Lansing, Mich. -  Approximately 61 Soldiers of the 1075th Maintenance Company, Michigan Army National Guard, Marquette, Mich., will be recognized Saturday at an awards ceremony, for their deployments to Kuwait and Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

In January 2005, 19 of the Soldiers deployed with the Grayling, Mich., 1071st Maintenance Company to Iraq and provided maintenance support to various units such as the 42nd Infantry Division, the Tennessee National Guard's 278th Brigade Combat Team, and the 2nd Marine Division. They completed more than 400 maintenance jobs, and participated in convoy operations and force security.

In July 2005, another 44 Marquette Soldiers were called to active duty and deployed to Kuwait with the 1072nd Maintenance Company out of Detroit. The Soldiers operated several maintenance shops in Camp Buehring, Kuwait, including a welding shop, generator rebuild and repair shop, and provided maintenance on wheeled and track vehicles. In March of 2006, the unit was sent to Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, to perform complete rebuilds of the HUMMWV series vehicles, total generator rebuilds, and maintenance and quality checks on armament equipment. The unit completed over 8,500 work orders during the deployment.

The ceremony, "Freedom Salute Campaign," also recognizes and honors the families, employers, and other "centers of influence" of each Guard member.

During the ceremony, each Soldier will receive an encased American flag, lapel insignia, commemorative coin, and a certificate of appreciation. Spouses will be recognized with a commemorative lapel pin. Employers and other centers of influence will receive a medallion.

Today, approximately 1,500 Michigan National Guard Soldiers and Airmen are deployed across the globe, at locations such as Iraq, Kuwait, Kosovo, and Afghanistan. Since Sept. 11, 2001, approximately 85 percent of the Michigan Guard has deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom; however, as Michigan troops serve the nation, more than 80 percent of the Michigan Guard remains available and ready to respond to a state emergency including a terrorist event.

 MEDIA ADVISORY

Media is invited to attend the Freedom Salute ceremony at 1p.m. Saturday, March 31 at the Michigan Army National Guard Armory located at 1820 Lincoln Ave, Marquette. Family and friends will be available for interviews up to one hour before the ceremony begins.

For more information, contact Sgt. 1^st Class Dodge at work (906) 226-8831