This is a story I did for the Gunnison Valley Gazette, published on June 7, 2007. I'm happy to report that everyone made it home safely. I took the photos at the parade in Manti just before the Unit departed.
To the young men of the 145th: "You represent the very best and brightest that Sanpete County has to offer. As you go to Iraq you not only defend the values that we hold so dear but you bring the hope of freedom and a new life to millions of others. There is no nobler cause. Thank you for your courage and willingness to defend these things with your lives. We love and appreciate you. We know that you will honor yourself, your families, and all that you hold dear. Our prayers go with you. Sincerely, Bruce A. Blackham, Sanpete County Commissioner
Utah National Guard soldiers from the Gunnison valley and throughout Sanpete County reported for active duty Monday, June 4. Battery B of the 1st Batallion's 145th Field Artillery Unit, headquartered in Manti, Utah will train for several days there and at Camp Williams near Bluffdale, Utah then head to Fort Bliss, Texas for more specialized training before moving on to support Operation Iraqi Freedom.
It's the 145th's second deployment since September 11, 2001. Many of the same troops now deploying spent a year supporting Operation Noble Eagle in 2002-03. Their mission then was securing military facilities near Tooele. According to Utah National Guard spokesman Major Hank McIntire, this will be a more of a "detention operation."
"Good Luck" gatherings of support have popped up around the Gunnison valley, including a program in Fayette for that community's seven departing guardsmen, and a luncheon for unit members last week sponsored by ACT Composites in Gunnison.
John and Kathleen Bartholomew of Fayette, Utah have five grandsons serving in the military, and three of them- Jed, Jay, and Ben- are leaving with the 145th. "The way the town has rallied around them, it's just wonderful," Kathleen says. "We're very proud of them. We're not just proud of our grandkids, we're proud of the whole unit."
"We hate to see them go," John said, "but we realize that's part of it and we'll make the best of it."
Jed and Jay are the sons of Scott and Lila Bartholomew; Ben is the son of Keith and Delene Bartholomew. A sense of duty runs in the family. Jed and Jay's sister Lisa just graduated with honors from Gunnison Valley High School. "She had so many scholarship offers," grandmother Kathleen says, "but she decided she wanted to stay close to home and help out on the farm, so she's going to Snow College."
Lisa says she's sad to see her brothers leave. "But what they're doing is important, and i'm really proud of them," she said.
Lila says her twenty year old son Jay was preparing to serve a mission for the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints when word came that the 145th would deploy. Jay told her that his duty at this time is with the Guard. It's that kind of attitude that boosts Lila's spirits. "There are a lot of ups and downs," she says. "But the boys are so positive, and that helps me out."
Scott echoes Lila's feelings. "I'm okay with it and i'm proud of them, but at the same time I have concerns," he said.
Jay says it will be great to have his brother Jed and cousin Ben along and understands how his family feels. "It's hard on the families," Jay said. "But it's a good thing to serve my country and defend freedom. And I have confidence in the guys I serve with." The family is on hand to help out Jed's wife Mandy and their two year old son Taylor.
Jay also says it'll be good to have an experienced soldier like Centerfield's Brady McDonald on this mission. This is McDonald's third tour of duty. He was in Tooele with the 145th, and served in Iraq with the 148th Field Artillery. He didn't have to go this time, but volunteered anyway.
"Its hard to explain," McDonald said. "A lot of it is that there's something pretty special about these guys. I told them that if they went, i'd be back. They're some of my best friends. Actually, they're like my other family. It would be hard to be there with negative people, but I feel comfortable with what we're doing and i'm confident in the guys i'll be serving with."
During his first mission to Iraq, McDonald saw a lot of the country. In the Kirkuk area, his unit supplied Iraqi's in charge of guarding oil pipelines as part of the Oil Security Batallion, helping them get things like boots, radios, and other equipment.
In Tikrit, McDonald's unit helped secure running water and medical supplies until the Iraqi's became more independent there. In another area, his unit monitored the Iran-Iraq border; in another they provided security for convoys from Kuwait.
The hardest part of the mission for McDonald is being away from his family- wife Kayla and his kids, three year old Hadlee and four month old Houston. But he's grateful for the folks in the valley. "I'd like to thank the people of the community," he said. "Everyone has been so supportive and understanding. It's been great."
Here are a few comments gathered from local folks over the last few days:
"My brother Jayde is going. Good luck to him and all my friends. Stay safe." -Tyler Christiansen, who's in the guard himself, serving with the 1457th Engineering Batallion.
"Good luck to all the guys. My brother Craig (Brown) is going." -Maren Brown
"We fully support the boys. Our son-in-law, Rick Lynn, has been over there twice. So we're behind them all the way." -Karen Jensen. Karen's husband Mardy says Rick did a tour in Afghanistan, then came home for nine months before going to Iraq. He's due home in September.
"I'd like to tell you all good luck." -Brooke Allred
"I want to tell you good luck also. And I pray for your families." -Janette Desersa
"Good Luck. We love you. We're behind you 100 percent and look forward to your return home soon." -Kristine Jensen
"We wish you the best. We're thinking about you, we love ya, and come home safe." -Janell Braithwaite
"We're proud of your sacrifice and your efforts. We look forward to seeing you all after a successful tour of duty." -Bret Ashton,
"I'm proud of you for serving our country. I wish you a lot of luck. I hope things go well for you and i'm looking forward to seeing you back home safe." -Kirk Anderson
"We've got the greatest soldiers here. We're proud of you and we wish you well." -State Senator Darin Peterson of Nephi, who finds himself suddenly more involved since his daughter is dating a member of the unit.
Note: Thanks to you folks for your comments and for supporting the troops. And thanks to Sanpete County Commissioner Bruce A. Blackham for his powerful opening statement.
Utah National Guard soldiers from the Gunnison valley and throughout Sanpete County reported for active duty Monday, June 4. Battery B of the 1st Batallion's 145th Field Artillery Unit, headquartered in Manti, Utah will train for several days there and at Camp Williams near Bluffdale, Utah then head to Fort Bliss, Texas for more specialized training before moving on to support Operation Iraqi Freedom.
It's the 145th's second deployment since September 11, 2001. Many of the same troops now deploying spent a year supporting Operation Noble Eagle in 2002-03. Their mission then was securing military facilities near Tooele. According to Utah National Guard spokesman Major Hank McIntire, this will be a more of a "detention operation."
"Good Luck" gatherings of support have popped up around the Gunnison valley, including a program in Fayette for that community's seven departing guardsmen, and a luncheon for unit members last week sponsored by ACT Composites in Gunnison.
John and Kathleen Bartholomew of Fayette, Utah have five grandsons serving in the military, and three of them- Jed, Jay, and Ben- are leaving with the 145th. "The way the town has rallied around them, it's just wonderful," Kathleen says. "We're very proud of them. We're not just proud of our grandkids, we're proud of the whole unit."
"We hate to see them go," John said, "but we realize that's part of it and we'll make the best of it."
Jed and Jay are the sons of Scott and Lila Bartholomew; Ben is the son of Keith and Delene Bartholomew. A sense of duty runs in the family. Jed and Jay's sister Lisa just graduated with honors from Gunnison Valley High School. "She had so many scholarship offers," grandmother Kathleen says, "but she decided she wanted to stay close to home and help out on the farm, so she's going to Snow College."
Lisa says she's sad to see her brothers leave. "But what they're doing is important, and i'm really proud of them," she said.
Lila says her twenty year old son Jay was preparing to serve a mission for the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints when word came that the 145th would deploy. Jay told her that his duty at this time is with the Guard. It's that kind of attitude that boosts Lila's spirits. "There are a lot of ups and downs," she says. "But the boys are so positive, and that helps me out."
Scott echoes Lila's feelings. "I'm okay with it and i'm proud of them, but at the same time I have concerns," he said.
Jay says it will be great to have his brother Jed and cousin Ben along and understands how his family feels. "It's hard on the families," Jay said. "But it's a good thing to serve my country and defend freedom. And I have confidence in the guys I serve with." The family is on hand to help out Jed's wife Mandy and their two year old son Taylor.
Jay also says it'll be good to have an experienced soldier like Centerfield's Brady McDonald on this mission. This is McDonald's third tour of duty. He was in Tooele with the 145th, and served in Iraq with the 148th Field Artillery. He didn't have to go this time, but volunteered anyway.
"Its hard to explain," McDonald said. "A lot of it is that there's something pretty special about these guys. I told them that if they went, i'd be back. They're some of my best friends. Actually, they're like my other family. It would be hard to be there with negative people, but I feel comfortable with what we're doing and i'm confident in the guys i'll be serving with."
During his first mission to Iraq, McDonald saw a lot of the country. In the Kirkuk area, his unit supplied Iraqi's in charge of guarding oil pipelines as part of the Oil Security Batallion, helping them get things like boots, radios, and other equipment.
In Tikrit, McDonald's unit helped secure running water and medical supplies until the Iraqi's became more independent there. In another area, his unit monitored the Iran-Iraq border; in another they provided security for convoys from Kuwait.
The hardest part of the mission for McDonald is being away from his family- wife Kayla and his kids, three year old Hadlee and four month old Houston. But he's grateful for the folks in the valley. "I'd like to thank the people of the community," he said. "Everyone has been so supportive and understanding. It's been great."
There's a unit fireside for the troops and their families in Manti Sunday night at the LDS stake center there. Gunnison Stake President Curtis Anderson will deliver a message of support. "As a community, we pledge to support their families so they can serve with confidence," Anderson says.
Here are a few comments gathered from local folks over the last few days:
"My brother Jayde is going. Good luck to him and all my friends. Stay safe." -Tyler Christiansen, who's in the guard himself, serving with the 1457th Engineering Batallion.
"Good luck to all the guys. My brother Craig (Brown) is going." -Maren Brown
"We fully support the boys. Our son-in-law, Rick Lynn, has been over there twice. So we're behind them all the way." -Karen Jensen. Karen's husband Mardy says Rick did a tour in Afghanistan, then came home for nine months before going to Iraq. He's due home in September.
"I'd like to tell you all good luck." -Brooke Allred
"I want to tell you good luck also. And I pray for your families." -Janette Desersa
"Good Luck. We love you. We're behind you 100 percent and look forward to your return home soon." -Kristine Jensen
"We wish you the best. We're thinking about you, we love ya, and come home safe." -Janell Braithwaite
"We're proud of your sacrifice and your efforts. We look forward to seeing you all after a successful tour of duty." -Bret Ashton,
"I'm proud of you for serving our country. I wish you a lot of luck. I hope things go well for you and i'm looking forward to seeing you back home safe." -Kirk Anderson
"We've got the greatest soldiers here. We're proud of you and we wish you well." -State Senator Darin Peterson of Nephi, who finds himself suddenly more involved since his daughter is dating a member of the unit.
Note: Thanks to you folks for your comments and for supporting the troops. And thanks to Sanpete County Commissioner Bruce A. Blackham for his powerful opening statement.
