[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 162 (Wednesday, October 24, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2234-E2235]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




INTRODUCTION OF RESOLUTION ON COMMENDING THE ALASKA ARMY NATIONAL GUARD 
 FOR ITS SERVICE TO THE STATE OF ALASKA AND THE CITIZENS OF THE UNITED 
                                 STATES

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. DON YOUNG

                               of alaska

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 24, 2007

  Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor 586 members 
of the Alaska Army National Guard's 3rd Battalion, 297th Infantry who 
recently returned from their yearlong deployment to southern Iraq and 
Kuwait. 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. The guardsmen come from all over my 
State, with members of the unit hailing from 80 different communities 
across Alaska including Anchorage, Fairbanks, Kodiak, Soldotna, Kenai, 
Nome, and many native villages. The unit also included National 
Guardsmen from New York, Mississippi, Illinois, Georgia, and Puerto 
Rico.

[[Page E2235]]

  This was the largest deployment of the Alaska National Guard since 
World War II and thankfully all 586 guardsmen who were deployed 
overseas returned home safely. Many of these guardsmen had never left 
Alaska prior to joining the National Guard, but none hesitated to serve 
their country.
  As I told the National Guardsmen at their welcome home ceremony at 
Camp Shelby, Mississippi, ``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.''
  I truly believe that the importance of the National Guard to our 
country cannot be overstated, which is why it is important that we 
honor these citizen-soldiers. For this reason I am introducing the 
following resolution to honor these Guardsmen for their outstanding 
service to our country.

                            H. Con. Res. 240

       Whereas the 3rd Battalion, 297th Infantry of the Alaska 
     Army National Guard deployment of almost 600 Alaskans was the 
     largest deployment of the Alaska National Guard since World 
     War II;
       Whereas the Alaskans of the 3rd Battalion, 297th Infantry 
     came from 80 different communities across Alaska;
       Whereas the 3rd Battalion, 297th Infantry included 75 
     soldiers from New York, Mississippi, Illinois, Georgia and 
     Puerto Rico;
       Whereas the 586 soldiers of the 3rd Battalion, 297th 
     Infantry were mobilized in July of 2006 and deployed to Camp 
     Shelby, Mississippi;
       Whereas the 3rd Battalion, 297th Infantry was deployed to 
     Camp Navstar and Camp Buehring in Northern Kuwait;
       Whereas the 3rd Battalion, 297th Infantry courageously 
     performed route and perimeter security missions, mounted 
     combat patrols and inspections and searches of vehicles going 
     into Iraq from Kuwait, among other assignments;
       Whereas the 3rd Battalion, 297th Infantry, over the course 
     of 15 months in Kuwait and Iraq, inspected and searched over 
     30,000 semi-trucks;
       Whereas the 3rd Battalion, 297th Infantry designed all 
     force protection plans in northern Kuwait;
       Whereas the families of the members of the 3rd Battalion, 
     297th Infantry have provided unwavering support while waiting 
     patiently for their loved ones to return;
       Whereas the employers of members and family members of the 
     3rd Battalion, 297th Infantry have displayed patriotism over 
     profit, by keeping positions saved for the returning soldiers 
     and supporting the families during the difficult days of this 
     long deployment, and these employers are great corporate 
     citizens through their support of members of the Armed Forces 
     and their family members;
       Whereas the 3rd Battalion, 297th Infantry has performed 
     admirably and courageously; gaining the gratitude and respect 
     of Alaskans and all Americans; and
       Whereas members of the 3rd Battalion, 297th Infantry 
     received 7 Bronze Stars, 23 Meritorious Service Medals, 142 
     Army Commendations and more than 200 Army Achievement Medals 
     for their outstanding service: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
     concurring), That Congress--
       (1) commends the 3rd Battalion, 297th Infantry of the 
     Alaska Army National Guard upon its completion of deployment 
     and brave service to the Commonwealth of Alaska and the 
     citizens of the United States; and
       (2) directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to 
     transmit a copy of this resolution to the Adjutant General of 
     the Alaska National Guard for appropriate display.

                          ____________________