WELCOME BACK: Soldiers from the Third Battalion, 116th Armored Cavalry arrived home on buses Saturday. (The Observer/CHRIS BAXTER).

The Third Battalion, 116th Armored Cavalry has come home, after showing the world it can soldier with the best.

Today, the unit holds its head up with pride as it officially ends its participation in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

The 3/116th’s 18-month deployment included a full year in northern Iraq. Its members took part in more than 3,000 patrols through an area of operations that was full of hazards.

For soldiers working "outside the wire" of Forward Operating Base Warrior, improvised explosive devices were a fact of life. And for those inside the wire, rocket attacks were not uncommon.

While Eastern Oregon’s best and bravest faced those and other dangers, loved ones at home lived with the constant worry of bad news.

And that wasn’t all. Families struggled with finances, health insurance issues, maintenance of homes and autos a host of problems that might not have arisen, or might have been more easily resolved, had their citizen-soldiers not left.

The sacrifices of the people in uniform and their families were indeed great.

But so were the achievements.

The battalion played a part in making free elections in Iraq a reality. It successfully protected citizens and coalition forces from attacks by insurgents. It fostered good relations between Americans and the people of Iraq.

Without doubt, the men and women of 3/116th have earned the respect and gratitude of their community and their country.

As the deployment comes to a close, The Observer joins many others in saying thanks to the soldiers and their loved ones at home who gave up so much in the cause of freedom.

Bill Rautenstrauch

Oregon National Guard

Third Battalion, 116th Armored Cavalary

Aberdeen

1LT Eric D. Vandewalle

Adams

SGT Jack E. Chase

SGT Travis R. Chase

SFC Ryan M. Lehnert

Adrian

SSG Ty Yost

Albany

SGT Calvin V. Nickell

Anaheim

SPC John T. W. Ferguson

Arlington

SGT John D. Hughes

SFC Ronald G. Wyscaver

SPC Jackson T. Ball

SPC Brandon R. Denley

Astoria

PFC Christopher M. Herren

SPC Josiah D. Jurich

Auburn

SPC Conner H. Furukawa

Baker

SGT Eric K. LaBonte

SPC Matthew W. Foster

Baker City

CSM Joseph D. Brooks

SFC Wayne W. Chastain

SPC Barachiah J. Macy

SGT Bryan W. Polley

SGT Johnny D. Torres

SSG Duane J. Amundson

SGT Joshua D. Baker

SGT Alan E. Bezley, Jr.

SGT Wesley A. Christensen

SGT Howard L. Coyle

SSG James D. Harmon

Beaverton

SPC Robert L. Loonstyn

SPC Philip G. Chrystal

SGT Salvador L. Garcia

Bend

SGT Raymond E. Clair

SGT Douglas J. Hinchman

SSG Gene E. Landers

SPC Jesse N. Washburn

Boardman

SPC Jose S. Calvillo

SGT William P. Deboer

SPC Nathanael L. Hughes

Boise

SSG Timothy A. Vitale

Caldwell

SGT Gilbert L. Tweedy

SGT Robert C. Powers

Canby

SPC Sean S. Stephenson

Cannon Beach

SPC Adam B. Campbell

Canyon City

SPC Timothy S. Wallace

Cayuse

SPC Calvin J. Sweet

Central Point

SFC James B. Couch

Clackamas

CW3 Brian D. VanHorn

SGT John M. Carr

Clatskanie

SFC John P. Donovan

Clearwater

SPC John J. Tumino

College

SPC Christopher B. Bruce

College Place

SPC Jose G. Garza

Columbia City

SGT Chad A. Miller

Condon

1LT John V. Qualls

SGT Brian S. Nation

Corvallis

1SG Garry D. Black, Jr.

SPC Justin P. Barklow

Cove

SPC Michael F. Bechtel

SPC Nathan C. Alldredge

SFC Paul D. Brainerd

Dallas

SPC Frederick V. Casner

SFC William M. Felder

SPC Frank A. Grammer, Jr.

SPC Donnie S. Hamilton, Jr.

SPC Christopher L. Makinson

SPC Patrick K. Pomeroy

Dayton

SGT Marjoe A. Jennings

PV1 Nathanael A. Rensland

Dayville

PV2 James A. Hand

Dufur

SPC Brandon C. Christopherson

SSG Eugene L. Bateman

El Paso

SPC John R. Warmath

Elgin

SGT Jeremy L. Flannery

SPC Harold A. Fruitts, Jr.

Ellensburg

SGT Lawrence A. Danton

Eltopia

CPT James L. Jacobs

Eugene

SPC Travis G. Helligso

SSG Barton E. Peterson

Fairview

PV2 Evan D. Pine

Fallon

SPC Daniel J. Edtl

Fernley

SPC Jeffrey S. Hughes

Fruitland

PV2 Jeffrey E. Childs

SSG Anthony J. Fenicottero

SSG Donald J. Clapp

Gilcrest

SPC Jeramy D. Raudebaugh

Glenwood

SGT Christopher D. Ward

Grants Pass

SPC Michael R. Johnson

Halfway

SPC Joshua D. Letchworth

Harper

PV1 Justin D. Hendricks

Heppner

SGT Michael H. Sweek

Hermiston

1SG John W. Bales

CPT Timothy M. Beinert

SSG Johnny R. Barnes

SSG Hgo Enriquez

SFC Daniel J. Ishaug

SGT Miguel Munoz

SGT Jacob C. Reed

SPC Donald L. Rome, Jr.

SPC Alejandro W. Sanchez

SPC Benjamin L. Stoffers

SPC William D. Walden

SPC Russell A. Young

SGT Jimmy J. Allen

PFC Eric A. Bergstrom

SGT Michael B. Cutburth

SPC Jorge L. Deanda

SGT Johnny W. Furgerson

SGT Jesse T. Harris

SPC Alan G. Humphrey, III

SGT Allen G. Iverson

SGT Richard S. Payne

SPC Freddy Sotelo

SPC Roger D. Weems

PFC Joshua J. Ybarra

Hillsboro

SGT Ronald W. Bloker

SGT Ryan J. Creswell

Hood River

SFC Alex R. Porter

SSG Michael S. Willis

SPC Carlos R. Almaraz III

Huntington

PV2 Adam W. Koenig

Imbler

SSG Dennis J. Coreson

Independence

SPC Paul E. Lyon

Ione

SGT Christopher R. Bennetto

Irrigon

SPC Thomas A. Beach

SGT Christopher L. Gibson

SSG Richard A. Cunningham

SGT Paul M. Hussey

Island City

SGT Michael J. Vanderzanden

Jefferson

SPC Bennie J. Ellis, Jr.

SPC Tracy L. Muse

Joseph

SGT Matthew J. Gross

SGT Daniel J. Daggett

Keizer

PFC Mitchael L. Dean

Kennewick

SSG Jeremiah L. Hart

PV2 Colter J. Terry

1LT John P. Thew

PFC William P. Skadorwa

Klamath Falls

PV1 Nicholas A. LaFond

Klickitat

PFC James R. Quantrell

La Grande

SGT Justin D. Avery

MAJ William B. Cole

CPT Brian K. Dean

LTC Clifford D. McCabe

SPC Joseph M. Carson

CPT Dominic L. Kotz

2LT Seth M. Musgrove

SPC Keith R. Wolford

SPC Karl D. Baum

SGT Sean T. Rasmussen

PFC Nathan K. Stewart

1LT Christopher C. Warren

SGT Alan W. Arnson

SFC Louis E. Gerber, Jr.

SFC Todd F. Gorham

SFC Edward E. Harrison

SFC Brian H. Love

SSG Mathew M. Miles

PFC Tyler J. Musgrove

PFC Jacob L. Pfnister

SSG Albert E. Smith

1LT Michael A. Whitesell

SGT David E. Woodruff

SPC Rodney L. Hafer

Lebanon

SSG James W. Bates III

SGT Robert J. Gill

SPC Robert K. LaFollette

SPC Allen L. Milstead

SGT Rodney K. Rush

Lewiston

SPC Jamison L. Short

SPC Kasey D. Morris

Longview

SGT Clint N. Walther

Lyle

SPC Matthew J. Jellum

McMinnville

SFC Raymond D. Powers

SSG Steven P. Schalock

Medford

SPC Richard T. Egan

Milton-Freewater

SGT Tony A. Bland

PV1 Tas J. Haugen

SPC Eugene R. Larsen, Jr.

PV1 Christopher L. Sheldon

PFC Joseph L. Humbert

SPC Tyrone J. Webster

Milwaukie

SPC Grant C. Jackson

SSG Joseph W. Yochelson

Molalla

SGT William H. Childs V

Monument

MSC Dannie D. Derowitsch

Mosier

SPC Donald E. Ringlbauer

PFC Brandon S. Sabetti

New Plymouth

SPC Chadwick D. Getman

SSG Dewayne J. Mayer

Newberg

SPC Michael A. Benninger

SPC Marvin L. Letteer

Nyssa

SSG Martin Castellanoz

SGT Robert D. Trotter

PV2 Isaac H. Witcraft

Odell

SSG Branden J. Fletcher

Ontario

1LT Max D. Arvidson

1SG Leslie R. Sissel

SGT Lennie Ables

SGT Brian K. Allender

SGT Duane K. Cowperthwait

SSG Terry W. Erntson

SSG Armando G. Estillore

2LT Christopher A. Kerr

SPC Eric W. Kaatz

SGT Craig S. Moran

SPC Clay D. Stevens

Oregon City

SGT Patrick B. Lynch

Parkdale

SFC Daniel L. Moran

SSG Jaime D. Campos, Jr.

SGT Roger A. Montavon

Parma

SFC Terry J. Lewis

Pasco

CPT Thomas R. Hitt

PFC Levi R. Martinez

Payette

SSG Joseph P. Blackwell

SGT Dean C. Harrison

SSG Gerald L. Lopez III

SGT Richard L. Rourke

SGT Francisco Deleon

Pendleton

SPC Rodney M. Miller, Jr.

PV2 Brian R. Bader

SPC Stephen R. Jensen, Jr.

SPC Steven E. Jensen

SPC Michael W. Markle

SFC Eli L. Smith

SSG Robert J. Taylor

1LT Aaron R. Johnson

CPT Paul R. Kerzman

SGT Anthony D. Bowman

SGT Joseph W. Cleveland

SFC Theodore R. Thorne

SSG Christopher D. Hamby

SGT Charles L. Jordan, Jr.

SPC Jeremy D. Kitchen

SGT John K. Kreider

SPC Clinton L. Markle

SPC Abel Matamoros, Jr.

SGT Morgan D. McCargar

SSG Jon M. Mitchell

SSG Gibson M. Morrison

SSG Jesse J. Neveau

SPC Christopher L. Peck

SSG Glenn A. Scott

SGT Kenneth P. Varner

SPC Ray A. Wilcox

SSG Michael C. Winks

Philomath

SGT Charles A. Spiker

Portland

1LT Benjamin L. Hines

1LT Raymond P. Kelley

SPC Charles W. Feldman

SGT Adrian S. Allen

SPC Seth A. Fillmore

PV2 Christopher N. Gallaher

SFC Ronald E. Johnson. Jr.

SPC Brett E. Franklin

SPC William R. Pollick

PV2 Shane A. Basse

SGT Jamie W. Boren

PV2 Leroy Degrand

SPC Jason M. Hoygaard

1LT Joseph W. Lundell

SGT Ryan A. Pauli

SGT David W. Rambo

SSG William R. Willsey

Prairie City

SGT Rian M. Adams

SPC Jessie L. Bratcher

Prineville

SPC Casey J. Bayes

Prosser

SGT Roger F. Esche

Pullman

SGT Caven W. Halsey

Redmond

CPT John Dimeling III

Reedsport

SPC Raymond S. Viers

Rhododendron

SPC Todd T. Unger

Richland

CPT Martin P. Nelson

SPC Cesar R. Arias

SPC Jason M. Ponte

Rogue River

SPC Richard E. Vreeland

Salem

SGT Michael J. Candello, Sr.

SPC Jamey R. Flores

PFC Jesse F. Granger

SPC Cory A. Larivee

SGT David B. Nelson

SPC Brian M. Reaves

PFC Matthew S. Seaton

SFC Ralph E. Glazier

Seaside

SPC Jonathan N. Fowler

Springfield

SPC Charles G. Caudell, Jr.

SPC Richard L. Wright

St. Helens

SGT David M. Huntzinger

Stanfield

SPC Michael S. Pomeroy

SGT Robert J. Coffelt

SGT David D. Sanders

Stevenson

SGT Herbert J. Carroll, Jr.

Tacoma

SGT Benny E. Buker, Jr.

The Dalles

SPC Richard J. Chance

SPC Nicolas M. Mendez

SPC David J. Schneider

PV2 Kristopher M. Davidson

PFC Brien D. Gibson

SPC Blaise S. Jones

SSG Scott R. Randall

PFC Jason S. Brown

SPC Jesse D. Byron

SPC Joshua M. Collins

SPC Sean K. Crandall

SPC Stacy L. Fus

CPT Jason L. Lambert

CPT Elijah L. Preston

SPC Alan A. Yanez

Trout Lake

SGT Scott O. Thompson

SPC Jared M. Ladwig

SGT Brian J. White

Tualatin

SGT Kristopher J. Taylor

SGT Albert J. South

Tumwater

SGT Joseph S. Dennis

Umatilla

SSG Brian S. Admire

SFC Keith E. Ames

SGT William D. Johnson

SFC Daniel R. Couzens

SPC Tommy J. Fisher

SPC Joseph A. Steinbruck

Union

SGM Stephen R. Olsen

MAJ Kevin P. Sheehy

SSG Marvin J. Albert II

Unity

SGT Jerry J. Hunter

Vale

SPC Monty J. Bixby

SGT Michael H. Kreider

SPC Joseph A. Sanders

Vancouver

SPC Randy L. Bishop

PFC Matthew R. Braddock

SPC Mathew D. Kerr

SGT Kevin D. Safley

PFC Joshua L. Smith

SGT Jonathan D. Steinmann

Walla Walla

SSG Ambrosio R. Siller

SGT Shaun M. Siller

PFC Gary B. Birdwell

PV2 Joseph J. Caldwell

Wallowa

SFC Martin A. Leinbach

Warrenton

SPC Andre M. Perez

Weiser

PFC Stuart A. Bardan

PFC Kendall A. Giambo

SGT Michael A. Gomez

Weston

PFC Daniel F. Pace

White Salmon

SFC Joseph L. Lewis

Wilsonville

CPT Jay M. Schmidt

Woodburn

SPC Nikita A. Sanarov

Yreka

SGT Joseph P. Reidiger, Jr.

IN memory of …

SFC Mark C. Warren

La Grande

HHC 3 BN 116 Cav

Operation Iraqi Freedom

Died Jan. 31, 2005

SSG John B. Ogburn III

Ontario

A Co. 3 BN 116 Cav

Operation Iraqi Freedom

Died May 22, 200