Sisters sends servicemen to war zones

In 1973, the draft ended and the US converted to an all-volunteer military - and its ranks are full. Data for FY 2007 recruitment statistics records 100-percent-plus of goals attained and thus far for FY 2008 all branches, reserve and active, are at 100 percent-plus according to Department of Defense records.

Who are these brave souls who enlist during a time of war? They are our very own.

Sisters High School can claim to have educated most of them. Businesses across our town have employed some of them and you've lived next door to them.

Every troop from Sisters has returned from deployment alive and with a strong beating heart.

There are 18 active troops from Sisters. Of those 18 troops, five are currently deployed (Pvt. 2 Joe Kettering-Army, Spc. Cory Macauley-Army, Sgt. John Roberts-Army, Pvt. 2 Russell McKettrick-Army, and A1C Jonathan Santiago-Air Force).

One returned from deployment in early November (Sgt. Jake Merrell-Marines), two readying for deployment in early 2009 (Lance Corporal Lloyd Jeffers-Marines and 1st Lt. Justin Robson).

Sisters currently has one in boot camp (Tyler Trask-Navy) and one readying to leave for boot camp in January 2009 (Josh Marr-Marines).

Of the 18 most have had multiple deployments and several have re-enlisted. Furthermore, interest at Sisters High School is high this year for enlistment.

Qualifications to enlist are stringent; not just anyone can be one of our troops.

While a commitment to country was at the top of the list for each of our troops when they enlisted, it took determination and fortitude to continue on. The physical and mental challenges are endless, the loneliness is ever present, and the resolve to submit to orders and deal with rank can be an ongoing test of the will.

Yet each one has received in return the knowledge from experience that they can handle more than they ever knew, that they are stronger and braver than they had once thought of themselves, and their bond to their fellow soldier is unbreakable.

This is evident in the numerous veterans who call Sisters home. Ever seen Bob Grooney put up the American flag in the morning before he opens The Gallimaufry? Don't think for an instant that his time in the battle for Iwo Jima is far from his mind.

In the two send-off events that the Military Parents of Sisters have hosted this year for recruits heading off to boot camp, the veterans have come out in large numbers. They form an alley of "Those Who Have Served Before You" for the recruits to walk through. And each vet stands straighter than the day before with their thumbs locked behind their pant seams in a silent tribute to a part of them most of us will never see, the part that is deeply ingrained in their souls, the part that has changed them forever.

Several of the troops that are home from deployment will be spending Christmas in Sisters. The Military Parents of Sisters is hosting a brief get-together time for all those troops to visit together and then open it up to the community to visit with them.

They will meet in the new community room inside Ray's Food Place. The time will be announced in a future edition of The Nugget as we learn the exact date that will work best for these troops.

RE/MAX Town & Country Realty's employees have put on a company wide care package program to send to our deployed troops and their families.

Bank of the Cascades is facilitating donations from the community for care packages to our troops.

If you are eager to uphold the spirit of these brave souls far from home contact Bank of the Cascades at 272 E. Main Ave., 549-2061 with prepackaged snacks (i.e.: power bars and jerky), letters, DVDs, books, magazines, children's drawings, etc. by December 12.

If you know of a troop from Sisters and are not sure they have been counted in the 18 above, please contact the Military Parents of Sisters 410-8125 to include them in their database.