Army National Guard Provides Support To Seattle Police Department

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Story by CPT Scott Nelson, Photo Courtesy 81st Bde PAO   -   Posted Dec, 1999

     Frantic phone calls to reschedule 30 appointments, a quick trip to the barn to feed thirty horses, change into Battle Dress Uniform (BDU) and drive 1 hours to the Seattle Armory.

     That is what Private First Class Broox Trudeau-Rekes, a medic for Company C of the 181st Support Battalion and manager of an equestrian center in Port Orchard, WA. did after receiving the phone call alerting her for duty at the World Trade Organization (WTO) unrest in Seattle.   PFC Trudeau - Rekes arrived at the Seattle Armory on Tuesday evening, November 30th.  She deployed to Seattle with a Task Force from the 898th Engineer Battalion.

     Mustering up for the first formation that night Trudeau-Rekes stood with her fellow soldiers, ready to provide medical aid should it be needed.   Over the next four days Trudeau-Rekes was on duty for close to 16 hours a day, providing medical support not just for "her soldiers", but also for demonstrators and police as well.

     "I really want to go home as soon as possible", said Trudeau-Rekes. "I had to leave my horse unattended and reschedule 30 equestrian lessons at $25 an hour.  This duty is hard on my pocket book."

     She categorizes her experiences in Seattle as "surreal".  "I have been called every nasty thing you can think of", said Trudeau-Rekes, remembering her first two nights in Seattle.   "I was also blessed by a protester, so now I feel safer". She smiled as she described her encounter with the Tibetan protester.

     Trudeau-Rekes is a typical example of all the Washington National Guard soldiers and airmen who supported the Seattle Police Department during the conference.  All demonstrated exceptional professionalism and dedication to duty to the city of Seattle and to the State of Washington.

     Many of the residents expressed their sincere thanks for having soldiers like Trudeau-Rekes serve during the unrest.   "We feel safer because you are here", said one Seattle resident passing through the police line guarding a downtown area, "Thank you so much for coming".