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McKenzie Soldiers

Three soldiers, from McKenzie, have been serving their country in Iraq for the last three months. The soldiers are members of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 194th Engineer Brigade (TA), Tennessee Army National Guard, Jackson, Tennessee. Mobilized in late October of last year the 194th deployed to Iraq in late December in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 04-06.

The 194th is in charge of all engineer operations in Southern Iraq. Alpha Company, 230th Engineer Battalion, Tennessee Army National Guard from McKenzie is attached to the 891st Engineer Battalion, Kansas Army National Guard which is under command of the 194th.

The three troops from McKenzie serving in the Headquarters Company are (from left to right) Master Sergeant Darryl Poiner, Specialist Thomas Clark and Sergeant First Class Glynn Jones.

Master Sergeant Poiner is married and he and his wife are parents of five children. MSG Poiner is employed at MTD in Martin. In Iraq he is the communications chief for the 194th.

Specialist Clark is a graduate of McKenzie High School and a student at the University of Tennessee at Martin. He is the son of Victor and Vicki Clark of McKenzie. Specialist Clark works in the operations section for the 194th.

Sergeant First Class Jones is married and has four children. SFC Jones is the owner operator of Glynn Jones Electric Company in McKenzie. While in Iraq he is a construction inspector for the 194th.

The soldiers would like to say that "morale is high and we are here to get the job done". They would also like to express their thanks for all the support they have received since being deployed and "can't wait for the day when we can sit down and read the 'Banner' in our homes instead of two weeks later in Iraq".

Story and photos by SFC Pete Quinton, S-5/PAO,
194th Engineer Brigade (TA)
Tennessee Army National Guard
Tallil, AB, Iraq