(Lander, WY) – Over 500 attendees assembled at Lander Valley High School yesterday, July 30, to celebrate/honor the deployment of the Bravo Battery of the 2-300th Field Artillery Regiment from the Wyoming Army National Guard in Lander.
Ceremonies were held in four locations total across the state yesterday, including Torrington, Gillette and Casper.
Governor Mark Gordon attended each of these ceremonies, and was joined by Major General Gregory Porter (Adjutant General, Wyoming National Guard), Command Chief Master Sergeant Joshua Moore (Command Senior Enlisted Leader for the Wyoming National Guard), LTC Michael Kingman (Commander of the 2nd Battalion 300th Field Artillery Regiment), CSM Spencer Jolley (Command Sergeant Major of the 2nd Battalion 300th Field Artillery Regiment), 1LT Ryan Shupe (Commander of Bravo Battery), and 1SG Evan Bock (1SG of Bravo Battery).
Distinguished guests in the crowd who were recognized included: COL Alexander Fisher (Commander of the 115th Field Artillery Brigade), CSM Deborah Manzanares (Command Sergeant Major of the 115th Field Artillery Brigade), COL Robert Rickgauer (G3 for the Wyoming Army National Guard), and SGM Joshua Phillips (G3 Sergeant Major for the Wyoming Army National Guard).
“Here in Wyoming, this state stands 100% behind our soldiers,” Governor Gordon stated in his address before adding that he and his administration will do whatever they can to support the soldiers and their families. “God bless you for standing up to serve, thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”
Following the reading of a letter from Senator John Barrasso, Major General Gregory Porter took to the podium and thanked the soldiers and their families, as well as the large number of attendees for showing their support. “It’s outstanding that you all are here today, it means a lot to the soldiers.”
“As Governor Gordon said, to make extremely clear, we take care of our families and all of those that stayed behind,” Major General Porter reiterated. “I know Wyoming families aren’t really good at reaching out, they are self sufficient and don’t like asking for help, but I just tell you, we are here to do that, and not only it is our duty, it is our privilege.”
After words from LTC Michael Kingman, Governor Gordon then posed with troops in front of the Wyoming State flag and an “Entering Wyoming” sign before the closing of the ceremony.
As an additional thank you to the local troops being deployed, Beckie Milleson from Mamaw’s Kitchen and Senator Cale Case split the cost of providing steak dinners for them and their families Wednesday evening, with servers volunteering their time to serve up the grub.
Thank you for your service and best of luck on your deployment, Bravo Battery of the 2-300th Field Artillery Regiment!