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CLOUDY Temp: 45 °F Wind: CLM at 0 mph Wednesday, February 19, 2003 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine W3 Magazine Jobs @ Mail Tribune Tempo A & E Oregon CarZone Wellness Connection Real Estate Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend January 25, 2003 Craig Stauffer of Central Point gets a welcome-home hug and kiss from his wife, Sheila, Friday at the Medford Armory. Mail Tribune / Jim Craven MISSION ACCOMPLISHED Returning Guard members glad to see their families, homes, even the rain By PAUL FATTIG Mail Tribune Brig. Gen. Raymond Byrne had some advice for the 250 citizen soldiers who returned from the Sinai on Friday: Be careful. "The most dangerous time is right now, between now and the next two or three weeks," he warned the members of the 1st Battalion, 186th Infantry of the Oregon Army National Guard. "Accidents occur," he added. "Please, please be safe the next couple of weeks as you readapt and get to know each other again." As he addressed the crowd packed into the Medford Armory, soldiers dressed in desert camouflaged uniforms held their spouses in their arms, and tiny tots hugged their long-absent dads — and a few moms who had donned the uniform. Tears of joy and relief trickled down grinning cheeks, marking the end of the first deployment of an Oregon Guard battalion since World War II. The unit, headquartered in Ashland, deployed some 530 citizen soldiers to South Camp near Sharm el Sheikh early last July to serve in the Multinational Force and Observers peacekeeping mission. However, the 1-186th also underwent two months of advanced training at Fort Carson, Colo., before leaving for Egypt. Friday’s arrival followed that of 250 soldiers who returned on Jan. 17. Another 13 soldiers remain at Fort Carson, where they are recovering from various illnesses and injuries. Several others had returned earlier because of deaths in the family or personal problems. For those who returned Friday, reuniting with family was all that was on their minds. Ashland resident Lt. Col. Daniel Cameron, the battalion commander, waded through the waiting crowd as though on a mission. His objective: to rejoin his wife, Joy, and their children. He scooped them into his arms for a long, silent hug. Mission accomplished. It was a scene that played over and over for several hours as buses delivered soldiers who arrived on three different flights at the Medford airport. Rogue River resident Staff Sgt. Ken Outfleet was met by his wife, Helen, sister Susan Outfleet and extended family members. He is the service and parts manager for Dollar GMC in Medford. "The trip was great, physically and mentally," said Ken Outfleet, who previously served in the Army, including a year in the Persian Gulf in the late 1980s when he was first married. Like most returning veterans, he doesn’t believe the 1-186th will be deployed to Iraq should a war begin. "But if the opportunity arose, I would go in a heartbeat," he said. Grants Pass resident 1st Sgt. Chuck Hanger had his arms around his wife, Sheila, and daughters Jessie, 12, and Tiffany, 14. "When we came down to where we could see green mountains and the fog . . . it was fantastic, great," he said. He is a full-time soldier nearing retirement, working out of both Ashland and Grants Pass. For Grants Pass resident 2nd Lt. Nick Dordon, Friday was the day when he could finally return to his bride. He and Sylina were married April 6 of last year, just before he shipped out. "He’s coming home to a house he had never seen before, furniture he has never seen before," his wife said. "We’ve never lived together before." They also have yet to have a honeymoon, she added. "The worst part was being away from home," said her husband, who had a grin as wide as the Rogue River. Maj. Todd Plimpton, the battalion executive officer and an attorney from Lovelock, Nev., was met by his wife, Jill. "The first thing I’m going to do I’ve already done," he said of reuniting with his wife. "The second thing I’m going to do is see my kids. The third thing is watch the Super Bowl." They have four children, including a set of triplets. Full-time guard member Staff Sgt. Chad Lewis of Grants Pass was enjoying the rain as he waited for family members to arrive. "Hey, it makes you feel like you are really back in Oregon," he said. But Lewis, who is not married, wouldn’t mind going to Iraq if needed. "Absolutely," he said. "I wouldn’t think twice about it." In an interview after addressing the troops, Gen. Byrne said those returning from an overseas mission always have to watch their exuberance when first returning home. "They’ve been storing up what they want to do for the last six to eight months," said the commander of the Tigard-based 41st Separate Infantry Brigade (enhanced), which includes the Southern Oregon battalion. "What they do is go out and try to execute these goals all at once: go skiing, go hunting, go driving cross-country to visit somebody," he said. "With enthusiasm, there is sometimes a reduction in common sense. This is a very critical time for them. I want them to keep their heads on straight." But Byrne, a former teacher who served in the U.S. Army before joining the Guard full time, was quick to applaud the battalion for accomplishing its mission. "This is probably the best rotation that has occurred in the Sinai," he said. In addition to their charge of observing and reporting on the Sinai Peninsula, the battalion trained hard, firing more than 300,000 rounds of ammunition, he said. In particular, young NCOs (non- commissioned officers) were able to work closely with their soldiers, he added. "This will pay back the Guard in the long run with well-trained leaders over the next 20 years," he said. "They have developed a real strong team. This is a tight unit. They are really good." Although the battalion is part of the Guard’s combat unit, it’s not likely it will be redeployed soon in the event there is a war with Iraq, Byrne said. "The chances are very remote this organization will be redeployed — these kids are home," he said, then added, "but with every war there are unknowns. Things can happen." At the end of the ceremony, battalion Chaplain Ron McKay, who had returned earlier this month from the Sinai, asked the citizen soldiers and their families to bow their heads. With that, the pastor of the Ruch Community Bible Church prayed for guidance and safety for those gathered in the armory. He also prayed that a war be avoided. "We pray for peace," he concluded. Reach reporter Paul Fattig at 776-4496 or e-mail him at [email protected] Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright 1997-2002 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy webmaster feedback A D V E R T I S E R S