Everett O'Donnell smiles as Malta Bend school district Superintendent Melissa Vesser announces at the Jan. 10 Board of Education meeting that he'll be vacating his spot on the board because he's being deployed to Kosovo. (Eric Crump/Democrat-News) [Click to enlarge]

Everett O'Donnell attended his last Malta Bend school board meeting -- at least, it was the last for a while -- even though his term has not yet expired.

He had a good excuse.

O'Donnell is one of a number of Saline County guardsmen being deployed for a year with Missouri National Guard units that will participate in the peacekeeping mission in Kosovo.

"If it wasn't for that, I'd still be on the board," O'Donnell said after the meeting. "I'll still be thinking about the school and the kids."

In fact, he's already thinking about running for a spot on the board again once he returns.

As far as board President Art Madden is concerned, O'Donnell would be welcome back.

"He'll be missed -- at MME (Mid-Missouri Energy) and on the board," Madden said.

The board will need to appoint a replacement to serve out the remaining year of O'Donnell's term.

Other Saline County communities sending citizen-soldiers as part of the guard contingent include Gilliam, 1; Malta Bend, 3; Marshall, 10; Nelson, 3; Slater, 4; and Sweet Springs, 1.

According to a news release from the Missouri Army National Guard, approximately 1,000 soldiers are being trained for the deployment, which is expected to last until March 2009.

The Missouri Guard's 110th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, of Kansas City, is leading the Multi-National Task Force with its mission to support the NATO-led Kosovo Force (KFOR).

Brig. Gen. Larry Kay, Missouri Army National Guard assistant adjutant general, is the task force commander for KFOR-10.

"I deeply appreciate the citizen-soldiers of our Missouri National Guard and their commitment to our country," Gov. Matt Blunt said. "I know they will serve with dignity and honor as they help with peacekeeping operations in Kosovo. May they remain in our hearts and prayers as they continue to serve a grateful state and nation."

Missouri's training will begin for some soldiers as early as February, when mission leadership begins their deployment, according to a guard spokesperson.

In April, the three main body portions of the mobilization will report to Camp Atterbury, Ind., for mobilization training, where training will be focused on placing soldiers in an environment similar to that in which will they will encounter while deployed.

This is the Missouri National Guard's largest single unit deployment of soldiers since World War I, according to the news release.

This mobilization will impact Missouri Army National Guard units throughout the state, including: 110th MEB, of Kansas City; Joint Force Missouri Headquarters, of Jefferson City; 70th Troop Command, of Jefferson Barracks (St. Louis), 1st Battalion - 129th Field Artillery, of Maryville; 1128th Forward Support Company, of Marshall; the 735th Quartermaster Company, of De Soto; 135th Signal Company, of Lexington; 135th Rear Operations Center, of St. Louis; the 70th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment, of Jefferson City; and the 3175th Military Police Company, of Warrenton.

Contact Eric Crump at marshalleditor@socket.net