WHEREAS, The 98th Medical Detachment was activated in October 1944 and, after serving in New Guinea in the Pacific theater, went on to participate in fourteen campaigns in Vietnam; and
     WHEREAS, Since permanently locating at Fort Lewis in October 1993 and becoming dedicated to combat stress control the 98th Medical Detachment has been to Cuba, Korea, Thailand, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Iraq; and
     WHEREAS, The 98th Medical Detachment deployed in 2003 to northern and central Iraq for sixteen consecutive months in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, and to southern Iraq from April 2005 to March 2006; and
     WHEREAS, On May 1, 2008, the 98th Medical Detachment began its third Iraq deployment, serving the entire 4th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division - Baghdad, and all units stationed at Camp Victory and Camp Liberty; and
     WHEREAS, The mission of the 98th Medical Detachment is to help soldiers cope with stress resulting from the constant grind of a combat zone, homefront issues or other mental challenges associated with being in theater, so they may return to duty rather than to a mental health facility or require evacuation for mental health reasons; and
     WHEREAS, The work of the 98th Medical Detachment includes one-on-one counseling, group counseling, instruction in stoicism and posttraumatic growth, training thousands upon thousands of soldiers and their leaders to recognize signs of mental challenges in others and to take action, and encouraging soldiers to seek assistance with mental challenges; and
     WHEREAS, A number of Senate staff members were honored to "adopt" the 98th Medical Detachment and provide "care packages" from the homefront during the holiday season of 2008-09; and
     WHEREAS, The members of the 98th Medical Detachment returned safely to Fort Lewis on March 14, 2009, from their most recent deployment to Iraq;
     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State Senate recognize the 98th Medical Detachment for its service to the United States and is pleased to have its members call Fort Lewis and the state of Washington their home; and
     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Secretary of the Senate to the commanders of the 98th Medical Detachment, the 62nd Medical Brigade, and the 4th Infantry Division.