News Releases for January 2005
January 25, 2005
Contact: Rob Keller, (701) 333-2006
Governor, Adjutant General Announce Return And Welcoming Plans For 141st Engineer Combat Battalion
BISMARCK, N.D. - Gov. John Hoeven today extended a warm welcome to the men and women of the 141st Engineer Combat Battalion (ECB), who are scheduled to return home to North Dakota sometime in February after serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
"Over the next month, we will be welcoming home some real heroes, the brave men and women of the 141st Engineer Combat Battalion," Hoeven said. "They have served with courage, honor and real distinction. North Dakotans across our state join with us today in saying, ‘Thank you for your sacrifices, and a job well done.'"
Hoeven asked North Dakota National Guard Adjutant General Michael J. Haugen to work with the Guard and families to set up official ceremonies to honor all returning National Guard members and welcome them home. Haugen said the best way to do that was for the public to first allow the soldiers to get re-acclimated with their families after such a long separation. "Our first priority is to get the soldiers into the arms of their loved ones as soon as possible."
Official ceremonies in communities across the state will be set up once they all return home. Haugen said the men and women have worked very hard under very stressful circumstances and have performed their duties in a faraway land in an exemplary manner.
"One year ago, America called upon these fine men and women to do what needed to be done," Haugen said. "They've completed a very difficult mission, and they've done it very well. They were extremely well trained and very versatile in what they did in Iraq. It just shows the skills each of these soldiers has and their capabilities to perform the Task Force Trailblazer mission."
Hoeven and Haugen also expressed their gratitude to the family, friends and communities who have stood behind these soldiers. "You represent another valuable asset and have served your country honorably," Haugen said. "You will be the focus upon their return. Thank you for your love and sacrifice for your soldiers."
The 475 members of the 141st ECB were mobilized on Dec. 18, 2003, and started their one-year ‘boots on ground' timetable on Feb. 14, 2004.
Since assuming the Trailblazer mission in March 2004, 141 ECB soldiers have covered more than 400,000 kilometers on their patrols through north-central Iraq - the equivalent of traveling from the Earth to the moon.
Trailblazer is conducted by A Company, which is comprised of soldiers from the 164th Engineer Combat Battalion out of Williston and Dickinson; B Company, which is based in Jamestown; and C Company, which is based in Bismarck with detachments in Mott and Hettinger. Headquarters and Headquarters Company supports Trailblazer elements and is based in Valley City.
One other unit currently remains in Iraq. The 188th Air Defense Artillery Battery F with 100 soldiers was mobilized on June 28, 2004, and is currently stationed near Kirkuk, Iraq.
While announcing the return of the 141st, Hoeven also acknowledged the deaths of four soldiers from that battalion who lost their lives in Iraq: Spc. James J. Holmes, Spc. Philip Brown, Staff Sgt. Lance J. Koenig and Spc. Cody Wentz.
"James, Philip, Lance and Cody made the ultimate sacrifice on our behalf and we must never forget them and the great contribution they made to our state and our nation," Hoeven said. "As we begin to welcome home the brave men and women of the 141st, we should all pause to remember the hardship on the families and loved ones of those who gave their all. Our hearts and prayers go out to them."
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