GUARDSMEN HEAD TO IRAQ
by Barbara France, News Editor
LASSEN COUNTY TIMES
The reality of war and having friends and family deploy to Iraq was the impetus for area veterans to honor 12 men and women from Detachment 1 of the 2668th Transportation Company in Lassen County.
 More than 100 people of all ages gathered in Susanville's Veterans Memorial Hall on Saturday October 2 to wish the dozen gardsmen -11 men and one woman - godspeed and a safe return. Shel Merchant, Commander of American Legion Post #204 welcomed the soldiers, friends and families and told them to "please spend the next three hours enjoying the food". He also told the guardsmen to "talk to the veterans in the room who have seen combat because we may be able to give you advice on how to handle things." The event was filled with laughter and well wishes and a few tears. After the Lassen High School Band, conducted by Carlin Hagen, played "The National Anthem," and the colors were posted, the band continued to play. Proud vets stood at attention as the high school students played each service branch anthem. There was a representative of every branch of service at the luncheon. Merchant then recognized vets who saw combat and told the soldiers leaving that all of them, even the disabled vets, were proud of serving their country. "When you return, the veterans organizations have a place for you," said Merchant. Many of the veterans were men and women who served during World War II, the Korean Conflict, the Vietnam War and Desert Storm. Gene Marsh, a Pearl Harbor survivor, who said his two-year enlistment lasted six years, six months and six days, also attended the lunch. Cheers of gratitude filled the hall and tears of pride welled up in many of the veterans eyes when Merchant asked if any servicemen had been to Iraq. One lone Marine stood! Nineteen-year-old Travis Jones had returned from his first tour of duty to Kuwait the day before, October 1. The young man, a 2003 graduate of Lassen High School, with a freshly-shaved head, reminded a few of the veterans of when they too left home with big dreams and "an unlined face of a boy beginning his journey into manhood," as one teary-eyed vet was overheard saying. After a 20-day leave Jones will head for Camp Pendleton. "I am not sure where I will go next," said Jones. "I just left Kuwait a week ago and they haven't told us anything yet."  Once the crowd applauded Jones, the polite Marine had little opportunity to eat his lunch. He stood as many in attendance came to say thank you, God bless and welcome home.
Jones came to the lunch with his mother Robin Nighswonger, father Greg Jones, 13-year-old sister Lindsey Affonso and grand-parents Robert and Marilyn Nighswonger. Adding some extra beauty to the event were Lassen County royalty: Miss Lassen County Chrissy Satterfield, Ambassadress of Susanville Ashley Buetler, Susanville Princess Jordan Luna, Miss Lassen/ Plumas Teen Kendall Brown, Little Miss Lassen Emily Fluke and LIttle Princess Amanda Evans. Ambassador of Lassen County Reggie Elaban accompanied the ladies. The lunch was cooked by Susanville Elks Lodge and provided by Susanville Supermarket and Safeway. | 
