Campaign will raise funds for Guard families

BOISE – The Idaho Stampede and US Bank kicked off a campaign on Tuesday to raise tens of thousands of dollars for the support groups for families of the 1,600 Idaho National Guard members currently training for deployment later this year to Iraq.

“These men and women are showing their commitment to preserving the safety and security of our nation,” Gov. Dirk Kempthorne said. “Now we have a chance to step up and make a commitment to their families.”

The campaign will raise money for family emergencies through the sale of metallic red, white and blue ribbons that can be attached to cars and trucks. The ribbons will be available for $5 each at all 68 US Bank branches in Idaho with all the proceeds going to the support fund.

The announcement came as state Adjutant General Jack Kane said the advance detachment of the guard contingent moved to Fort Polk, La., on Tuesday to prepare for the 116th Brigade Combat Team’s mission readiness exercise.

Kane said the rest of the brigade will move over the next 10 days to Fort Polk from Fort Bliss, Texas, where they have been training since July.

Kane said the mission readiness exercise should be completed on Oct. 20 and leaves for the troops would likely begin shortly after that.

While there is no fund-raising goal for the magnetic ribbon campaign, Kane urged Idaho residents to be generous, and US Bank Regional President Jim Grigsby predicted the campaign could raise $50,000 or more.