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Reservists go from ground zero to battle grounds

Army News Service

Release Date: 9/11/2003

By Master Sgt. Bob Haskell and Spc. Rachel Brune

WASHINGTON (Army News Service, Sept. 11, 2003) - The War on Terror battlefields are littered with reserve-component troops who wept at ground zero Sept. 11, 2001, but are now spending the second anniversary in theaters of operation.

Capt. Josef Pruden, a National Guard soldier, who is also a New York City firefighter, was on duty at his firehouse in South Jamaica, Queens, when terrorists attacked that day. He is now serving in Kuwait City.

Capt. Martin J. Steiger has flown the New York Police Department flag in six countries throughout his two-year deployment in Operation Enduring Freedom.

Steiger, a sergeant with the NYPD narcotics division, and an Army Reserve officer, was activated Jan. 1, 2002. He has served in theater with the 800th MP Brigade, and as liaison officer for the Coalition Forces Land Component Command Provost Marshal's Office. He's on his way home soon to return the flag embroidered: "NYPD Gone but not forgotten. 9-11-01."

Pruden is now among 29,000 members of the National Guard on duty in Iraq and Kuwait and 128,568 reserve-component soldiers currently on active duty. They are serving with other U.S. service members and with troops from other coalition countries determined to stamp out terrorism.

Other Guard soldiers serving alongside Pruden said they are taking their part in that war seriously, even if it means they may have to remain in the country for 12 months, which is longer than they had originally expected.

"If we've got to stay here, it's our responsibility, because we signed that contract," said Alabama Guard Spc. Stephen Davis after singing the "My Country, 'Tis of Thee" solo, backed up by a Gospel choir, during a Sept. 11 memorial service in Kuwait.

"I believe it's important to give people over here the freedom that we have in the states and to help straighten out a country that was in a bad situation," added Davis.

The Army recently announced that tours of duty for National Guard and Army Reserve soldiers serving in the Persian Gulf will be extended to one full year "on the ground."

"We are where we are today because of what took place two years ago," said Brig. Gen. Michael Diamond, commanding general of the 377th Theater Support Command (Forward) and one of the principle speakers during the service.

"Freedom-loving people do not wish to live in a society filled with terror and destruction," Diamond added. "We are and we must take the fight to the enemy. If not, we will find them invading our country, our families and our loved ones back home."

Coalition forces have already lost 259 people during operations in Iraq, Afghanistan and in the Philippines, Diamond pointed out.

(Editor's note: A submission by Master Sgt. Bob Haskell and one by Spc. Rachel Brune were merged to form this article)