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American Military News
4 days ago
- General
- American Military News
Families send off Iowa National Guard soldiers in Iowa City for yearlong deployment
During his yearlong deployment with the Iowa National Guard, Jason Vogel will miss the birth of his first biological child. But in the sacrifice, he also is achieving a lifelong goal of serving his country overseas. Vogel reenlisted after more than a decade in the National Guard for the opportunity to deploy and 'support our country one last time before I hang up my boots,' he said. The Iowa National Guard is holding 24 community-based send-off ceremonies Wednesday through Friday this week in honor of about 1,800 Iowa soldiers deploying to the Middle East. Vogel, of Ames, is one of 103 troops in the 133rd Infantry, B Company, sent off Wednesday from the Melrose Readiness Center in Iowa City. The soldiers will support Operation Inherent Resolve, a military operation to combat the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria. The soldiers will contribute to the operation by joining coalition forces to provide security, support partner nations and assist efforts to maintain stability in the region, according to the Iowa National Guard. Another send-off ceremony will be held in Cedar Rapids at 2 p.m. Thursday at the Cedar Rapids Armory for nine soldiers. An additional 105 soldiers will be sent off during a ceremony at 5 p.m. Friday at the Armory in Cedar Rapids. B Company began their journey to Louisiana Wednesday evening where they will receive training for about a month before continuing to the countries of Kuwait, Iraq or Syria, Capt. Brandon Donoho said. Donoho said the send-off ceremony is 'a first step on a path that leads us home.' The families of the soldiers have 'our eternal gratitude,' he said. 'We're going to protect the force, we're going to complete the mission, and we're going to come home … We have trained for this, and we are ready. We have a proud legacy to continue, and I know we will not fail,' Donohue said. Retired Sgt. Leo Pins — who deployed four times when he was in the service — urged the soldiers to write letters home. 'They will keep that with them forever,' he said. 'Know that your soldiers will be taking care of each other. They'll be watching out for each other,' Pins said during the ceremony. Vogel's wife, Allyson Vogel, said it was one of her biggest fears that he would be deployed during the birth of their child, a girl they plan to name Evelyn. 'God has a sense of humor,' she said. Allyson said she is trying to continue 'calmly and carefully,' remaining strong for her two children — Jason Vogel's stepchildren — Connor Rhodes, 7, and Johanna Glauner, 3. 'If I break down and just completely lose it, I don't want to scare them,' Allyson said. Allyson said she is 'putting my trust in God,' engaging in support groups for families of deployed soldiers and reminding her husband that he has a family who loves him and expects him to return home safely. Devon Kregel, of North Liberty, hugged his five-month-old son Jameson close ahead of the send-off ceremony. His wife Addison and son Logan, 8, also gathered near him. 'I'm excited to go. It obviously stinks leaving the little ones, but it's what we signed up for,' he said. Valerie and Eric Key, of Marion, tearfully said goodbye to their son Ryan Key, 19, who is deploying. Valerie said she's nervous and proud. Jerrell Hinson, 19, of Tiffin, said he's overwhelmed to be deploying. 'It's sad, leaving. But I know I'm doing it for a good cause,' he said. ___ © 2025 The Gazette Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Scoop
25-04-2025
- General
- Scoop
Why This Rural Town Expects A ‘Big Crowd' At Its Special Anzac Day Service
Hundreds of people are expected to attend a Reporoa Anzac Day service where a photo wall unveiling will celebrate returned servicemen settler families. Alan Wills was among the small group of locals who for the past 18 months researched and worked on a photographic memorial wall for the community near Rotorua. The 230 frames celebrate returned servicemen who settled in the area following both world wars, the Korean and Vietnam wars. This year marks 80 years since World War II ended. Wills said the Reporoa Memorial Hall closed about 18 months ago for repair works. The plan was for the hall to be accessible on Anzac Day and in the days before so the wall could be arranged. Among those being remembered was Reporoa's Private Henare Reweti, killed at the age of 29 in Crete, Greece, in May 1941. He was in B Company of the 28th Māori Battalion. Wills said a big crowd of between 500 and 600 people was expected. The crowd would include people from Australia and around New Zealand, as well as residents and the families of those framed. Wills described the post-war Reporoa population boom as he explained the significance of the unveiling. After both world wars, an influx of families ventured into farming and in the 1950s and early 1960s, 170 families moved to the Reporoa area. Wills said they laid the foundation stones for the current community. "They'd be amazed at the development of the area." Industry had grown in the area, Wills said. So had the number of sealed roads, and there was good schooling. Mataarae Marae will host a 9am service held at Mataarae Marae today. At 9.45am a march will proceed from the Reporoa Primary School to the hall, where the service including the unveiling will begin at 10.15am. A book including the photos and information of each serviceman and woman will be available for purchase. A set of new blinds will hang above the frames in the hall to help viewers beat the glare from the north-facing windows above, thanks to a Rotorua Lakes Council Rural Community Board decision. Monday's board decision was to allocate $4358 of devolved funding for the purchase and installation of the blinds. Other funding decisions at the meeting included reallocating $5000 for commercial heat pumps at the Reporoa hall, where repairs are incomplete, to the Mamaku War Memorial Hall. This would be used as needed if the cost went above the $14,240 already allocated and the $6242 it added to be allocated from its 2025/2026 budget. A decision on funding heat pumps at the Reporoa hall would be made at a later date.
The Spinoff
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Spinoff
The Friday Poem: ‘Te Hono ki Īhipa' by Aperahama Hurihanganui
A new poem by Aperahama Hurihanganui, about the name of Aperahama and Abby Hauraki's three-year-old son, Te Hono ki Īhipa (which translates to 'The Connection to Egypt'). Te Hono ki Īhipa what's in a name? te hono – the connection to your tīpuna, valiant soldiers of the 28th Māori Battalion Te Hokowhitu a Tū te hono – the connection to their stories, the history their mischief and hard-case banter the bond between young māori men who lied about their age for an overseas trip te hono – the connection to their bravery, their triumph in battle even the enemy remarked 'give me the māori battalion and i will conquer the world' te hono – the connection to the war heroes, like Ngarimu VC to the last survivor, Koro Bom Gillies who we tell stories and sing about te hono – the connection to the pain and despair of māoridom who lost rangatira of mothers who lost sons children who lost fathers wives who lost husbands who read their handwritten letters 'i want to come home…kiss our babies goodnight' Te Hono ki Īhipa – The Connection to Egypt to the El Alamein War Cemetery the final resting place of your koroua Private Jim Hauraki of the A Company 'gum diggers' and Private Kapuaiwaho Hurihanganui of the B Company 'penny divers' who live on in your name
NZ Herald
24-04-2025
- General
- NZ Herald
Anzac Day in Reporoa to feature unveiling of settler families' photo wall
Wills said the Reporoa Memorial Hall closed about 18 months ago for repair works. The plan was for the hall to be accessible on Anzac Day and in the days before so the wall could be arranged. Among those remembered was Reporoa's Private Henare Reweti, killed aged 29 in Crete, Greece, in May 1941. He was in B Company of the 28th Māori Battalion. Wills said a big crowd between 500 and 600 people were expected. The crowd would include people from Australia and around New Zealand, as well as locals and the families of those framed. Wills described the post-war Reporoa population boom as he explained the significance of the unveiling. After both world wars, an influx of families ventured into farming and in the 1950s and early 1960s, 170 families moved to the Reporoa area. Wills said they laid the foundation stones for the current community. 'They'd be amazed at the development of the area.' Industry had grown in the area, Wills said. So had the number of sealed roads, and there was good schooling. Mataarae Marae will host a 9am service held at Mataarae Marae today. At 9.45am a march will proceed from the Reporoa Primary School to the hall, where the service including the unveiling will begin at 10.15am. A book including the photos and information of each serviceman and woman will be available for purchase. A set of new blinds will hang above the frames in the hall to help viewers beat the glare from the north-facing windows above, thanks to a Rotorua Lakes Council Rural Community Board decision. Monday's board decision was to allocate $4358 of devolved funding for the purchase and installation of the blinds. Other funding decisions at the meeting included reallocating $5000 for commercial heat pumps at the Reporoa hall, where repairs are incomplete, to the Mamaku War Memorial Hall. This would be used as needed if the cost went above the $14,240 already allocated and the $6242 it added to be allocated from its 2025/2026 budget. A decision on funding heat pumps at the Reporoa hall would be made at a later date.
CBS News
30-01-2025
- General
- CBS News
South Florida airports impacted by plane crash near Washington D.C.
MIAMI - The plane crash near Washington D.C. is impacting flights at South Florida's airports. Thursday morning, flights into and out of Ronald Reagan International Airport were canceled. The airport, which closed at 9 p.m. Wednesday will remain that way through at least 11 a.m. Passengers are being met with signs that read "Due to an emergency situation, all flights are being held on the airfield" and additional information will be available as it is received. Wednesday evening, American Eagle Flight No. 5342, a regional jetliner carrying 60 passengers and four crew members, and a Black Hawk helicopter collided in midair and crashed into the Potomac River near the airport. The plane had taken off from Wichita, Kansas. The helicopter was on a training flight and had belonged to B Company, 12th Aviation Battalion out of Fort Belvoir in Virginia, Joint Task Force-National Capitol Region media chief Heather Chairez told CBS News.
