Burnt Orange Report

Democratic Lawmaker to Serve in Afghanistan

By Byron LaMasters

Democratic State Rep. Rick Noriega (D-Houston), a member of the Texas Army National Guard has been called up to serve in Afghanistan. He will arrive there in September. The Austin American Statesman reports:

State Rep. Rick Noriega, a major in the Texas Army National Guard, said Monday he has been called into active military duty and will begin his deployment to Afghanistan next week.

Noriega, D-Houston, said he will go to Austin next week and from there will be sent to a stateside deployment site. He is set to arrive in Afghanistan sometime in August.

"I don't know how long I will be there," Noriega said Monday night from his home. He said he will be assisting with training soldiers in Afghanistan.

"I am being asked to augment a group of folks who are going to relieve a group of our Texas soldiers, who are already over there," the 46-year-old state legislator said. "This is what I signed up for. I am no different from anybody else that signed up to serve their country. If by me being deployed, it allows for some other soldiers to come home and be with their families, well, it is my turn at bat."

During his time overseas, Noriega said he will continue serving his constituents, updating his Web site and even polling Texas soldiers he encounters.

"I am still serving the district, just in a different manner," he said. "I have a lot of people from my district that are currently serving. I have three soldiers that have been killed in action. I think my district will understand I have been called to duty and I am still representing them."

I hope to hear from Rep. Noriega during our convention in two weeks. I think that he can offer a unique perspective on the war on terrorism as someone who will soon be sent to join the front lines.