HEADING TO IRAQ

Herkimer Evening Telegram (NY)
Heading to Iraq, soldier leaves flag

Friends and family watch as Lt. Kevin March donates an American flag to Larry Spencer, commander at the Ilion American Legion.

By Stephanie Sorrell-White
Evening Telegram
Mon Jan 25, 2010

As Lt. Kevin March prepared to ship out to Iraq, he took the time to leave a memento with his military comrades.

During a ceremony in front of the Ilion American Legion on Saturday, March presented an American flag to Commander Larry Spencer. He obtained the flag - which was flown over Camp Taji in Iraq on Veteran’s Day - from his battalion commander.

“I did it out of respect for the past guys, legion members and the soldiers that fought in all the wars,” said March, noting particularly those who served from Herkimer County.

March is an Army engineer with the 705th Military Police Battalion. He said he decided to join just over two years ago when he was inspired by his 21-year-old son Bryan - who is currently stationed in Afghanistan.

March said he was glad to have the opportunity to serve the whole nation now as part of his first overseas tour.

Since he will be gone for about a year, he will miss the graduation of his 17-year-old twin daughters - Shannon and Alexis - from Ilion Jr./Sr. High School.

“It’s a huge milestone for my daughters. Unfortunately, where I am in my life, I don’t have the possibility of seeing it,” he said.

March - a 1983 graduate from Ilion High School - said he is hoping the school will be able to transfer a live feed to his unit so he can watch his daughters graduate.

“We’re sad he’s leaving, but it’s for good intentions” said Shannon March.

On Sunday, March returned to where he is stationed in Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas. His unit is due to ship out on Thursday.

Spencer said March has become a good friend over the 20 years he’s known him.

“I’m a two-time Vietnam vet and it always makes me proud,” he said. “Very proud to have people like him.”