At a time when it seems like the military is calling up every former soldier they can find, it seems odd that those willing and able to deploy should be turned down.  But that is exactly what happened to three former members of the Texas National Guard.  I say “former” because, after being turned down for voluntary deployment via their Texas chain of command, these solders “moved” to Arkansas to join a Guard Unit there in order to serve in Iraq or Afghanistan.  Spc. Chris Lawrence, Spc. Joey Bell, and Cpl Thomas Pena have been reunited in Iraq, where they are all serving proudly today.  Their full story can be found in the Navy Times.

While this story certainly calls into question why the military is turning down volunteers for deployment, when so many are being recalled involuntarily from civilian life, that is not the important part of this story. Rather, I would like to salute these three brave soldiers, and all the others like them, who are serving our country today, in locations around the world.  They are a constant reminder of the pride and patriotism of those in our military.  Thank you, gentlemen, for your service and God Bless you and your families.