Guard sergeant cites unbreakable bond with local firefighters at La Grande ceremony
1st Sgt. Mark Kretchmer of the Oregon Army National Guard told attendees the Guard and local fire service are 'two sides of the same coin,' praising mutual support in wildfire and emergency response.
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1st Sgt. Mark Kretchmer of Charlie Company, 2nd Battalion, 186th Infantry Regiment, told the La Grande audience that the Guard shares deep ties with volunteer and career firefighters in Oregon communities. Kretchmer said the citizen-soldier identity often overlaps with local firefighters — mechanics, teachers and business owners who serve their neighbors in both roles — and praised the Guard's role in wildfire response and other emergencies.
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