WWE salutes National Guard unit

June 4, 2008

Paul Harrison, president of the Western Wisconsin Energy (WWE), and general manager Steve Christensen announced a recent contribution to the Wisconsin National Guard's 32nd Infantry Brigade. During the recent ceremony at the National Guard Armory in Menomonie, Harrison presented a NASCAR race car hood embossed with the National Guard 32nd Brigade "Red Arrow" unit patch. The hood is an exact replica of the hood that adorned the Hendrick Motorsports #24 car, driven by Casey Mears, during the Sept. 7 race at Richmond. Accepting the contribution was 32nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team Commander Col. Steven J. Bensend.

Harrison said "The WWE Board wanted to do something special to thank Wisconsin's soldiers for their efforts at home and overseas. The National Guard's contributions and dedication to the United States needs to be recognized at all levels. With this in mind, the WWE wanted to present this special ceremonial item to the 32nd Brigade."

Bensend thanked the WWE for the contribution, saying, "I plan on taking this symbolic contribution and presenting this to the troops of the 32nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team. It will be displayed with pride at the 32nd Brigade Headquarters located in Camp Douglas. ... Tributes like this demonstrate community support for our citizen soldiers, their families and employers as they continue to answer our nation's call."

Bensend has been a National Guard member since February 1978 when he enlised in Detachment 1, Company A, 1st Battalion 128th Infantry, then located in River Falls. He deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom for approximately 14 months and is among about 3,200 soldiers from the brigade currently on alert with expected mobilization to Iraq in 2009. Bensend grew up on a farm in Barron County and has served as a WWE board member since 2002.

State Representative Jeff Wood, an advocated for renewable fuel production and development, expressed satisfaction with the announcement.

"Whether contributing to the Boyceville Fire Department, providing prairie habitat reconstruction projects for area high schools or creating jobs for local residents, the WWE continues to impress me," he said. "I think the NASCAR presentation is a nice way for the WWE and thier followers to say thank you to the troops."

Christensen said, "NASCAR is such a popular sport, we thought this would be a unique way to say thank you to our soldiers."

The Dunn County News; Wednesday, June 4, 2008; Community News; A5