2008 Woodie Awards
Students will deploy to Iraq in March
Issue date: 10/21/04 Section: News
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by Meg Ewald
Editor-in-Chief
Several current or former New Mexico State University students will deploy to Iraq in March 2005 with the all-volunteer 126th Military Police Company of the New Mexico National Guard.
Staff Sgt. Brett Bedinger of Portales graduated from NMSU with a degree in marketing. A member of the Guard for 14 years, Bedinger said he originally joined to help pay for college, "It grew on me," he said. "It just seemed like the right thing to do."
"The Guard kept me out of trouble, he said. "I've met friends for life, some of the most honorable people I've known."
After graduating, Bedinger moved back to Portales to join his family's real estate business. He said he and his wife are expecting their first child in March.
Bedinger said he is anxious, fearful and proud to go to Iraq. "When we put the uniform on, politics go out the window," he said.
Bedinger said he wants to make sure the soldiers that have already served in Iraq get to come home to their families.
Kevin Wilkinson, an NMSU sophomore from Yuma, Ariz., majoring in electrical engineering, said he has been in the Guard for one and a half years. Wilkinson said he hopes to graduate after returning from Iraq. He said he plans to make a career out of military service and would like to become an officer.
"The National Guard has allowed me to meet people of many different backgrounds," Wilkinson said. "It's given me a broader outlook on life."
He said joining the Guard made him more responsible, and added that he is ready to see what things in Iraq are like.
Ben Shockley, a junior from Farmington majoring in journalism, said he plans to serve in Iraq and then return to finish his degree. He has served for two years in the Guard.
"I'm scared, excited," Shockley said. "Going to Iraq is going to be a good experience, and I'll come back with a different view of life. I feel like it's something I have to do. I have a purpose, and I'm trusting the Lord."
Jeff Swanson, a sophomoremajoring in communications, said he joined the Guard because he got married and needed to take responsibility and make more money to support his family. He has served for two and a half years and said he did not expect to go to Iraq.
Editor-in-Chief
Several current or former New Mexico State University students will deploy to Iraq in March 2005 with the all-volunteer 126th Military Police Company of the New Mexico National Guard.
Staff Sgt. Brett Bedinger of Portales graduated from NMSU with a degree in marketing. A member of the Guard for 14 years, Bedinger said he originally joined to help pay for college, "It grew on me," he said. "It just seemed like the right thing to do."
"The Guard kept me out of trouble, he said. "I've met friends for life, some of the most honorable people I've known."
After graduating, Bedinger moved back to Portales to join his family's real estate business. He said he and his wife are expecting their first child in March.
Bedinger said he is anxious, fearful and proud to go to Iraq. "When we put the uniform on, politics go out the window," he said.
Bedinger said he wants to make sure the soldiers that have already served in Iraq get to come home to their families.
Kevin Wilkinson, an NMSU sophomore from Yuma, Ariz., majoring in electrical engineering, said he has been in the Guard for one and a half years. Wilkinson said he hopes to graduate after returning from Iraq. He said he plans to make a career out of military service and would like to become an officer.
"The National Guard has allowed me to meet people of many different backgrounds," Wilkinson said. "It's given me a broader outlook on life."
He said joining the Guard made him more responsible, and added that he is ready to see what things in Iraq are like.
Ben Shockley, a junior from Farmington majoring in journalism, said he plans to serve in Iraq and then return to finish his degree. He has served for two years in the Guard.
"I'm scared, excited," Shockley said. "Going to Iraq is going to be a good experience, and I'll come back with a different view of life. I feel like it's something I have to do. I have a purpose, and I'm trusting the Lord."
Jeff Swanson, a sophomoremajoring in communications, said he joined the Guard because he got married and needed to take responsibility and make more money to support his family. He has served for two and a half years and said he did not expect to go to Iraq.