The North Dakota Army National Guard saluted America, freedom and members of the 141st Engineer Battalion unit from the Bismarck area with a ceremony Sunday.

Over the next three weeks, the National Guard is saluting members of the 141st throughout the state.

"The Freedom Salute Campaign is very important to the National Guard," said Michael Haugen, Adjutant General for the North Dakota National Guard. "It's the perfect way to show the soldiers, families and employers how important they are as we continue to support our nation in the war effort."

Each member was presented with an American flag, a certificate, a coin and a lapel pin. In addition, employers who supported soldiers employed with them during their extended absence were presented with a medal of honor.

The battalion consists of soldiers from Bismarck, Valley City, Jamestown, Dickinson, Williston, Hettinger and Mott. The 475 members left North Dakota on Dec. 28, 2003, and returned between February and May of this year.

During this time, the soldiers patrolled roads in Iraq to ensure safe travel for all military forces. They cleared over 250,000 miles of roads and searched over 2,900 vehicles and 4,600 personnel. They found 314 roadside bombs.

Although times were difficult, the soldiers had no lack of support from home. During their time in the Middle East, members of the 141st received 40,000 pieces of mail and 10 tons of packages.

Rep. Earl Pomeroy, D-N.D. addressed the soldiers, thanking them for their bravery and sacrifices.

"You've been back for a while and you keep hearing us thank you," Pomeroy said. "We still think it and we're going to keep saying it."

The ceremony also addressed four North Dakotans who lost their lives defending freedom. James J. Holmes, of Grand Forks, Philip Brown, of Jamestown, Lance J. Koenig, of Fargo, and Cody Wents, of Williston were killed in action between May and November 2004.

The Freedom Salute Campaign began in December 2003 and has recognized more than 100,000 soldiers and their family members and employers. The National Guard will recognize soldiers in Williston on Aug. 12, in Dickinson on Aug. 13 and in Mott and Hettinger on Aug. 14.

(Reach reporter Katie Brown at 250-8225 or cops@bismarcktribune.net.)