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EUGENE, Oregon – The Oregon National Guard is scheduled to display military equipment at Autzen Stadium Saturday, April 20 for the annual University of Oregon Military Appreciation Spring Game.  The Spring game allows the Ducks to scrimmage with each other to practice their skills before the fall season, while also paying tribute to military service members.

Military members are scheduled to greet fans in front of the stadium before the game and veterans from every branch of service will participate in Military Appreciation Day activities during the game.

Oregon Army National Guard’s Staff Sgt. Duane Reno from the 234th Army Band is scheduled to sing the National Anthem. This will be followed by an F-15 flyover by the Oregon Air National Guard’s 173 Fighter Wing at 2:05 p.m. prior to game kick off. The half-time show is scheduled to have an honors presentation and recognition along with a helicopter flyover by the United States Coast Guard.

The half time honors presentation includes a flag folding ceremony directly involving Coach Mario Cristobal.  Coach Cristobal has ties to Oregon’s Historic 41 Infantry Division, and the local 162 Infantry Regiment based in Springfield.  Coach Cristobal’s wife, Jessica, had a grandfather, Harry Anicich, who served with the 41st Infantry Division throughout World War II.  The 41st was the longest deployed division in the Pacific serving all four years.

Accepting the flag from Coach Cristobal is Army Vietnam Veteran, the former Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Training, Readiness and Mobilization, the second longest serving Adjutant General and Commander of the Oregon National Guard, and also University of Oregon Alum, Maj. Gen. Mr. Raymond F. Rees (Retired).

Fans are encouraged to make a three can food donation to FOOD for Lane County at the admission gate, which is part of one of the largest food donations operations in the county.

The gates open at noon for attendees to view military static displays.  The gates to Autzen Stadium are scheduled to open at 1:00 p.m. and the game officially start at 2:00 p.m.  

Captions:

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University of Oregon ROTC cadets present the U.S. flag during a pre-game ceremony for the University of Oregon Ducks Football Spring Game at Autzen Stadium, April 21, in Eugene, Oregon. Veterans from every branch of service participated in Military Appreciation Day activities during the game. (Photo by 1st Lt Jessica Clarke, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs)

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SPRINGFIELD, Ore. – Maj. Gen. Michael E. Stencel, Adjutant General, Oregon, and Command Sgt. Maj. Robert Foesch, Senior Enlisted Leader of the Oregon Army National Guard, spent part of the day visiting troops in Springfield, Oregon, April 7, 2019.

During their visit, Oregon Army Sgt. Samantha Roberts, assigned to the Springfield Recruiting Detachment was recognized as the Oregon Army National Guard’s top recruiter for the quarter.  In addition to being acknowledged as the top recruiter, Roberts is scheduled to attend the Infantry Advanced Leaders Course, having already completed the ‘11B’ Infantry training course.

“Recruiting is up in Springfield thanks to the dedication of our Soldiers, the local community and the benefits of free college tuition,” said Maj. Stephen Bomar, director of public affairs for the Oregon Military Department.

Six Soldiers with 2nd Battalion, 162nd Infantry Regiment were also acknowledged for their hard work and dedication by Stencel and Foesch. Among the six Soldiers recognized, two of 1st. Lt. Silas Heisler’s Soldier’s were highlighted during the visit. “I am proud of my Soldier’s who were recognized today for all they do,” he said. “This unit is like family!”

The 2nd Battalion, 162nd Infantry Regiment is scheduled to mobilize to multiple locations later this fall as they continue to train throughout the summer. 

PHOTOS:

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Oregon Army National Guard 1st Lt. Austin Parr (right), with Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 162nd Infantry Regiment, talks to Maj. Gen Michael Stencel, Adjutant General, Oregon, during a visits to the Springfield Armory, Ore., on Apr. 7, 2019. Parr described the preparation that goes into the weapons systems prior to weapons qualification by the unit's Soldiers. (Army National Guard photo by Capt. Jessica Clarke, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs)

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Oregon Army National Guard Spc. Devin Santiago (right), assigned to A Company, 2nd Battalion, 162nd Infantry Regiment, receives a challenge coin from Maj. Gen Michael Stencel, Adjutant General, Oregon, during his visit to the Springfield Armory, Ore., on Apr. 7, 2019. Santiago was among a select handful of 2nd Battalion, 162nd Infantry Regiment Soldier's who received challenge coins and a congratulatory handshakes for their hard work and dedication to unit. (Army National Guard photo by Capt. Jessica Clarke, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs)

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Oregon Army National Guard Command Sgt. Maj. Robert Foesch, talks to candidates in the Recruit Sustainment Program (RSP) during a visitation at the Springfield Armory, Ore. on Apr. 7, 2019. The U.S. Army National Guard RSP is designed to introduce new recruits to the fundamentals of the U.S. Army before they leave to Basic Combat Training. (Army National Guard photo by Capt. Jessica Clarke, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs)

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Oregon Army National Guard Sgt. Samantha Roberts (center), a recruiter assigned to the Springfield Recruiting Detachment, pauses for a photo Oregon Army National Guard Command Sgt. Maj. Robert Foesch (left), and Maj. Gen. Michael Stencel, Adjutant General, Oregon, (right) during their visitation to the Springfield Armory, Ore. on Apr. 7, 2019. Roberts was acknowledged as the top recruiter for the Oregon Army National Guard for the quarter. (Army National Guard photo by Capt. Jessica Clarke, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs)

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HILLSBORO, Oregon - The Oregon Army National Guard’s D Company, 2nd Battalion, 162nd Infantry Regiment, 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team, is scheduled to hold an Open House Farewell and Community Event, Saturday, April 6, 2019, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The unit is temporarily relocating to the 41st Infantry Division Armed Forces Readiness Center in Clackamas this month.

The Oregon Military Department has requested funding for a new construction of the Washington County Readiness Center in Hillsboro, which is currently in negotiations and scheduled for a 2023 construction bid with potential opening by late 2024.

D Company is comprised of approximately 90 Citizen-Soldiers and the unit is scheduled to mobilize for overseas missions this winter for approximately one year. 

As a Glencoe High School alumni and somebody that calls Hillsboro his hometown, Lt. Col. Kyle Akers, commander of the 2-162nd Infantry Battalion, said he is excited to maintain and grow the community relationship during the unit’s 2020 deployment.   

“We are proud to be a part of, remain a part of, and quickly return to our new home in the Hillsboro community,” said Akers. 

The Oregon Guard Soldiers in this unit have participated in past deployments to Iraq in 2009 and Afghanistan in 2014.  Many of these Guardsmen have also been activated for State Active Duty to assist with fighting wildfires. 

This event is open to families, friends, neighbors and employers to visit with unit members as they depart the old Hillsboro armory.