Related: Funerals begin for MN military killed in 2 wars
Related: MN mourns deaths of five service members
A memorial service in Basra, Iraq, Monday paid tribute to three members of the Minnesota National Guard who died there last week. It also served as a reminder, to many, of just how long the guard has been serving overseas.
By all accounts, the three fallen soldiers, 20-year-old Spc. James Wertish, of Olivia; 27-year-old Spc. Carlos Wilcox, of Cottage Grove; and 22-year-old Spc. Daniel Drevnick, of Woodbury; wanted to be there.
"The loved being here (and) had a great time here," said Staff Sgt. Blake Hayden, their squad leader. "I can still see the smiles on their faces."
Each of the soldiers was serving his first tour of duty in Iraq. Of the 1,000 members of the 34th "Red Bull" Infantry Division currently serving in Basra, 310 are on their second or third deployment, and 20 are taking their fourth tour of duty.
"I think, if you join the national guard or reserves, or any military service in the modern age, you know that you will likely be deployed to a combat zone," said Capt. Paul Rickert, a guard spokesman.
Some say it's too much
"Obviously, it's too late for those three families - it's too late for a number of families," said Annie McCabe, a member of the group Military Families Speak Out. "And we're going lose more before this is over."
McCabe, whose husband served in Afghanistan, said this is not what the national guard is supposed to be doing. In the past, the so-called "citizen soldiers" were mobilized for civil emergencies, like floods and tornados.
"I think it's a misuse of the national guard," McCabe said of the combat roles.
The Red Bulls, in particular, have had high profiles in Iraq. One of the units served there for 22 months, longer than any other ground combat unit.
In 2007, that unit came home to find their extension orders were written in a way that blocked many from getting G.I. Bill benefits - a mess that took months to work out.
Capt. Rickert said the Red Bulls are honored that they were called on early, and often, to serve.
"We accept that this is our job," he said. "I think that we're very proud of the service that we've been doing."
Fifteen members of the Minnesota National Guard have lost their lives on duty in Iraq.
According to the Associated Press, a total of 82 people with strong Minnesota ties have been killed in Iraq and Afghanistan.
(Copyright 2009 by KARE. All Rights Reserved.)
