Officials with the Oklahoma National Guard will discuss the possible deployment of thousands of troops with the 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team to Afghanistan.
Maj. Gen. Myles Deering, the Adjutant General for Oklahoma, is scheduled to speak about the potential deployment Wednesday afternoon in Oklahoma City. A Guard spokesman could not immediately be reached for comment, and the governor's office would not confirm the deployment ahead of the 3 p.m. news conference.
The 45th IBCT is the state's largest National Guard element - about 2,600 soldiers from across the state.
The combat team was mobilized in 2007 for a 1-year deployment to Iraq. At the time, it was the largest deployment of state guard members since the Korean War.
American Minute
with Bill Federer
The Korean War started JUNE 25, 1950.
Communist North Korea invaded South Korea, killing thousands.
General Douglas MacArthur was given command of the U.N.
Forces and after a daring landing of troops at Inchon, MacArthur recaptured the city of Seoul.
Political involvement prolonged the war, resulting in high casualties.
President Truman stated in his 1952 Christmas Message:
"Our hearts turn first of all to our brave men and women in Korea. They are fighting and suffering and even dying that we may preserve the chance of peace in the world."
Truman continued:
"Let us remember always to try to act...in the spirit of the Prince of Peace. He bore in His heart no hate and no malice - nothing but love for all mankind. We should...follow His example...
As we pray for our men and women in Korea...let us also pray for our enemies...Through Jesus Christ the world will yet be a better and a fairer place."
To the Salvation Army, December 12, 1951, General Douglas MacArthur said:
"History fails to record a single precedent in which nations subject to moral decay have not passed into political and economic decline.
There has been either a spiritual awakening to overcome the moral lapse, or a progressive deterioration leading to ultimate national disaster."
Officials with the Oklahoma National Guard will discuss the possible deployment of thousands of troops with the 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team to Afghanistan.
