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Iowa National Guard C Troop, 1-113th Cavalry members arrived home at 9:30 p.m. Saturday night after nearly 16 months in Iraq.

By Julie Ann Madden

Soldiers with the Iowa National Guard C-Troop 1- 113th Cavalry Unit arrived home Saturday evening after serving nearly 16 months in Iraq. Eight soldiers were from the Akron and Westfield communities: Charles Bohr, Joseph Kroll, Joshua Kroll, all of Westfield; Alexander Jay “AJ” Dirks, Brandon Forcier, Klint Gustavson, Jeremy Koch, Tyler Utesch, all from Akron. A “Welcome Home” ceremony was held at the Le Mars Community School in Le Mars. It began about 3 p.m. with the American Legion Riders motorcyclist group heading to Worthington, Minn., to escort the troop home. Soldiers' families, friends and many citizens gathered to await their arrival, which was delayed 1.5 hours. People came wearing special T-shirts honoring their loved ones, carrying balloons and signs. During the long wait, the unit's family support service members and the Le Mars Community School Pep Band entertained guests, which packed the gymnasium. In another area, Plymouth County 4-Hers provided games and craft projects for children to do at no charge. A special moment for the A-W community was hearing Caroline Kroll, the 2 1⁄2 year-old daughter of Theresa and soldier Joshua Kroll of Westfield, say the “Pledge of Allegiance.” When the troops arrived, a short program was held with Brigadier General Saunders speaking and Chaplain Van Gerpen leading the invocation and benediction while the soldiers stood at ease on the gymnasium floor. The unit's history was printed in a ceremony program: “Troop C, 1st Squadron, 113th Cavalry, augmented by Troops A, B and Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 1st Squadron, 113th Cavalry; 1st Battalion, 168th Infantry; and 1st Battalion, 194th Field Artillery was mobilized under partial mobilization call-up on July 7, 2005. These 155 soldiers were mobilized in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 05-07. Troop C conduction mobilization training at Fort Lewis, Wash., from July-October and entered the Iraq theater of operations on Oct. 30, 2005. Troop C was based out of Camp Ashraf, Forward Operating Base Grizzly in the Diyala Province, approximately 30 miles north of Baghdad. They conducted security escort missions to Baghdad and Logistic Support Area Anaconda, Improvised Explosive Device (IED) route clearance, and security presence patrols. In addition, the unit maintained numerous static fixed site security positions as well as security escorts for the State Department. The unit accomplished numerous tasks while in theater. A few of the highlights are: The Troop conducted more than 3,000 missions. Drove in excess of 150,000 miles on treacherous Iraqi roads. The unit sustained more than 50 IED strikes. Discovered more than 25 IEDs prior to detonation. Exclusively provided security escorts for water pump installation to provide improved irrigation and drinking water to the local Iraqi population. The unit received more than 60 Combat Action Badges, more than 10 Purple Hearts, and 20 Bronze Star medals. Elements of Troop C provided immediate first aid and security for the attack on the CBS News crew on May 29, 2006, and provided lifesaving medical care to CBS reporter Kim Dozier. The unit lost one soldier, fallen comrade Sergeant Dan Sesker, who entered Fiddler's Green on April 6, 2006. The ceremony ended with the dismissal of the troops who were immediately reunited with family and friends. Shortly thereafter, balloons were released into the air outside the school.

 

Ed Ackerman Benefit Supper is Friday

There will be a pre-game Benefit Supper this Friday for former Akron-Westfield Band Instructor Ed Ackerman. The supper will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. in the A-W School Commons area prior to the A-W vs. West Sioux football game. Free will donations will be taken at the Commons area entrance. This Benefit Supper is hosted by Ackerman's former A-W teaching colleagues and the A-W Music Booster Club. On May 31, Ackerman was diagnosed with small cell carcinoma. “He has been a trooper in fighting this severe cancer in the advanced stage,” said his wife, Christina, who was a long-time A-W vocal music instructor. “He's coming up to the critical sixth-month mark and according to doctor's reports, Ed's doing remarkably well.” The Chicago Bears fan is looking forward to this December's game between the Bears and the Minnesota Vikings. Ackerman became the AW band instructor in 1991. Under his direction, the AW students increased their performance rating levels year after year, winning many regional, state and band festival awards. While at A-W, Ackerman received many awards and honors for his work including being named “Outstanding Teacher of the Year” by the local Masonic Lodge and receiving the “Outstanding Instrumental Music Director” Award at the St. Louis Gateway Festival. Ackerman graduated from George High School in 1971 and from Sioux Falls College with a bachelor's degree in instrumental music in 1975. He can play all instruments but is most talented on the trumpet. Ackerman celebrated his 53rd birthday this year. In addition to teaching instrumental music at AW, he has taught at Huxley, Moville, Boyden-Hull, Ottumwa and Vermillion, S.D. The Ackerman's live in Sioux Falls, where she is a sales associate at Cold Water Creek clothing store. They have four adult children: Freddy and his wife, Jessica of San Diego, Calif.; Benjamin of Sioux Falls, S.D.; Jennifer of Vermillion, S.D.; and Christopher of San Diego. They have one granddaughter, Daphne Kate of San Diego. The Ackerman's want to thank the entire A-W public for all the assistance: prayers, food, transportation and everything else they've received during his illness. A special thank you to their church congregation at Big Springs Baptist Church, said Christina. The Ackerman's look forward to seeing members of the Akron-Westfield community, including former teaching colleagues and students this Friday.

 

 

Akron-Westfield Marching Band competes at area competitions

The A-W Marching Band and Color Guard performed at two area competitions. On Oct. 7, the band members competed at the Northwest Regionals of the Iowa State Marching Contest in Cherokee. The band, which competed in Class 2A, was awarded a Division II “Excellent” rating. On Oct. 14, the band and color guard performed in the Quad State Field Marching Competition, held in the University of South Dakota DakotaDome.