By Kristy Lesh
R-G Editor
Tuesday June 12, 2007
Dallas Hanson in his yearbook photo.
For a Peace River-born man, getting deployed to a war-torn county is a realization of a lifelong dream.Dallas Hanson, a Private First Class in the United States Army, has been deployed in Iraq since December 2006.He hasn’t been involved in any direct combat but enjoys interacting with the locals.“It’s fun going out doing patrols, working with the Iraqi national police, and the Iraqi army, talking with the locals, finding out what’s going on in their neighborhoods or mulhullahs,” he said in an recent online interview.He has seen gratitude from the locals about their mission.“The people love us, almost everyone we’ve talked with, while doing patrols ... have thanked us for what we are doing, a couple rather articulately in English.”Hanson was born in Peace River hospital Nov. 16, 1984. He was raised in Dixonville, Grimshaw and it was at a young age while living in Grande Prairie that he first spoke of his desire to serve on the front line. At the time coalition forces had driven Iraqi forces out of Kuwait ending Desert Storm.“He came home from kindergarten upset the war was over and he didn’t get to help,” said mom Wendy Hoffman.She said Christmas and birthday gifts always included something green from the army surplus store.In 1992 the family moved to Lethbridge where Hoffman attended university and later moved to Hudson’s Hope. At age 14 Hanson decided he wanted to be soldier.
The family moved to Kamloops, B.C and he became a Rocky Mountain Ranger Army Cadet.There was one big move, to Arkansas and finally Farmington, New Mexico, before Hanson could realize his dream. With family ties to the United States, he decided to pursue his career in the army there.“He wanted to be in combat and not just peacekeeping,” said Hoffman.After bootcamp and several years confirming his eligibility for citizenship, Hanson was enlisted in April 2006.“I had been prepared for it all his life, but I was not prepared when it did happen,” said Hoffman. Her son was deployed in December 2006 to Iraq. His unit is the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment with 84 Airborne.Hoffman said she is grateful for the internet which helps her keep in touch with her youngest son.“No news is good news just doesn’t fly,” she said.Hanson’s unit was on scene March 9 when Iraqi Army Division reported a suicide bomber attack on a bus several blocks from the Mustansiriyah University at 12:20 a.m. Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, responded and secured the scene, reporting seven Iraqi civilians killed and five wounded.Hanson said on a typical day they drive around in humvees, mounted patrols, stand by as a quick reaction force or security on clearing missions.He hasn’t encountered combat situations.“Our sector is fairly secure, although we do hear the occasional burst of gunfire, it is mostly from the Iraqi police or Iraqi army who use the shots to warn motorist to move out of the way,” he said in an online conversation.“On our off time we relax, go to the gym or the pool and work out,” he said.Hanson said it is hard being away from home.“Although we obviously have it easier than previous years with the 24/7 internet and phone access, it is still hard not being able to enjoy free time with friends and family.”Hanson says his thoughts on the war have changed since being deployed.“After having been here and seeing how the Iraqi people react to us, I feel that while yes we are still needed here, we did not really need to have the “surge” of troops as most of our units here do nothing more then police work and presence patrols.”Hoffman said she worries about her son like any other parent would.“I just carry on about my business, keep in touch as often as I can to make sure he’s okay.”The family still has relatives in Dixonville. Hanson’s older brother works in the oil patch near Fort St. John and his sister is in Ontario. View article
The family moved to Kamloops, B.C and he became a Rocky Mountain Ranger Army Cadet.There was one big move, to Arkansas and finally Farmington, New Mexico, before Hanson could realize his dream. With family ties to the United States, he decided to pursue his career in the army there.“He wanted to be in combat and not just peacekeeping,” said Hoffman.After bootcamp and several years confirming his eligibility for citizenship, Hanson was enlisted in April 2006.“I had been prepared for it all his life, but I was not prepared when it did happen,” said Hoffman. Her son was deployed in December 2006 to Iraq. His unit is the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment with 84 Airborne.Hoffman said she is grateful for the internet which helps her keep in touch with her youngest son.“No news is good news just doesn’t fly,” she said.Hanson’s unit was on scene March 9 when Iraqi Army Division reported a suicide bomber attack on a bus several blocks from the Mustansiriyah University at 12:20 a.m. Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, responded and secured the scene, reporting seven Iraqi civilians killed and five wounded.Hanson said on a typical day they drive around in humvees, mounted patrols, stand by as a quick reaction force or security on clearing missions.He hasn’t encountered combat situations.“Our sector is fairly secure, although we do hear the occasional burst of gunfire, it is mostly from the Iraqi police or Iraqi army who use the shots to warn motorist to move out of the way,” he said in an online conversation.“On our off time we relax, go to the gym or the pool and work out,” he said.Hanson said it is hard being away from home.“Although we obviously have it easier than previous years with the 24/7 internet and phone access, it is still hard not being able to enjoy free time with friends and family.”Hanson says his thoughts on the war have changed since being deployed.“After having been here and seeing how the Iraqi people react to us, I feel that while yes we are still needed here, we did not really need to have the “surge” of troops as most of our units here do nothing more then police work and presence patrols.”Hoffman said she worries about her son like any other parent would.“I just carry on about my business, keep in touch as often as I can to make sure he’s okay.”The family still has relatives in Dixonville. Hanson’s older brother works in the oil patch near Fort St. John and his sister is in Ontario. View article
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