Welcome 191

Warm welcome on a cold day

Kevin Bonham Grand Forks Herald
Published Wednesday, January 14, 2009

FARGO — Spc. Eric Sansburn clutched his son, Zakary, handed him a camouflage-outfitted Teddy Bear and then gave him a big bear hug at Hector International Airport. "It's been a long time, and he's grown so much," the soldier said of Zakary, who will turn 3 on Jan. 31.
Sansburn, who lives in Grand Forks, was one of about 90 soldiers of the North Dakota National Guard's 191st Military Police Company who flew Wednesday into Fargo, ending a year-long deployment in Iraq.

hey were greeted by the National Guard brass, the Patriot Guard and hundreds of flag-waving, sign-carrying friends and family members, a crowd so thick it was difficult for some soldiers to slice their way through."The trip was long, as expected, but it's so good to be back here," Sansburn said. "Thirty below? That's nice. Not that I like the cold. Just getting home is great, so the weather's fine."
The 191st MP Company, based in Fargo, with detachments in Mayville and Bismarck, mobilized in October 2007 and was sent to Iraq in January 2008. Its members come from 40 different cities around the state.
The roster includes soldiers from Grand Forks, Devils Lake, Brocket, Crary, Emerado, Fort Totten, Hope, Langdon, Leeds, Minnewaukan, Page, Pembina, Portland and Thompson, as well as East Grand Forks and Warren, Minn.
During its yearlong deployment in Iraq to perform military police, security and maneuver support operations, the company completed almost 1,300 missions and traveled more than 120,000 miles.
Among the company's accomplishments were assisting in 74 detainee releases and training 346 Iraqi police in rigorous, 15-day training programs that incorporated weapons training, Iraqi law, police tactics and physical training.
The MPs also ensured they left everything better than they found it, including relations with the local communities, living quarters, communications, Iraqi police stations, vehicles and other equipment, said the company's leadership, Capt. Ben Cleghorn, commander, and 1st Sgt. Kevin Keefe, Devils Lake, the unit's senior enlisted soldier.
Almost 10 percent of the 187 soldiers who deployed with the 191 MP Company last January did not return home with the rest of the company, however. Sixteen decided to extend their tour from anywhere between four and 13 months.
During the mobilization, the soldiers earned 21 Bronze Star Medals and 153 Army Commendation Medals. Two of the Commendation Medals were for specific acts of heroism with "V" device for valor, and 72 soldiers earned Combat Action Badges to recognize their direct participation in combat operations.
Four Purple Heart Medals were awarded to MPs who were wounded in action.
This was Sansburn's first deployment to Iraq. The 2002 Grand Forks Red River High School graduate was attending UND when his unit was called for duty.
"I've always wanted to do something in that line or work, so that's why I chose this," he said of the military police.
He's got three years and a few months left in the Guard.
"I did what I had to do," he said of the Iraq deployment. "Now, I'll try to pursue a career in federal law enforcement, like U.S. Customs and Border Enforcement or Border Patrol."
But not next week or perhaps even next month.
"I just want to unwind for a little bit," he said, "and spend some time with my son and my family."
Reach Bonham at (701) 780-1110; (800) 477-6572, ext. 110; or send e-mail to kbonham@gfherald.