Many department employees are now serving their country as well as the state of Michigan. Reserves from across the nation have been called up for active duty as a result of the September 11 attack.

Charles Aguire, Vern Pratt and Laura Burke (also assigned but not pictured is Stephen Cooklin) from the Saginaw Correctional Facility were called to active duty on March 12, 2002 with the National Guard 144th Military Police Company out of Owosso.

They are stationed at the Pentagon as part of the Homeland Security Force and are expected to remain deployed for at least one year.

Sergeant First Class Adam Lamay is stationed in Kosovo. The transportation officer with the Saginaw Correctional Facility is now serving as a Civil Affairs Specialist and Team Sergeant for the Economic Development Team. He assures that vehicles, equipment and staff are duty-ready. The group is trying to help develop the Kosovo economy by expanding business and agriculture. They also work at conflict resolution and provide security.

“The country is beautiful,” says Lamay. “But it is a mixture of modern times and ancient culture. Cars and horse-drawn carts share the same streets.”

Civil Affairs’ main purpose is to rebuild a country’s infrastructure after war or devastation. Lamay’s team is part of the Special Operations Forces supporting missions such as Foreign Internal Defense, Unconventional Warfare and the evacuation of U.S. civilians from embassies during conflict.

Lemay has been in Kosovo since August 3, 2002. He is expected to return to his civilian duties on March 25, 2003. 

Michigan Department of Corrections, Nov. 27, 2002