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A Fort Lewis stalwart praised as ‘a great mentor and adviser’

May-12-2007 » Filed Under: 3/2 SBCT , Homefront

MICHAEL GILBERT; The News Tribune

These are tough times for Army spouses at Fort Lewis, even before this week’s tragic news that nine more local soldiers had died.

Most of the 10,000 Fort Lewis soldiers now deployed to Iraq left a wife or a husband back home. And most who are there have had their combat tours extended from 12 to 15 months.

So it might come as a little bit of a lift to learn that one of their own was chosen to represent all Army spouses Friday in a White House ceremony to mark Military Spouse Appreciation Day.

Cindy Bjerke also received the President’s Volunteer Service Award for her work helping fellow spouses at Fort Lewis keep their homes, hearts and heads together the past four years.

Three other women – one chosen from each branch of the service – were also honored Friday.

“It was awesome,” Bjerke said after meeting President Bush in the East Room. “He gave me a peck on the cheek and a hug and said he thanked me for the difference I’m making in families’ lives.”

Bjerke’s husband is Command Sgt. Maj. Alan Bjerke, serving in Iraq as the top enlisted adviser to the commander in the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Infantry Regiment – one of the three infantry battalions in the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division.

He also held that post on the brigade’s first deployment to Iraq, in 2003-04.

[...]


Comments For "A Fort Lewis stalwart praised as ‘a great mentor and adviser’":

I keep hearing 15 months, either I can't add, don't know something, or it's another lie from the administration. they were extended from 12 to 15 months, so here goes, they left in the middle of June last year. Add 3 months to 12 and they should be back in the middle of September. So, then, why does the Army and the administration not tell us the extension is really not three months, but around 5 months as folks keep telling me the 3/2, with my son, will be back sometime in late October?

Posted by: Darren and Margaret Smith [TypeKey Profile Page] | May 12, 2007 8:23 PM

I understand that everybody is upset over tours being extended to 15 months but accusing the Administration of lieing is absurd. Let me explain this to you. They left mid June but the deployment officially does not start until a percentage of the unit has boots on the ground, which may not have been until mid july which would put them back mid October, which in turn would put some Soldiers back late October since it would be impossible to get all Soldiers back at one time. Please, think before you post....Thank you

Posted by: ArcticWolf [TypeKey Profile Page] | May 13, 2007 7:46 PM

I did think before I posted and you did answer my question. I did not accuse the administration of lying, it was simply a plausible thought anyone anyone could have after paying attention to events over the last 5 years. Remeber Mission Accomplished? The answer was that didn't know something, and that answer was clearly provided for which I amm thankful. However, since public personal insults from Articwolf seem to be the order of the day, I would suggest he learn how to read, as I did think before I posted as did not accuse the admintstration of anything.

Posted by: Darren and Margaret Smith [TypeKey Profile Page] | May 13, 2007 9:32 PM

Please keep comments on topic. This article is about the volunteer efforts of Cindy Bjerke, not the administration.

Thanks,

Todd
Site Admin

Posted by: Todd [TypeKey Profile Page] | May 13, 2007 9:44 PM

Dear Mrs. Bjerke,
Thank you for your "service" to the families at Fort Lewis. Our son served at Fort Lewis, therefore we have close ties to those up there. May God continue to bless you in your work and congratulations on your award.

Posted by: Styrker Parents in TX [TypeKey Profile Page] | May 14, 2007 12:03 PM

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