A Nebraska hero

Dear Editor,

A colleague of mine who is currently deployed to Afghanistan has compiled a resume of accomplishments on his deployment that I believe are at a level to be recognized by our state and our city. 1st Lt. Russell Bartholow, a Lincoln native, is now the longest serving American soldier in Northern Afghanistan (ARSIC North) with two years.

Further evidence of his dedication and service are seen in his being awarded the Bronze Star Medal for his coordination of 12 million dollars of roads, school, clinics, and bridges, he is currently working on a $200,000 park that will be paid for by his coordinating Afghan business and local government leaders. 1st Lt. Bartholow has also bee awarded the Combat Action Badge and the Army Achievement Medal during his time. 1st. Lt. Bartholow, has a great deal of very unique civilian business skills that he has employed to expand and improve counterinsurgency operation in Northern Afghanistan, using marketing, negotiation, business planning and financial experiences along with an unparalleled personality. This utilization of civilian skills is the perfect example of what makes the

National Guard great, 1st. Lt. Bartholow has demonstrated amazing service an dedication and has embodied the ideals of the citizen soldier.

Before entering the Nebraska national Guard 1st Lt. Bartholow resigned from very profitable position as the University of Nebraska Director of Business Services, sold his home and entered OCS. 1st Lt. Bartholow pursued a commission on the fast track commissioning program and commissioned as a Transportation Officer. Upon completion of his Officer Basic Course 1st. Lt. Bartholow immediately began the process to volunteer for a deployment. 1st Lt. Bartholow tried for six months to get deployed, with his requests going as far and The Adjutant General. He was finally picked up by the South Dakota National Guard as J-4 for a team going to Afghanistan.

1st Lt. Bartholow has served for two years in Afghanistan. He first mobilized in Jan 2008 and is likely to return around late January 2010. 1st. Lt. Bartholow found himself in a situation in which he knew he could help and better serve in Afghanistan so he extended his deployment, twice. His first extension was for 9 months and his second was for 4 more. 1st. Lt. Bartholow has served this last 2 years with only a few weeks of leave, and is now happy to announce that he and his wife Julie are expecting their first child.

1st. Lt. Brandon Burton,

Lincoln

(EDITOR'S NOTE: The writer is a Bartley native.)