Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Four area students join Guard

Its a matter of patriotism; its a matter of opportunity for five young men from Nevada County who have become the latest members of the Arkansas Army National Guard.

Quartez Purifoy, 18, of Bluff City, and Rico Brown, 18, Daniel Hebert, 18, Jon Henry, 18, and Jeremy Henry, 17, all of Prescott, have committed to a six year enlistment in the AARNG, and will begin basic training after formal commitments have been completed.

Purifoy, Hebert, and Jon Henry will graduate from Prescott High School in May, while Brown graduated in 2004, and Jeremy Henry will graduate in 2006.

They represent the new face of the Arkansas 39th Brigade, a class of recruits who have been influenced by the changes in the Guard and the importance of its role since the beginning of the War in Iraq.

Ive always wanted to be in the military, Hebert said. Its something I just wanted to do to serve my country.

A member of the Future Farmers of America and Science Club at PHS, he said he wanted to take his education a step further through the Guard while making his contribution.

I hope to achieve greater physical strength and serve my country, Purifoy said.

A PHS athlete in football, track, and basketball, and a member of the 4-H Club, he also intends to pursue his education through Guard incentives for college.

While furthering his education is important to Jon Henry, he said a sense of giving something back to the community was significant in his decision to enlist.

I want to use it to make a good life for myself, he said.

Henry, who participated in football, basketball, and track in high school, intends to study physical therapy in college. He was named outstanding senior in his class and a Star Student, as well as DAR Good Citizen at PHS. His brother, Jeremy, also participated in football, basketball, and track at PHS, he said.

Brown, who also participated in football, basketball and FCCLA in high school, joined his fellow inductees in noting that Guard service is for him a good opportunity to further his education while making a patriotic contribution.

Itll help me get a good-paying job, he said.

After basic training at Fort Benning, Ga., the Nevada County recruits will take additional Guard orientation before being assigned to drill station in Prescott.

Arkadelphia-based recruiter Sergeant Todd Schultheiss said interest in Guard service declined for a time after the initial deployment of the Arkansas 39th Brigade to combat duty in Iraq.

But there has been an increase after the return, Sgt. Schultheiss said. I would say that our community is more patriotic now that we see our soldiers back home.

He said Guard service has changed in recent years, including a change in sign-up incentives announced only last week.

You no longer have to enlist for six years; you can now enlist for three years and get a $10,000 sign-up bonus, Schultheiss said.

He said educational benefits included in Guard service include as much as $1,167 per month from GI Bill, GI Bill Kicker, drill pay, and Veterans Administration Work Study incentives. Additional incentives include fully-paid college tuition, Guard Tuition Assistance Program incentives, enlistment bonuses, and up to $20,000 for payment on student loans.