Johnstown soldier on front lines of freedom in Iraq

Courtesy Photo | AR RAMADI, Iraq (Oct. 21, 2005) -- Army Sgt. Shane M. Rudnik of Johnstown, Pa., serving here with the Pennsylvania National Guard's 876th Engineer Battalion, is the fuel section sergeant for his unit and works daily in one of Iraq's most active areas for clashes between coalition and insurgent forces. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Josh H. Hauser)(released)  

RAMADI, IRAQ

11.01.2005

Courtesy Story

DVIDS Hub       

By Sgt. Josh H. Hauser
2nd FSSG (FWD) PAO

AR RAMADI, Iraq (Oct. 21, 2005) -- Sixty years after Sgt. Mike Strank raised a flag atop Iwo Jima's Mount Suribachi, another Johnstown, Pa., native proudly serves his country in a time of war.

Sgt. Shane M. Rudnik of Johnstown serving here with the Pennsylvania National Guard's 876th Engineer Battalion in support of with the 2nd Marine Division, is the fuel section sergeant for his unit. He works daily in one of Iraq's most active areas for clashes between U.S. and anti-coalition forces. Rudnik and his fellow soldiers brave these dangerous streets providing essential fuel to service members within their area of operations as coalition efforts continue to purge Al Anbar's provincial capital of insurgents.

Nestled along the banks of the Euphrates River, Rudnik's base consists of a collection of units representing four branches of the U.S. Armed Forces. Pock-marked by the aftermath of rocket and mortar strikes, the camp is a far cry from the Allegheny Mountains Rudnik left behind in order to do his part in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

"I am here to support the mission in any way I can," the 26-year-old said. "We are making improvements everyday, and we have come a long way from when we first arrived here."

Leading his unit's fuel section, Rudnik is responsible for the delivery of fuel to a number of forward operating bases as well as the base his command operates out of. Without him trucks wouldn't move, roving patrols couldn't rove and communications would be nonexistent

The job of distributing upwards of 1,200 gallons per day to those in need is time consuming to say the least.

"Our guys rotate between 24 posts," Rudnik said. "Whenever they're not working, they're sleeping."

Instead of maneuvering his all-terrain vehicle through the wooded areas near his home in Pennsylvania, Rudnik travels Ramadi's streets in either a High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV) or a tanker truck loaded with fuel. Navigating Iraq's roads can be a dangerous and sometimes deadly task. Fortunately, Rudnik's unit has incurred no serious injuries to date. But service members here believe they are doing much more than simply securing Iraq.

"We are the best equipped and best trained fighting force to ever enter this country," he said. "Each and every soldier is putting his or her life on the line in order to ensure our freedom and way of life back in the United States."

With three months in country already under his belt, Rudnik faces another nine months of service in Iraq before heading home. However, his lengthy deployment here is a choice he made prior to setting foot in Iraq. This is his second deployment within the last three years.

In 2002, Rudnik was deployed to Germany in support of Operation Enduring Freedom for a period of eight months. After returning, he finished up the necessary requirements and graduated from the California University of Pennsylvania with a bachelor's degree in technology education. He was hired as a long-term substitute teacher at Blacklick Valley Junior/Senior High School, where he taught and helped coach the school's baseball and football teams. The following year he was asked back to a full-time position but Rudnik would not complete the year. Opting to answer another call to service instead, he left his wife, loved ones and career yet again - this time volunteering for a tour in Iraq.

"This time it was not mandatory for some soldiers to go," Rudnik said.

According to guidance from the Department of the Army relating to National Guard service, Rudnik's recent deployment to Germany meant he was not obligated to deploy to Iraq yet. After thinking it over and discussing it with his wife, Rudnik decided to deploy with the rest of his unit.

"It gave me peace of mind knowing that I would be deploying with people I already know and trust rather than being picked up by another unit and going on a different deployment," he said.

Rudnik and his wife, Lorie, have been married for a little more than three years. When his tour here is over they'll have spent two of those years apart from one another; a sacrifice each has dealt with in stride.

"The hardest part is not being together for holidays and anniversaries," Lorie said. "I always tell Shane I support what he is doing. I hate the time apart, but he is doing an honorable thing serving our country and helping others."

Like so many service members here, there are some experiences Rudnik chooses not to share with family back home. His parents, Mark L. and Trudy J. Rudnik, said they gauge their son's day by the tone of his voice during telephone conversations.

"You can tell a lot in his voice when he phones home," they said. "Some days are just harder than others. It is so uplifting to talk to him when he sounds good, but you know when things are going rough just by the sound of his voice."

As the Iraqi people prepare for yet another round of elections in December, Rudnik's wife, parents and brother, Chad, 24, continue to struggle with the pains of separation and the pride they feel for his devotion to duty.

"We are very proud of Shane and the sacrifices he has made for his country," his parents said. "And as a family, we are just trying to support him back here as best we can."

While the first snow of the year fell on Johnstown last week, Rudnik and the men and women assigned here had yet to see a drop of rain or temperatures below the 70s.

Rudnik said the upcoming holiday season is sure to bring its share of homesickness, but he and his fellow soldiers are a family as well and are more than accustomed to seeing each other through the good and hard times.

"I know there isn't going to be any snow and I may not be with friends and family back home, but we'll make the best of it," he said.

• Date Taken: 11.01.2005
• Date Posted: 11.01.2005 13:32
• Story ID: 3559
• Location: RAMADI, IQ