In the beginning.............

This is the story of me, Craig Brenden, as I make way for my departure to serve with the 34th Infantry Division "Red Bull" Band on a year long tour of duty in Iraq. This whole journey began in February of 2008 with a phone call from our commander, Chief Warrant Officer 3 (CW3) Trygve Skaar. Chief called to let us know that we were to prepare to deploy to Iraq for a time of not less than one year. What a bombshell! Here after 27 years of military service, I was actually looking at the possibility of entering an area of armed aggression. I viewed it as an honor to serve my country and fellow soldiers. Being told that our main mission was to be supporting the troops with music was definately comforting to me (not as much to my wife, Karen, since I would be leaving home for an extended period of time). We would be able to put to test our skills as professional musicians to bring a piece of home to those serving daily in harm's way.

After discussing this whole deal with Karen, she understood my commitment to serve my fellow soldiers. This has not been an easy thing for her, but she has stood by my side the whole way. What a woman! She has known of my intense love of music (of course we met at North Dakota State University), as music majors, ("Go Bison" - that 's for you Hughy) and of my need to serve others. All of this has put things into a faster spin for me at home with Karen, and our kids, Jake and Kirsten. What to do next, what needs to be done now, etc., etc. Well we kind of felt our way through the whole process. Lots of questions, a few problems solved, a lot of things to figure out as we go forward with this adventure. But it all seems to be working out the way we thought it would so far. There's always another question, soon to be followed by some sort of answer.

Of course it wasn't just my family that was affected by this whole deployment thing. It also played out into my civilian job. I'm lucky to work in the Waseca Public School system. From the beginning, my principal, Bill Bunkers, has been a huge supporter of what I'm doing. He continually asked me what I needed to help ease some of the transition issues of this whole ordeal. And I'm deeply thankful for that. Also a huge thanks to John Rokke, our superintendent, for his help in making sure that things are getting done. Of course the entire staff at Waseca Junior High, you guys are the best! Always supportive and helping to keep me on an even keel this past year. The music department also, you've all become treasured friends in my short time in Waseca. But my biggest admiration goes out to the music students at Waseca High School and Waseca Junior High. You all work so hard to present a positive musical experience for the school, community and each other. I am truly blessed to work with you and learn from you. You guys are the greatest in the world! And remember, Mr. Jimmerson keeps sending videos to me through Karen, so I'm watching and listening.

As a band, we started to put into place the pieces of the puzzle. I'm the NCOIC (Non-Commissioned Officer In Charge) of the Red Bull Riders, we play both kinds of music; country and western, with a little old time R&R for good measure. We have a good mix of people in our group that work hard to improve every time we get together. It's fun sharing music and growing together from individuals into a group. Quite an adventure. We've had a few personnel changes since our inception and are starting to develop an identity all our own. And putting out a pretty good product for only functioning as an ensemble since this last August.


Well we started to train in earnest this past summer and fall with three separate 7 day training assemblies to refresh our minds (not to mention our bodies) on our basic soldierly tasks. Things like convoy training, weapons, shoot and move tactics, first aid, communications, etc. Tasks that I haven't used in a long time. With some new ideas thrown into the mix. We made it through all of that pretty well. Everyone's attitude was the key to success in this endeavor. Physically and mentally tasking, but very rewarding.

Of course we still had to do our musical mission at the same time. Chief Skaar kept us focused on our main mission, music. It was up to each group to determine what music to play and he gave us complete autonomy to go forward. Wasn't always the smoothest, but we keep ironing out the wrinkles as we go. Every month at our regularly scheduled drill weekends, we kept pounding out ideas and perfecting our craft. It's a lot of fun to work with folks who have common bond and common goal.

In early February 2009, the "Red Bull Riders" had their big debut and the send-off for all the troops at the Roy Wilkens Auditorium in St. Paul. Quite an event! Thousands of people, family and friends, wishing us Godspeed in our journey. For me, it was an honor to have Mom and Dad, my brother, my sister and her family; and of course Karen, Jake and Kirsten there to share in this major milestone in my life. A very pleasant surprise, was to see my principal, Bill Bunkers there to be a part of the event. Thanks so much Bill.

Well, that's probably enough for now. Don't think I've sat down and kicked out my thoughts in this fashion in year. Kind of refreshing to do. My goal is to work to keep a weekly blog going, or more often as the case my dictate. Up next our stay at Ft. Lewis, Washington and the preparations at MOB (mobilization) station. So stay tuned for the next installment.