Editor’s note: Rep. Tom Sloan, R-Lawrence, recently accompanied Lt. Gov. Gary Sherrer, Major Gen. Greg Gardner and Brigadier Gen. Jonathan Small to visit Kansas National Guard soldiers serving on active duty in Germany. Many members of Company B, 2nd Battalion, 137th Infantry Company B are Lawrence residents. Rep. Sloan and the other Kansans flew to Germany in a KC-135 air refueling tanker and paid for their own lodging and meal expenses. After his return, Sloan shared the following impressions of his trip.

One of the greatest experiences of my eight-year legislative career was visiting our neighbors serving in Germany and thanking them for their sacrifices on behalf of all Americans. We visited eight army posts in three days, plus a NATO air base, to talk with Kansas Army National Guard members who are bringing honor to themselves, their unit and our state.

Every base commander and the European Theater commander all lavishly praised the Kansas National Guard members for their military professionalism and skills, attitude and performance. The commanders were extremely pleased with the Kansas Guard members’ performance because their regular Army troops have returned to their normally assigned duties of supporting the troops in Kosovo and elsewhere. The commanders also expressed the appreciation of the regular Army personnel engaged in potentially dangerous parts of the world that well-trained personnel are protecting their families back in Germany.

At every base, we talked with the Kansas Guard members as they stood watch at entry points, provided roving perimeter patrols, or rested before their next detail. A typical schedule has troops working 12-hour shifts for 14 days in a row before getting four days off, followed by three days of training.

Few Kansans appreciate the sacrifices our neighbors are making to ensure the protection of our fellow Americans. The Guard members will be in Europe for at least 180 days and participated in extensive pre-mission training at Fort Riley and Fort Stewart prior to being deployed to Germany. They have left their families, jobs and schooling to serve us. The Kansas Guard detachment of almost 400 men include Kansas University students, men who have not seen their newborn children, and many who are making substantial financial sacrifices.

As we ate in the field or camp dining facility, we talked with the Guard members about their families, the satisfaction they receive from protecting dependents and support troops serving American forces in other war theaters, Drew Gooden’s decision to turn professional, and the K.C. Chiefs’ draft selections. At every opportunity, Lt. Gov. Sherrer, Gens. Gardner and Small, and I emphasized how proud we are of them and their service.

Even though they have limited access to telephone and Internet services to stay in touch with their families, the troops were very pleased that we took the time to visit them. They also were delighted to receive copies of the Lawrence Journal-World and gifts from the local Dorsey-Liberty American Legion Post 14 that I brought and distributed. News from home, even if a few days old, was eagerly received.

It is genuinely touching to be firmly shaking the hand of a fully outfitted and armed Lawrence Kansas National Guard member, thanking him for protecting his fellow Americans, and have him say that he is simply performing his duty and then thank me for making the effort to come see them. Several of the Kansas Guard members we met served six months in Saudi Arabia, returned home briefly, and then volunteered for Operation Santa Fe. These truly are some of our finest citizens.

We also visited members of the 190th Air Refueling Wing who are on temporary duty in Germany supporting NATO and American forces. Many members of the 190th have supported U.S. efforts in Operation Desert Storm against Iraq, in Operation Allied Force during the Balkan conflicts, and in the on-going Operation Enduring Freedom.

Company B of the 2nd Battalion 137th Infantry is headquartered and trains in Lawrence. I visited those troops and their family members at the Lawrence Armory last fall when they were initially mobilized. I wished them well and thanked them for their service. Gov. Graves and Adjutant Gen. Gardner presented a House of Representatives Certificate of Support and Appreciation on my behalf at ceremonies in Salina prior to their departure for Fort Stewart. Seeing the performance and morale of our Kansas National Guard men and women and saying “thank you” in person for the sacrifices of them and their families was both inspiring and humbling. These people truly are among our finest citizens, and I hope that when our neighbors return home that all Kansans tell them thank you and well-done.