Writer’s Perspective

By Tim Douglass, Writer of the Pope County Tribune

It was good to see our personal Minnewaska Space Faculty Superintendent Chip Rankin featured on a statewide tv report earlier this week. 

As locals know, Supt. Rankin can be a Battalion Commander Lt. Col. within the Minnesota Nationwide Guard and he and his battalion are being deployed to Africa this summer season.

The information report, performed by KSTP Channel 5 featured Rankin and the way this deployment was more difficult because of the corona virus pandemic.   He mentioned deployment is harder due to the unknowns he and his fellow troopers’ households will face throughout the deployment due to the pandemic.

As many people within the Minnewaska Space Faculty District know, Rankin will not be solely a Minnesota Nationwide Guard Commander, he’s our superintendent and a father of 4.

“You realize, time retains ticking and so that you’re continually having to prioritize what you’re not going to have the ability to do as a result of there simply gained’t be sufficient time,” Rankin mentioned within the KSTP report.

He mentioned his battalion might be on a peacekeeping mission in Djibouti as a part of Operation Enduring Freedom.

“I feel lots of people in America neglect that we’ve got troopers and repair members deployed internationally on a regular basis,” Rankin mentioned within the report.

As he prepares to be gone for the subsequent 12 months, he’s making an attempt to spend high quality time along with his spouse and children, whereas additionally wrapping up the college 12 months for 1,400 college students in Minnewaska Space Faculties who’ve been coping with the challenges of distance studying since faculties have been closed by governor order in March. Add to that organizing a novel commencement ceremony for the Minnewaska Class of 2020.  That’s lots with out having to arrange for deployment.

Rankin has deployed two different occasions to Iraq and Afghanistan.

He famous it’s at all times a sacrifice however mentioned he’s so happy with the troopers who might be serving alongside him in Africa.

“They’re out of your hometown. They’re out of your neighborhood,” Rankin mentioned. “They arrive from each stroll of life they usually’re going to do their best to make this world a greater place.”

In lieu of deployment ceremonies in any respect unit Armories because of social distancing necessities, the battalion can have a non-public departure ceremony at Camp Ripley on June 19, it was reported. They deploy to Africa in July.

On this Memorial Day weekend after we bear in mind all those that died in service of the USA of America, we also needs to take a number of moments to contemplate those that at the moment are serving our nation.  As Rankin mentioned, they’re from our hometowns, are our neighbors and they’re placing different duties on maintain, leaving their households to serve our nation in international lands.  

It’s important that we respect that service and thank them for doing what they do.

Thanks Lt. Col. Rankin and your Nationwide Guard battalion.