New Age of Soldiers

A new generation of patriots are ready to take the front line.. On 9/11 some of these men and wom...  More »

A new generation of patriots are ready to take the front line.. On 9/11 some of these men and women heading to war were not able to drive, take a geometry class or even apply to college. Brad Feldman has the story of two soldiers preparing for their first tour of duty.... (Video of 9/11) It's a moment you never forget. (Erik Anderson/ ND National Guard) "I was sitting in home base class." (Chad Czeczok/ ND National Guard) "I was in spanish class." These two soldiers... Erik Anderson about to head to the front line in Iraq...and Chad Czeczok going to Afghanistan...were only in junior high when the United States was attacked on September 11th, 2001. (Erik Anderson/ ND NAtional Guard) "Being that young we just, I didn't, have any comprehension of actually being able to join themilitary when I was old enough and be fighting for." (Chad Czeczok/ ND NAtional Guard) "To be able to go after somebody that did that to us and to be a part of that is an honor." Preparing to fight for this country just eight short years later...it's an honor they never gave a second thought while sitting in their classrooms that fateful day. Here is a yearbook picture of ___ Chad Czeczok as a ninth grader... This is __ Erik Anderson when he was only in the seventh grade... (Erik Anderson/ ND National Guard) "I look back and see that and I can see how much I have grown since that picture. How much I have learned and the experiences that I have had between my military experiences and just graduating from high school and those kinds of things. Now that I am older and have a family it is just kind of unbelievable to look back and see that. Just two months from leaving family, friends, classmates and their favorite teachers behind...they prepare for another assignment.. (Chad Czeczok/ ND National Guard) "Look at the situation that we have all these people that have gone already more than once you know that is crazy and I havn't gone at all and it is not rightin my eyes. I have to put my foot forward." Brad Feldman KX News A sendoff ceremony will be held for the three units heading to Iraq and Afgthanistan this Sunday in Grand Forks. It will take place at 1:30 at the Grand Forks Armory..  « Less