PRESS RELEASE

March 22, 2005

Lansing—A Michigan Army National Guard general will personally deliver a message of thanks on behalf of his troops serving in Iraq to the Michigan State University men’s and women’s basketball teams, today, at 2 p.m.

Brig. Gen. Robert V. Taylor, the assistant adjutant general for the Michigan Army National Guard, received an e-mail, yesterday, from one of the 2,000 Michigan Guard members deployed overseas in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The message titled "MSU in Iraq" told the general that the MSU flag, signed by basketball coaches Tom Izzo and Joanne P. McCallie, had been proudly raised at the beginning of the NCAA Tournament that the troops have been watching.

"These Soldiers are in harm’s-way every day, they are away from their families, they live in tents and, other than going home, there’s just not a lot to look forward to," said Taylor. "But watching the determination of the men’s and women’ s basketball teams, gives our troops inspiration, pride and a morale boost that keeps them going. It’s events like this that give meaning to their work. The United States is able to continue public gatherings that draw large crowds because freedom reigns at home, thanks to the men and women of our military."

Taylor will present a plaque with photos of deployed Michigan National Guard members and the MSU flag, prominently flying somewhere over the desert in Iraq.

Today, a little more than 2,000 Michigan National Guard Soldiers and Airmen are deployed across the globe, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. However, as they serve the nation, more than 9,000 Michigan Guard members remain, in reserve, ready to respond to state emergencies including homeland defense events.

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Media Advisory

The presentation will be held today, 2 p.m., in the Berkowitz Atrium between the men’s and women’s athletic offices on the east side of the Breslin Center. Media is invited to attend . For more information, contact Maj. Dawn Dancer at 517-483-5600 or 517-896-0860