Army Pvt. Wesley E. Harden has deployed to Iraq to engage in military operations involving U.S. and coalition forces. Operation objectives include liberating the Iraqi people, preserving Iraq as a unified state, keeping its territorial integrity intact, and helping the Iraqi people begin the process of economic and political reconstruction. Active duty, reserve, and national guard members from all branches of the U.S. armed forces are participating in the operation.

Harden is regularly assigned to one of the various camps and units of the 2nd Infantry Division, Eighth U.S. Army based in South Korea. Soldiers of the 2nd Infantry Division deployed to Iraq either to augment soldiers serving in country or to replace soldiers who had completed their tour of duty.

Harden, an assistant gunner, is the son of Donald Harden, Tonganoxie, and grandson of Peggy Corkins, Tonganoxie. He is a 2001 graduate of Tonganoxie High School.

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Xiang F. Zhang has graduated from the Army ROTC Leader Development and Assessment Course, also known as “Operation Warrior Forge,” at Fort Lewis in Tacoma, Wash.

The primary focus of the course is to develop and evaluate each cadet’s officer potential as a leader. The cadet command assesses each cadet’s performance and progress in officer traits, qualities and professionalism while attending the course.

Zhang is the son of Li Y. Ma and Guo Zheng Zhang, Lawrence. Zhang is a 1997 graduate of Topeka West High School.