Press Release - Nat'l. Guard Members Present Flag
OFFICE OF GOV. BILL RITTER, JR.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
THURSDAY, OCT. 9, 2008
CONTACTS:
Craig Bannister, 303.866.6325, craig.bannister@state.co.us
Evan Dreyer, 720.350.8370, evan.dreyer@state.co.us
COLORADO NATIONAL GUARD MEMBERS PRESENT GOV. RITTER WITH AMERICAN FLAG
Gov. Bill Ritter today welcomed soldiers of the 2nd Battalion, 135th Aviation, of the Colorado Army National Guard to the Capitol, where members of the 2/135th presented Gov. Ritter with a flag flown over Iraq in a Blackhawk helicopter.
Led by Lt. Col. Chris Petty, the 2/135th returned home in August 2007 after an 18-month tour in Iraq. The unit, part of Task Force Blackjack, flew more than 5,000 combat missions totaling more than 22,000 flight hours.
"It is important that we honor the public service of the citizen soldiers of the National Guard," Gov. Ritter said. "We owe them and their families a debt of gratitude that can never be fully repaid."
During its time in combat, the battalion became one of the Army's premier air-assault units. It performed more than 100 nighttime combat air-assaults into enemy locations, including moving more than 15,000 troops throughout enemy territory in Iraq. The crews also flew 17 hostages to safety and more than 6,000 patients to critical medical care.
Three Purple Hearts were awarded to members of the unit for their bravery.
After visiting with members of the unit at the Capitol, Lt. Col. Petty presented the Governor with an American flag flown while the battalion was in Iraq.
As commander in chief of the Colorado National Guard, Gov. Ritter visited troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan in December 2007.
Photo Captions:
Governor Ritter poses with Gen. Edwards after presenting him with the Legion of Merit.
Governor Ritter poses with Purple Heart recipient CPT Bryan Munsch of the 2/135th.
Governor Ritter is presented with flag and accompanying certificate by Lt. Col. Petty.