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May-30-2007 05:22printcomments

More Oregon Army Guard Troops Headed to Iraq

Several 224 Soldiers were originally a part of the B-52 Engineer Co., which deployed to Iraq in 2003.

oregon guard ceremony
Members of the 115th Mobile Public Affairs assemble for a final formation at the Anderson Readiness Center in Salem, Ore. May 23, before deploying to Iraq.
Oregon National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Nick Choy, Oregon National Guard Public Affairs

(ALBANY, Ore. ) - The Oregon Army National Guard has announced the second mobilization of the 224 Engineer Company based in Albany and Newport, Ore.

Albany has 89 soldiers assigned and Newport has a Detachment of 32 soldiers.

This marks the second deployment for this unit which prior to the Army's reorganization was Bravo Company, 52 Engineers which was one of the first units from Oregon to deploy to Iraq in 2003.

The ceremony will take place on Sunday, June 3rd at 1:00 PM at the Linn County Fairgrounds Exhibit Hall in Albany, Ore. The Linn County Fairgrounds is located at 3700 Knox Butte Rd.

Governor Ted Kulongoski, Major General Raymond F. Rees, The Adjutant General and Brigadier General Charles L. Yriarte, Commander, 82 Brigade will take part in the ceremony. Family and friends are welcome to attend the ceremony.

Preceding the ceremony, Mo's Restaurants and Newport Pacific will host the noon meal for the soldiers, their families, friends and supporters at the Linn County Fairgrounds beginning at 11:30 AM.

The noon meal will consist of their nationally famous Clam Chowder served in Bread Bowls as well as shrimp cocktails and drinks.

Management volunteers and staffers from their six locations will be on hand to serve up this special meal as they wish our soldiers well prior to their second deployment to Iraq.

General Manager, Peggy Preisz and the staff of Mo's and Newport Pacific Corporation have long been staunch supporters of the many citizen soldiers in the Oregon National Guard who have now repeatedly been called to duty in support of the Global War on Terrorism.

"The work in support of natural disasters in the State of Oregon as well as their work to assist the victims of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita combined with their federal call ups is a testimony to the quality of the citizen soldiers in Oregon", stated Peggy Preisz. "It is our honor to provide something back to our soldiers in Oregon."

The company will train in Ft. McCoy, Wis. approximately mid month for more than two months for pre mobilization training before their deployment to Iraq where they will clear roads and provide other infrastructure support.

This unit is primarily a horizontal construction unit with the specialty of rebuilding roadways and berms.

Several Soldiers are mentally preparing for the deployment. "Politics aside, I volunteered for this," said Spec. Michael Coker of 224. "I think this will be good for the Iraqi people."

The 224 Engineer Co. specializes in construction-related jobs.

Several 224 Soldiers were originally a part of the B-52 Engineer Co., which deployed to Iraq in 2003.

The B-52 deployed 146 Soldiers in February 2003 to rebuild bridges and roadways, as well as other infrastructure in Iraq.

The company also constructed the House/Village of Hope, built homes for homeless Iraqi's and taught Iraqis valuable construction skills.

The 224 Engineer Co. has worked on several community construction projects including the construction of a septic system in eastern Oregon, the construction of a veterans' memorial in Albany and a variety of other projects.

Mobilizing for the rotation into Iraq from the 224 Engineer Company based in Albany, Ore. will be soldiers from the following home towns:

Albany - 17 soldiers Alsea - 1; Astoria - 2; Aumsville- 1; Baker City - 1; Beaverton - 1; Bend - 2; Canby - 1 (This female soldier is mobilizing for the third time in support of the Global War on Terror); Clackamas - 1; Coos Bay - 1; Cornelius - 1; Corvalliss - 2; Dallas - 2; Eugene - 2; Grande Ronde - 1; Gresham - 1; Florence - 1; Happy Valley - 1; Harrisburg - 1; Hermiston - 1; Hillsboro - 1; Hood River - 1; Independence - 1; Jefferson - 1; John Day - 2; Keizer - 1;Lake Oswego - 1; Lakeside - 1; Lebanon - 5; Lincoln City - 1; Milton-Freewater - 1; Monmouth - 1; Monroe - 1; North Bend - 1; Newberg - 1; Newport - 1; Oregon City - 1; Pendleton - 3; Philomath - 1; Prineville - 5; Portland - 5; Redmond - 3; Salem - 16; Sandy - 1; Seaside - 1; Silverton - 1; Stayton - 1; Springfield - 5; Sweet Home - 3; Tangent - 1; Toledo - 3; Troutdale - 1; Waldport - 1; Wilsonville - 1; Kelso, Wash. - 1. Ocean Shores, Wash. - 1; Silver Creek, Wash. - 1; Vancouver, Wash. - 1; Washougal, Wash. - 1. Wishram, Wash. - 1 and Columbia, MO. - 1.




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armygirlB52 June 6, 2007 9:53 am (Pacific time)

The ceremony was sad, but I'm very proud of the soldiers (especially my uncle!). My prayers go out to Blades Deep (224 Engineer Company)as they help make Iraq a better place. I wish all US soldiers a safe return home. I'm praying for all of you. You work is much appreciated!

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