Soldiers in 32nd Infantry Brigade honored in send-off ceremony
Leah Gernetzke
The Pointer
rnech142@uwsp.edu
lgern177@uwsp.edu
On Monday, Dec. 8, 2008, the Veterans Club at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point held a send-off saying goodbye to an estimated 36 soldiers that will be leaving the university for active duty during the early spring months.
There are around 7,700 soldiers in the Wisconsin National Guard and around 3,900 in the 32nd Infantry Brigade alone. Many of the soldiers leaving UW-SP this spring are a portion of this.
One of the student soldiers leaving the university to fight for his country is Elliot Trubee. He said the soldier send-off ceremony from the university was a thoughtful way to recognize those who will be deployed to Iraq soon.
“It acknowledges the soldiers’ send-off; it’s a thanks for doing what you’re doing,” said Trubee. “It’s just a chance for the school to do something for the soldiers; it’s really neat.”
Among the speakers at the ceremony were Veteran Club Secretary Winton Miller, Vice Chancellor Bob Tomlinson and student soldiers Andrew Letson and Phillip Komosa.
Student Government President Katie Kloth and Vice President Erika Wardle also spoke to the audience to emphasize their availability to help the soldiers, both while abroad and upon their return. The two mentioned lobbying for the new GI Bill in 2009.
Kloth said it is equally important to emotionally support and understand what the soldiers are about to embark upon.
ROTC Lieutenant Colonel Jeffrey Kurka, right, conversing before the send-off ceremony.
“At the end of the day, we’re all people, and that’s something we can all relate to,” she said.
Professor of military science, ROTC Lieutenant Colonel Jeffrey Kurka also impacted the crowd with his unique perspective and insight on the soldiers’ role in society.
“I think it’s important to understand the soldiers are people that live up to high standards,” Kurka said. “These are people that have a real investment in their community.”
He said that the soldiers are very often leaders in their schools and communities and that they will be missed.
“They are people that care so much about this nation that they are willing to risk their lives for it,” Kurka said. “Appreciation should not be just for the job they are doing, but for putting their lives on hold.”
The many soldiers deploying will need to put their personal lives on the back burner for a while as they perform their duty for the country. Veteran Coordinator Ann Whipp said that one of the most challenging things for a soldier is waiting for the unknown before them.
“We don’t know, those of us who are not in the military, we don’t know what they experience exactly,” Whipp said. “We need to support them at home when they’re on the way—especially the new guard members who, this is their first deployment and they don’t know what to expect exactly.”
