IOLA — Lee Tafanelli has been putting some extra "soldier" in "citizen soldier" lately.
Tafanelli, an Ozawkie Republican who serves parts of Jefferson and Douglas counties in the Kansas House, on Saturday became commander of the Kansas Army National Guard's 891st Engineer Battalion in a ceremony at Allen County Community College. He is a lieutenant colonel in the National Guard.
"He is one of only a handful of guardsmen to serve in the Legislature at the same time as the guard, and he's certainly the only one to command a battalion," said Maj. Gen. Greg Gardner, the adjutant general for Kansas.
And with about a week before the Kansas Legislature starts its 2002 session, Tafanelli still hasn't been released from his temporary posting to the Pentagon as military assistant to the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Manpower and Reserve Affairs. He was set to return to Washington, D.C., after Saturday's ceremony; he was assigned to the Pentagon in early November.
"The Army understands my commitment to the Legislature," Tafanelli told the Journal-World. "They're trying as best they can to get me back" to Kansas.
The more than 600 soldiers of the 891st were on hand Saturday. Tafanelli took command of the battalion which has units in Pittsburg, Coffeyville, Fort Scott, Chanute, Winfield and Augusta from the outgoing commander, Lt. Col. Joseph Long.
Tafanelli said there was increased significance to taking command while America is at war.
"I think we've seen increased reliance on reserve components, the reserves and the National Guard," he said. "America can't go to war without its reserve components and it affects every family."
Tafanelli's family certainly has been affected. He has been able to come home from Washington, D.C., only three times to see his wife, Tammy, and two children.
"It was rough during the holidays," Tammy Tafanelli said. "Lee's always been a hard worker, and committed to a lot of things, but we make it work."
Tafanelli said he'll be a better legislator because of his military experience.
"I truly believe it's our responsibility to make our community, state and nation a better place," he said. "It's what I enjoy."
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