The Rhinelander Daily News - Online news and information for the Rhinelander, Wisconsin region

On the 11th day of the 11th month the United States commemorates Veterans Day. Across the country and in the Northwoods on this Tuesday, children will sing patriotic hymns, flags will fly and Taps will be played in solemn memory of those who gave the last full measure of devotion.

Amidst the pomp and pageantry of today’s Veterans Day ceremonies, about 110 local citizen soldiers are quickly and quietly preparing to follow in the footsteps of the doughboys and the Greatest Generation — they are preparing to go to war.

According to Sgt. Richard Helm, members of the 951st Sapper Company of Rhinelander and Tomahawk are currently taking part in annual training exercises in preparation for deployment overseas.

“We’re all being trained on stuff we need to know. How to use different vehicles, systems, different communications and electronic devices,” Helm said.

Helm said the members of the 951st normally meet in the summer for annual exercises but that schedule was changed this year because the group is scheduled to leave the Northwoods at the end of the month for Camp Shelby in Hattiesburg, Miss.

A sendoff ceremony for the soldiers of the 951st will be held at Rhinelander High School on Sunday, Nov. 30 at 11 a.m.

Helm said he is not at liberty to say how long the 951st will be in Mississippi or when the group will be sent to the war zone.

According to a September news release from the Wisconsin National Guard, the 951st is headed to Afghanistan.

Helm said about half of the members of the 951st have already been to war once.

The unit, then called Company C, 724th Engineer Battalion, spent about 14 months in Iraq in 2003 and 2004.

Helm said the 951st has been getting ready for this latest mission for about a year and the fact that a number of members already have overseas experience helps in preparing for another deployment.

“We were initially notified last year so we’ve known about this for about a year,” he said.

Helm said in the coming weeks the members of the 951st will pack what will be coming with them to Camp Shelby and get their financial affairs in order. They will also have to work out employment and family matters. The group is lucky in that it is not expected to miss spending the fall holidays at home. The 951st will leave after Thanksgiving and Helm said they expect they will be given some Christmas leave time.

Helm said the members of the 951st will be involved in clearing obstacles and providing other engineering support services when the group reaches its final destination.

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Comments »

Dana Maney wrote on Dec 2, 2008 7:33 PM:

" God bless all of the soldiers and families of the 951st! We are so proud of your dedication, courage and service to our country! We love you so much! Come home safe and soon! "

Angela wrote on Nov 12, 2008 9:21 AM:

" One of the boys on the front page is my son. I ask all of you readers, no matter what your feelings are, please pray for them. Pray that God puts a heage of protection around them all. That he brings them all home safe and healthy. That they can meantly handle the chalenge that they have taken on. That our God be with them mently and physicaly threw it all. "

Brenda wrote on Nov 11, 2008 1:37 PM:

" End This War!!! Many have been over on their 2nd and 3rd time.
There sending over injured ones too with disabilities and some haven't been over at all....

I Say Enough!

My Prayers are with those over serving and for those now going...May God keep You Safe, He's Always With You! "

RH wrote on Nov 11, 2008 11:48 AM:

" God bless all of you! Take care, be safe and know that you are all in our hearts and prayers until the day you return. "

The comments above are from readers. In no way do they represent the views of the Rhinelander Daily News.