2009 Senate Joint Resolution 58
ENROLLED JOINT RESOLUTION
Relating to: honoring the service and safe return of Wisconsin's 32nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team from its deployment in Iraq.
Whereas, the 32nd Brigade, Wisconsin's National Guard team of 3,450 soldiers from communities throughout our state—32nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team Headquarters at Camp Douglas; the 1st Battalion, 120th Field Artillery from Wisconsin Rapids, Marshfield, and Stevens Point; the 2nd Battalion, 127th Infantry from Appleton, Clintonville, Waupun, Ripon, Green Bay, Fond du Lac, and Marinette; the 1st Battalion, 128th Infantry from Eau Claire, Abbotsford, Menomonie, New Richmond, Rice Lake, Arcadia, Onalaska, and River Falls; the 132nd Brigade Support Battalion from Portage, Janesville, Elkhorn, Mauston, Milwaukee, Baraboo, Madison, Waupaca, Appleton, Neillsville, Eau Claire, Mosinee, and Wisconsin Rapids; the Brigade Special Troops Battalion from Wausau, Merrill, Onalaska, Madison, and Antigo; the 1st Squadron, 105th Cavalry from Madison, Fort Atkinson, Watertown, and Reedsburg; the 257th Brigade Support Battalion Headquarters from Oak Creek, Company A from Whitewater, and Company B from Kenosha; and the 108th Forward Support Company from Sussex—will return to their homes and families after a ten-month deployment in Iraq; and
Whereas, the unit was alerted of its mobilization order in late 2007, spent 2008 preparing with intense training at Camp Blanding, Florida and Fort Bliss, Texas, and deployed in 2009 for an active duty mission in Iraq; and
Whereas, the mobilization of the 32nd Brigade involved the largest operational deployment of Wisconsin National Guard forces since World War II; and
Whereas, the soldiers of the 32nd Brigade were organized into 27 company-sized units and rather than operating as a brigade, were tasked with a variety of missions and assignments throughout Iraq including forward operating base administration, base defense, area security, quick reaction forces, detainee guard force and transferring operations, closing the largest internment facility in Iraq, operating training academies for Iraqi corrections officers, securing and administering the International Zone in Baghdad, and turning over U.S.-controlled properties to the government of Iraq; and
Whereas, Wisconsin's National Guard soldiers worked twelve-hour days, week after week for ten months with the Iraqi government, military, and civilian officials to increase security and saw dramatic improvements in Iraq's safety and confidence as a sovereign nation; and
Whereas, the 32nd Brigade proudly served its country and its state with distinction and valor; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the
senate, the assembly concurring, That the legislature of the state of Wisconsin honors and thanks the Wisconsin National Guard for its service and for its safe return to Wisconsin; and
Be it further resolved, That the legislature of the state of Wisconsin honors and thanks the families of the Wisconsin National Guard soldiers, who gave up their sons, daughters, husbands, and wives so they could proudly serve Wisconsin and the United States.
