Gov. Gregoire, Major General Timothy Lowenberg welcome home 81st Brigade of the Washington Army National Guard

For Immediate Release: July 29, 2009

FT. LEWIS �Gov. Chris Gregoire joined Major General Timothy J. Lowenberg, families and friends in welcoming home approximately 150 citizen soldiers from the Washington National Guard's 81st Brigade Combat Team. More 81st arrivals are expected to continue throughout the coming weeks.

�It is such a joy to welcome the soldiers home from their harrowing experience fighting for our country,� said Gregoire. �I promised them last summer I would be here to support them and their families and I am honored to do just that.�

The governor and General Lowenberg met soldiers immediately on their arrival on the flight line at McChord Air Force base. From there the soldiers gathered for a welcome home ceremony and to meet their loved ones at the Wilson Gym on North Fort Lewis.

�The 81st accomplished their mission and performed admirably, as we knew they would. We also continue to reflect upon the service of every soldier we have lost, most recently Specialist Samuel Stone. Their memory and dedication to duty will live on with our citizen soldiers forever,� said Major General Timothy J. Lowenberg, the Adjutant General.

The 81st entered federal active duty on August 18, 2008. After conducting pre-deployment training at the Yakima Training Center and Fort McCoy, they deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Missions for 81st units in Iraq typically focused on convoy security, force protection, provincial reconstruction and base operations.

The 81st is headquartered in Seattle, but is comprised of units from around the State of Washington and a battalion from the California Army National Guard. The deployed 81st force included approximately 2,400 soldiers from Washington and about 900 from California. The 81st previously served in Iraq from March 2004 to March 2005.