Veterans of the 32nd Division recall the year they spent preparing for a potentialCold War conflagration at a 50th anniversary commemoration hosted at the 32ndInfantry Brigade Combat Team headquarters at Camp Williams Oct. 15. 112thMobile Public Affairs Detachment photos by Staff Sgt. Michelle GonzalezStaff Sgt. Michelle Gonzalez112th Mobile Public Affairs DetachmentApproximately 150 veterans of the32nd “Red Arrow” Infantry Division andtheir guests joined <strong>Wisconsin</strong> <strong>National</strong><strong>Guard</strong> leaders and Soldiers assigned tothe 32nd Infantry Brigade Combat Teamat the 32nd Brigade headquarters in CampWilliams, Wis., Oct. 15 to commemorate@easeExpressthe 50th anniversary of the year-longdeployment spent in preparation for the1961 Berlin Crisis.The commemoration includedhistorical displays, video footage from themobilization, modern equipment displays,scrapbook sharing and culminated with aceremony.Continued on Page 33Soldiers assigned to the 32nd InfantryBrigade Combat Team display flagsfrom battalions of the 32nd Divisionin a 50th anniversary commemorationceremony of the Berlin Crisis held atthe 32nd Infantry Brigade CombatTeam headquarters at Camp Williams.32 <strong>November</strong> <strong>2011</strong>-<strong>January</strong> <strong>2012</strong>
Red Arrow commemorates Berlin Crisis anniversaryContinued from Page 32For many veterans, the event wasan opportunity to reconnect withfellow service members and share theirdeployment experience from five decadesago to friends, family and current RedArrow <strong>Guard</strong>smen.“I like to see the guysand reminisce,” said MaumRollie, a Soldier assigned tothe 32nd Division’s 732ndOrdinance Company fromTomah, Wis., as he lookedover a display recounting atrain crash he was a part of.“There are so many ofmy friends in the 32nd whoare gone,” said GeorgeRosholt, a mail clerk forCompany A, 3rd BattleGroup of the 127th Infantryfrom Milwaukee. “I’m lucky to bestanding here today.”In September 1961, the 32nd Divisionreceived notice of possibly serving oneyear of active duty. The division beganmobilizing Oct. 15 of that year andreported to Fort Lewis, Wash., to train.By February 1962, the division wasdeclared Strategic Army Corps whichmeant the 32nd Division was prepared forjoint Army and Air Force deploymentsto any trouble spot in the world on shortnotice.“For that year, it was hellon earth for some Soldiersbut after it all we were readyto deploy at a moment’snotice,” Rosholt said.“The Cuban Missile crisishappened shortly after theBerlin Crisis and I thoughtwe’d be called again,” headded.During the ceremony,<strong>Wisconsin</strong> <strong>Guard</strong> leadershipspoke to the differencesbetween 1961 and <strong>2011</strong> RedArrow Soldiers and applauded the serviceof 32nd Division veterans.“Just like you did 50 years ago,Soldiers spend up to nine months onthe ground executing the most difficultmissions then come home and reintegratelike you did,” said Col. Martin Seifer,32nd Brigade commander. “They try toexplain to their family and friends whythey wanted to go back and in some caseswhy they even considered to serve.”“What you did was magnificent,” saidMaj. Gen. Don Dunbar, adjutant generalof <strong>Wisconsin</strong>. “I’m proud to be associatedwith you. I’m proud to stand here withyou and I thank you for your service.”Above, Staff Sgt. Matthew Ward, CompanyA, 1st Battalion, 128th Infantry inMenomonie, explains weapon systemscurrently used by Soldiers to veterans of the32nd Division during a 50th anniversarycommemoration held at Camp Douglas.112th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment photosby Staff Sgt. Michelle Gonzalez@easeExpressCarl Birk, a rifle platoon sergeantwith Company C, 2nd Battle Group ofthe 128th Infantry during the BerlinCrisis mobilization stands next toStaff Sgt. Mark Langner, HeadquartersCompany, 32nd Infantry BrigadeCombat Team, who is wearing Birk’sold uniform during a 50th anniversarycommemoration at the 32nd Brigadeheadquarters in Camp Williams.33 <strong>November</strong> <strong>2011</strong>-<strong>January</strong> <strong>2012</strong>
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