We Support Our Troops:
The 983rd Engineering Battalion, Bryan OH

The war in Iraq came closer to home as the local Army Reserve 983rd Engineering Battalion located in Bryan, Ohio was activated and called to duty in October 2004. Earlier in the year, some members of the 983rd were called to support other units around the country in an effort of US support to rebuilding the Iraq infrastructures. With the local 983rd Battalion short members, men and women from other reserve units around the United States reported to the Bryan Armory to prepare for deployment and active duty in the Middle East.

Each day the troops prepared physically, mentally, and emotionally for the unknown. The Armory, as their base, attempted to simulate deployment living conditions with at least one meal a day of MRE rations. The troops soon experienced what it was like without all the comforts of home.

As the community attempted to rally and show their support, two employees of Bard Manufacturing Company, Greta Fetters and Beth Eicher, organized a "Support Our Troops" evening hosted at Bard Manufacturing Company.

On October 20, 2004, 37 members of the 983rd Engineering Battalion were invited to a HOT evening meal of lasagna, salad, relish trays, desserts, and beverages. The evening opened with words of thanks, support and encouragement from Mike Lehman, President of Bard Manufacturing. The troops were also given a first hand example of the Bard Wall-Mount products they may find in Iraq and jokingly encouraged not to use them as target practice.

After the meal, the troops, families, friends, Bard Manufacturing employees and their families socialized, talked and learned more about their training process, their families, and Bard Products.

Before leaving the 983rd was presented with a table full of supplies and gifts purchased by Bard and its employees. Items such as hygiene supplies, personal needs, games, sports equipments, electronics along with gift cards, were given in hopes of making their life in Iraq a little more comfortable.

The evening was best summed up in a single statement: "I never knew the Iraqi war was so close to Bryan, Ohio."

To the 983rd Engineering Battalion: Proud and Strong!

From All Of Us At Bard Manufacturing - We THANK YOU and want you to know that we support your efforts of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom and eagerly await your safe return home.