Approximately 3,300 Army National Guard men and women have been deployed to Iraq with the 32nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT). This is the largest single operational deployment of the Wisconsin Army National Guard since World War II.  These men and women are volunteer soldiers who left their families, homes, and jobs when called to duty.  They have chosen to make this sacrifice to serve our country and protect the freedoms we all share.  

Purpose:  The purpose of this organization is to bring individual citizens, Wisconsin communities and corporations together to show our heartfelt appreciation to the 32nd IBCT and their families for their continued sacrifices to defend our country.

Who We Are: We are a small group of volunteers- friends, family, and retirees of the 32nd, who saw a need, and want to coordinate a state wide and community based effort to give back to our soldiers.



Project: The project is three fold:

1. The main event was "Tailgating with the Troops", which provided a Wisconsin themed family day on Sunday, October 18, 2009, for our soldiers in Iraq to share with their families back home.  It was planned around a Packers home football game. In addition to the soldiers and families of the 32nd IBCT, the event also included the families of other units soldiers who are also deployed. The event was teleconferenced so the soldiers and families enjoyed the
   "tailgating party" and game together. (Completed)
2. To help facilitate and fund Red Arrow in the Sand, a historical book of the soldier's journey through this deployment.  This is a project the 32nd IBCT initiated and they are providing the documentation and photographs. We are assisting in the publication and distribution of the book.  Our goal is to provide each soldier a complimentary copy of this book as a thank you gift from Wisconsin.
3. Any surplus funds, upon completion of this project, will be given to support the soldiers of Wisconsin's Army National Guard and their families.

Goals and Objectives:

• Boost morale for both soldiers and families
• To thank our soldiers serving in Iraq
• Opportunity for communities to come together and say thanks
• To involve the entire State of Wisconsin and portions of Minnesota
• To provide a high quality and fun "family" event for all participants

Project Size:  

• To provide approximately 10,000 meals back home in Wisconsin.
• To publish 6,300 copies of the book Red Arrow in the Sand, and give 3,300 books for the soldiers.  Additional copies of the book are for sale to fund this project with the hope of getting copies into local libraries, as part of Wisconsin history.

Fund Raising: We are reaching out to individuals, communities, and corporations within Wisconsin and portions of Minnesota to help. We need to raise approximately $50,000 for the book project. People can help by purchasing books, or donate money to help pay for the books for the soldiers.  If we sell all of the extra copies of the books we are having produced, for every book bought, a soldier will be given a complimentary book as a thank you from the community.   In addition, we are looking for assistance to help transport the books from Topeka Kansas to Madison, Wisconsin in May.  We realize that times are tough for everyone, but we are reaching out to many potential contributors.  Even the smallest of gifts will help reach our goal and give all of us an opportunity to give back.  Look what these soldiers and families are sacrificing for us.  100% of the proceeds will be used to support this project.  All of the committee members are volunteers.