Alaskan Congressman Don Young joined Senator Lisa Murkowski this afternoon at Camp Shelby, Mississippi where they welcomed back the 586 members of the Alaska Army National Guard’s 3rd Battalion, 297th Infantry. The guardsmen have been successfully serving as security forces in northern Kuwait and southern Iraq since October 2006, guarding camps and convoys heading into Iraq. They are comprised of residents from 80 different communities across Alaska including Anchorage, Fairbanks, Kodiak, Soldotna, Kenai, Nome and many Native villages.
“I don’t know about you, but when I hear the Alaska pride song, it brings tears to my eyes,†said Rep. Young appreciatively, as he addressed the crowd. “I am proud of my state and I am equally as proud of you. In the Congress in which I serve in, you hear a lot of rhetoric these days. There is a lot of talk about supporting the troops. Well, you can’t support the troops unless you respect them. And I humbly respect you because you have done your job as you were charged to do so, and as volunteers. You left your families and you went forth and accomplished what you were taught to do.
“It brings me great pride to be here today; great pride to welcome you home. I welcome you back to the United States and to the home that we all love. I am proud of the National Guard. You are the fighting Army. You have done your jobs and done them well, and again I salute you. I am proud of you. God bless.â€
Following the official ceremony, Rep. Young walked through the crowds, meeting with and thanking the guardsmen for their service to their country. This has been the largest call-up of members of the Alaska National Guard since World War II. All 586 guardsmen who were deployed overseas returned home safely.
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