The First Battalion 109th Infantry Regiment of the PA Army National Guard was deployed to Kuwait in late November. Their mission is to provide security at several camps that were used to transition forces and equipment from Iraq back to the US. The Battalion was informed that the government of Kuwait has authorized the display of flags state of the service men and women represented.
In the harsh desert environment, flags last only about two weeks before showing wear. The Battalion is covering multiple camps for a nine-month assignment that started in early December. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania was not able to allocate any funding to purchase flags. Captain Ryan Hopkins, son of James Hopkins (Senior Engineer, York Environmental) is the Commander of D Company, 1/109 IN. Ryan, an Engineering Officer and architectural graduate of Notre Dame, asked for his father’s assistance in seeking donations so the Pennsylvania state flag could be displayed. Jim reached out to Buchart Horn as well as other businesses and organizations in Pennsylvania for flag donations. Buchart Horn and numerous others donated flags so Pennsylvania can be proudly represented in Kuwait.
Upon completion of the assignment in Kuwait, a flag will be returned to Buchart Horn packaged for display purposes to show the Battalion’s appreciation. Buchart Horn is grateful for the service of our men and women in uniform.