Soldiers on track for future service
Date: June 25, 2009
By Senior Airman Ryan Kuntze
18th Air Refueling Wing
Five soldiers from the Wisconsin Army National Guard's 157th Maneuver
Enhancement Brigade, headquartered in Milwaukee, extended their enlistments
during a public ceremony Saturday, June 20 at the Milwaukee Mile.
Col. Mark Michie, commander of the 157th Brigade, presided over the reenlistment
ceremony for Spc. Joshua Zimmerman, Sgt. Ryan Zinkle, Sgt.
Kenneth Hudson, Sgt. James Tobin and Sgt. 1st Class Timothy Keeler. The
132nd Army Marching Band set the mood for the ceremony with service-specific
songs and other marching music.
"These soldiers came from the community," Michie said. "I think it's good to
show the community we care. They deserve that much."
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Click For High-Resolution Photos
Col. Mark Michie, commander of the 157th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade,
administers the oath of enlistment to five brigade soldiers at the Milwaukee Mile
NASCAR race in West Allis, Saturday, June 20. The soldiers re-enlisted before
the race started, and were later present for the singing of the National Anthem
and a fly-over of four UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters. Wisconsin National Guard
photo by Senior Airman Ryan Kuntze
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The event began with the 132nd Army Rock Band playing music by Avril
Lavigne, Green Day, Audioslave and Jimi Hendrix. As the stadium slowly filled
with race fans, the 132nd Army Marching Band marched forward, a veritable sea
of camouflaged brass moving toward a stage set at the finish line.
With the band facing the crowd, Michie and the soldiers assembled on the stage.
The ceremony was broadcast over loudspeakers as the soldiers, right hands
raised, repeated the oath of enlistment.
The ceremony ended to the sound of applause, the band marched off the track,
and the soldiers assembled with other senior Army members for the National
Anthem. The last notes of the National Anthem blended with the distant thump
of rotors as four Army UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters flew over the gathered
soldiers, who held their salute as the crowd stood in silence.
The soldiers went their separate ways moments later, and the NASCAR
National-series race had its official start.
"These soldiers are the next best generation," Michie said. "It's important that
we recognize their re-enlistment."
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