Deployment Farewell
Event to honor departing soldiers this Saturday
By David Peck
A very special event to honor local soldiers soon to be deployed oversees will be held amid the festivities of the Main Street Mingle this Saturday.
An Open House Deployment Farewell will be held Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Bair family’s MJ (Michael Jordan) Court, 1050 Shoshone Ave.
Organizer Stacy Bair said the event was organized to honor six Big Horn County soldiers who are soon to deploy, as well as all other Wyoming soldiers currently deployed.
“I know the community wants to come together, show their support and celebrate these men and women. We want to provide an opportunity for this to happen,” Bair said. “1SG Derek Leonhardt has been a huge help in planning this event and was especially excited about honoring the five other soldiers deploying with him. Bruce Jolley, Linda Morrison, Ed Allred and SFC Steven Allred are among the many people who have helped, along with Miller’s Fabrication. They are providing a crane from which to hang an American flag.
“The event will also honor those already deployed. I’d like to encourage groups like schools, church groups and co-workers to put together care packages and send them oversees. I think everyone wants to show support; they just need some ideas on how they can. At the event you will be able to collect the military mailing addresses for these six soldiers. You will also be able to collect the address for all units (and the number of personnel assigned) currently deployed and some tips on what items soldiers typically love to see in care packages.”
The Bairs will provide cake, and Bair said Bob Acton is generously providing food for the military personnel and their families. G1 Colonel Cole Kelly and other leadership from Wyoming Army National Guard headquarters in Cheyenne will be attending, along with Allred and members of the Strength Maintenance Team, to show their support.
The soldiers being honored are:
SSG William Anderson – Cowley
SPC Nicole Hall – Lovell
WO1 Stuart Harmon – Powell
SPC Dylan Langston – Lovell
1SG Derek Leonhardt – Lovell
SSG Brett Tillery – Cody
“It’s so important to take the time to recognize that these deployments are still happening and to acknowledge the sacrifices these soldiers and their families are making,” Bair said.