Ready to go
Sunday, March 4, 2007 12:08 AM PST
Pat Caldwell Argus Observer
ONTARIO
Sgt. John Ogburn scanned the large cardboard container at his feet filled with everything from cables to chemical lights to batteries.
“Eighteen months is the furthest I’ve been called. I’ve been called to active duty before, but never for this long,” he said.
Then he glanced across the open drill floor of the antiquated Ontario Armory.
“I can no longer worry about what is not getting done at home. My focus now has to be the mission,” he said. Ogburn, Ontario, was just one of more than 60 members of Ontario’s Alpha Company, 3rd Battalion, 116th Cavalry (Armor) Oregon Army National Guard reporting for duty Monday. Across Eastern Oregon, Army National Guardsmen reported to an historic “muster” for duty that will include several months of training at Fort Bliss Texas then a deployment overseas, probably to Iraq.
The last time Eastern Oregon Guardsmen mustered for overseas duty as a unit was just before World War II. The 3rd Battalion, and soldiers of Alpha Company, will depart for Fort Bliss this weekend to begin training.
In a way Ogburn personified the attitudes of Alpha Company citizen-soldiers — still getting used to the idea of going on active duty for more than a year but seemingly impatient to get going. Ogburn, along with several other Alpha Company soldiers, was busy Monday morning doing inventory, processing the endless amount of small and large items the unit will need once it leaves the armory. Ogburn, a Snake River Correctional Institution employee in civilian life, said while the deployment will have an impact on his life he also sees a positive feature to the event.
“The best thing, maybe, that will come out of this is the smoldering powder keg that is the Middle East will be safer, safer for all of us,” he said.
Ogburn also said he recognized it is now Alpha Company’s, and in turn the 3rd Battalion’s, turn to do its part in Iraq.
“The guys over there now have done their time. It’s time for them to go home,” he said. Across the drill floor Staff Sgt. Tony Fenicottero, Fruitland, said while he is ready to do his duty, he also realizes the risk involved with a deployment to a combat zone.
“I’m dedicated to the country, to the cause. But I’d be lying to you if I told you I wasn’t scared. I think everyone is somewhat,” Fenicottero said.
At 53, Sgt. Craig Moran, Ontario, will be one of the oldest Guardsmen from the 3rd Battalion to deploy.
Moran worked for the Oregon Department of Agriculture until he was called up for the deployment. Now he said his main focus will be to make sure every member of Alpha Company that deploys overseas comes back. The deployment, Moran said, is also an opportunity to test the skills he and other Guardsmen acquired over the years.
“I’ve been training for this for 19 years,” he said. Moran said the upcoming deployment is also very much about fulfilling an obligation to the country.
“I don’t think anyone wants to go to war but it is my duty as a citizen of the United States. It is a job that has to be done,” he said.
The commander of Alpha Company, Capt. Dominic Kotz said the realization local citizen-soldiers are moving from part-time to full-time, active duty status is gradually beginning to take hold.
“Everyone wants to do whatever is going to get us home quicker, which means putting our heads down, getting it done and doing it well,” he said.
Back out on the drill floor, slowly sifting through the inventory, Ogburn summed up the link between the local Guard unit and the area.
“There is a little bit of everyone here. Ontario, Fruitland, Adrian, Vale, Nyssa,” he said.
