|
From the Minnesota National Guard, 400 Minnesota National Guard Soldiers Return from Kosovo Community, friends and family of the 2nd Battalion, 135th Infantry are scheduled to gather for Welcome Home Ceremonies following the unit’s return from a 12-month deployment in support of the Kosovo International Security Force (KFOR) and NATO peacekeeping operations in Kosovo. 400 Soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, 135th Infantry conducted peacekeeping operations in Kosovo as part of “Task Force Bayonet,” and were instrumental in keeping peace during that nation’s declaration of Independence.
The unit was responsible for security, intelligence, communications, re-supply, civil military operations and reconstruction missions, traveling more than 500,000 miles in Kosovo. While deployed, these Soldiers completed more than 12,000 security patrols, set up 1,500 Vehicle Control Points, discovered 5 weapons caches, turned over 23 suspected rebels to the Kosovo Police Service, established more than 340 LP/OP’s (listening post/observation post) and provided logistical support for two patrol bases. In addition, the 2nd Battalion, 135th Infantry provided medical treatment to more than 1,000 local civilians and completed four Kosovo reconstruction projects totaling more than $75,000. The 2nd Battalion, 135th Infantry distinguished itself in Kosovo with the following awards: 34 Army Achievement medals, 27 Army Commendation medals, 7 Meritorious Service medals, 2,105 Service Awards and promoted 224 Soldiers. The returning Soldiers are from the 2nd Battalion, 135th Infantry headquartered in Mankato. The specific units that were deployed are as follows: Headquarters and Headquarters Company in Mankato; A Company in West St. Paul; B Company in Rochester; D Company in Albert Lea; and F Company, 334th Brigade Support Battalion in Austin.
I hate missing a meal with my kids, I don’t know how I could possibly handle being away from them for months. Yet, that’s what countless service men and women do on our behalf. They leave home for often deadly environments wearing the flag of our country, serving to protect and defend. This song from Lonestar, I’m Already There, always gets me right here, ya know. Though not specifically about the military, I think the song captures better than anything else the hardship deployments cause for families. If you can make it through this song with dry eyes, you’re a cold, heartless beast. (This video on youtube is for the military, but the embed code was disabled.) Cross-posted at Truth Vs. The Machine. Comments welcome.
|
