N.M. Guardsman Misses Family, But Finds Meaning In Mission

Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Cheryl Dilgard | New Mexico Army National Guard Soldier Mitchell Ration processes work for the Joint Task Force legal assistance office, March 21, 2008. Ration, a family man, loves his job but misses his wife and kids back in Albuquerque. Joint Task Force Guantanamo conducts safe and humane care and custody of detained enemy combatants. The JTF conducts interrogation operations to collect strategic intelligence in support of the Global War on Terror and supports law enforcement and war crimes investigations. JTF Guantanamo is committed to the safety and security of American service members and civilians working inside its detention facilities.  

03.25.2008

Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Cheryl Dilgard 

Joint Task Force Guantanamo Public Affairs

By Petty Officer 2nd Class Cheryl Dilgard
Joint Task Force Guantanamo Public Affairs

GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba – One of the newer Soldiers deployed to Joint Task Force Guantanamo hasn't wasted time pursuing meaningful activities in Guantanamo. He is currently preparing to participate in a local version of a national event that has a rich tradition in his home state of New Mexico, the Bataan Memorial Death March.

Army Sgt. Mitchell Ration of the New Mexico Army National Guard has been training diligently for the memorial march that will be held March 30. The Bataan Memorial Death March memorializes the experiences of American (many of whom were N.M. Guardsmen) and Filipino prisoners-of-war who were brutally force marched by their Japanese captors from one camp to another during World War II. Many lost their lives along the way due to beatings and starvation.

"Last year I did the Bataan Memorial Death March in White Sands, N.M. It took me seven hours. It's a marathon and I marched it. It was about 80 degrees and no wind. It was kind of funny because by mile 13, of the 26 mile march, I was being passed up by moms that were speed walking and kids that would run ahead of their parents then run back to them." Ration continued, "It is cool though because the New Mexico survivors of the Bataan Death March are waiting at the finish line."

Ration's motivation to get involved in this meaningful event extends to other activities that he is looking forward to on this deployment. When Ration is not running in preparation for the memorial march, he enjoys playing basketball and he is looking forward to the basketball and soccer leagues that are starting soon.

Ration enjoys another activity that sets him apart from many in the modern era of email and easy telephone access: writing letters by hand.

"Anyone can email, but it is nice to sit down and write or even receive a hand written letter," said Ration.

The majority of the letters Ration writes are to his wife back home in Albuquerque. Ration, a devoted husband and father of five, volunteered for the one-year deployment to JTF Guantanamo. Initially, he thought he was volunteering for six months, but as fate would have it, the six months soon turned into a 12-month deployment.

Nevertheless, Ration was excited about the opportunity to deploy with his unit, especially since he knew would be in good company.

"When you work for a man (Brig. Gen. Gregory Zanetti) that good it is hard to not to come on deployment. Also, I had done a short deployment before with Capt. Morales and it was nice to know I would be here working with good people," said Ration.

He is also grateful to have found a pseudo-family in the staff judge advocate's office where he is presently assigned.

"JAG (Judge Advocate General) corps is like family; they are a good group of people and take good care of us." Ration continued, "The JAG corps here is like my family away from family. (Navy) Capt. McCarthy (the Staff Judge Advocate) does a great job at making us feel welcome. He has invited us into his home to spend time with his family. Capt. McCarthy has six kids so it reminds me of my home, filled with kids, chaos and love."

Ration is also deeply religious and believes that the spiritual support he receives is an important factor in the success of his deployment. Ration shared that just prior to leaving New Mexico, Ration's father had to undergo heart surgery. New Mexico Army National Guard Chaplain Capt. Scott Brill, who is also deployed, was at the hospital with the Ration family at 6 o'clock the morning of his father's medical crisis.

"The religious side of the house makes everything work out; it's what we base our families and work on." Ration continued, "The chaplain and assistant take good care of troopers and their families," said Ration.

Ration's began his military career as a Marine from 1985-1990. After a break in service, he spent three years in the Army Reserves before coming to the Army National Guard. Ration enjoys the National Guard. He believes his mission with the Guard and the JTF are important; his only hesitation is missing his family.

"If I could have my family here, I would volunteer to stay three or four years," said Ration.

• Date Taken: 03.25.2008
• Date Posted: 03.28.2008 16:36
• Story ID: 17878