Troops’ service honored
BY BARBARA HOBEROCK World Capital Bureau
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
4/11/12 at 8:04 AM
View photos and an interactive map of the 45th Infantry Brigade of the
Oklahoma Army National Guard.
OKLAHOMA CITY — The 45th Infantry
Division and the Oklahoma National Guard
were recognized Tuesday during a joint
legislative session in the state House of Representatives
chamber.
Uniformed women and men filled the gallery, as
did families of the 19 Oklahomans who lost their
lives in fighting in the aftermath of the Sept. 11,
2001, terrorist attacks on the United States.
“Many of our soldiers and airmen have deployed
three, four and even five times since 9/11,” said
Maj. Gen. Myles Deering, the adjutant general
of Oklahoma. “Yes, they do it willingly, but every
citizen must realize that it does come with a cost.
Aside from the obvious strain on family relationships,
more than 30 percent of the 45th Infantry
Brigade Combat Team is unemployed or underemployed."
Deering encouraged lawmakers
to look for ways to
entice businesses to employ
service members.
“They’ve given their best
for this state and this nation,
and they only want a place
to put in a hard day’s work,”
he said.
Deering read the names,
ranks and hometowns of the
19 soldiers who lost their
lives and asked their survivors
to stand.
Several people wiped tears
from their faces as they were
recognized with a lengthy
standing ovation.
“As the history of the
wars in Afghanistan and
Iraq is written, your loved
ones will be remembered
for their courage, bravery
and sacrifice,” he said. “The
fond memory of each of your
loved ones is etched upon the
hearts of those that continue
to serve.
“I pray that you will find
peace in the days ahead, and
may God bless you all."
In the past few weeks,
some 3,000 Guard members
have returned from the war
in Afghanistan, Deering said,
but the war isn’t over, and
more will be deploying in the
summer.
“While most of our
guardsmen are now home
from war, we remain committed
to protecting our
state,” he said.
“If there is a major tornado,
flood or wildfire, Oklahomans
know the National
Guard will be there, rest
assured."
Deering recounted the
history of the 45th Infantry
Division in places such as
Sicily, Naples, Anzio, Rome,
southern France, the Rhineland,
the Ardennes, Central
Europe and Korea.
Lt. Gov Todd Lamb
thanked members of the
Oklahoma Army and Air
National Guard for their service,
saying the state receives
them with pride and a grateful
heart.
“No amount of words can
truly express our gratitude
for what you have done and
what you will do in the future,”
he said.
Lamb encouraged lawmakers
to continue to work
to make Oklahoma the best
place in the country for
veterans.
Barbara Hoberock 405-528-2465
barbara.hoberock@tulsaworld.com
Associated Images:
Family members of fallen soldiers stand to be recognized Tuesday during a joint session of the Legislature in honor of the 45th Infantry Brigade andOklahoma National Guard at the state Capitol. DAVID MCDANIEL/The Oklahoman
Col. Joel P. Ward of Tulsa (left), commander of the 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, greets a well wisher Tuesday at a joint Legislaturesession to recognize the 45th and the Oklahoma National Guard. DAVID MCDANIEL/The Oklahoman
Troops walk past portraits of fallen Oklahoma soldiers at the state Capitol on Tuesday. In the past few weeks, about 3,000 Guardmembers have returned home, but 19 soldiers lost their lives in the war in Afghanistan. DAVID MCDANIEL/The Oklahoman
Maj. Gen. Myles Deering,adjutant general of Oklahoma,encouraged lawmakers to lookfor ways to entice businesses toemploy service members. DAVID MCDANIEL/The Oklahoman
Families of fallen solders (top center) stand to be recognized by lawmakers Tuesday during a jointsession of the Oklahoma Legislature at the state Capitol. DAVID MCDANIEL/The Oklahoman
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