been given to people as they entered the stadium.

Kulongoski reminded the soldiers of the value of their service.

"You are not weekend warriors. That is a myth which I hope never sees the light of day again,'' the governor said. "You are no longer a step-child of the military.''

Kulongoski was presented with the National Guard unit's flag, which will be flown in Salem until the unit returns. In turn, the 3/116th was presented with an Oregon flag that will be taken to Iraq.

Kulongoski said that the task facing the soldiers is made more difficult by not all Americans believing that the United States military should be in Iraq.

"You are willing to go into a conflict which not everybody agrees on,'' Kulongoski said. "But the essence of democracy and freedom is that each of us has the right to voice our opinion.''

Kulongoski, an ex-Marine, has spoken at all of the mobilization ceremonies of Oregon National Guard units. The total includes one for the 2nd Battalion, 162nd Infantry in Cottage Grove, which lost four soldiers earlier this year. Kulongoski made references to their deaths Wednesday and how much the loss touched him.

Following the ceremony, Kulongoski said that speaking at mobilization ceremonies is becoming more difficult in light of the misfortunes troops have experienced.

The 3/116th is scheduled to be in Iraq for a year. The soldiers will depart for Fort Bliss, Texas, early Friday for three to four months of training. Then they will go to Fort Polk, La., for mission-specific training for about a month and then depart for Iraq.

Kulongoski said that the unit's soldiers will be constantly on his mind.

"I will not rest until all of you are home safely and in the loving arms of your families,'' the governor said.

Brigadier Gen. Alan Gayhart also had words of inspiration for the soldiers, comparing them to those who fought in World War II.

"You are the next Greatest Generation,'' Gayhart said.

He stressed that the armed forces are playing a critical role in the Middle East.

"If we don't fight terrorists in Iraq and Afghanistan, we will have to fight them here,'' Gayhart said.

The ceremony's benediction was given by retired Col. Hank Albrecht, pastor of Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church.

"I pray for you every day,'' Albrecht told the soldiers. "And I will continue to pray for you every day.''

Albrecht urged everyone in attendance to follow his lead.

"I challenge you to pray for all the soldiers in the world who are in harm's way,'' Albrecht said.

He said that the soldiers are going to Iraq for an important reason.

"Freedom is a God-given gift for everyone in the world. We treasure it and are proud of it,'' Albrecht said.

Like Kulongoski, Albrecht made reference to the controversy surrounding the conflict in Iraq.

"We should never let this take away from the valor of the men out here,'' Albrecht said.

Hot weather and the emotional intensity of Wednesday's ceremony took a toll on the audience. La Grande Fire and Ambulance personnel reported treating eight people for heat exhaustion, dehydration and emotional stress. Some were taken to Grande Ronde Hospital.

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