NY Army National Guard Sgt. Becca Meerwarth, a Watervliet resident, reenlists at Kuwait historic landmark

KUWAIT (11/10/2020) — New York Army National Guard Sgt. Becca Meerwarth, a Watervliet resident who is currently deployed to Kuwait, reenlisted for another term of service in front of a Kuwait national landmark during a ceremony on October 30, 2020.

Meerwarth, along with Staff Sgt. Jared Forst, a Baldwinsville resident, were reenlisted by Col. Sean Flynn, the chief of staff of the 42nd Infantry Division in front of the Martyr's Museum in Al Qurain, Kuwait.

The two work for Flynn in the division's command group and reenlisted for six more years in the Army National Guard.

What is now a museum was the site for a battle between Kuwaiti resistance forces and the Iraqi Army on February 24, 1991 during the Persian Gulf War.

A group of Kuwait students were preparing to support American and other forces preparing to liberate Kuwait when Iraqi troops attacked. After a ten hour battle only seven of the 19 Kuwaiti's survived.

"I learned a lot during this deployment about my job," Meerwarth said. "I was able to do a lot, including getting my combat patch."

Meerwarth took part in a Mobile Command Post Operation in the Kingdom of Jordan, which is designated as a combat zone, doing her job with the support of only two other Soldiers from the Command Group.

During the ceremony Meerwarth was also awarded an Army Commendation Medal in recognition of her excellent work during the deployment.

She also received a general officer's challenge coin, an unofficial thanks for good work, from Brig. Gen. Thomas Spencer, the 42nd Infantry Division's Deputy Commander for Support.

"Every section needs a Sgt. Meerwarth," he said. "She is approachable, which is good, and this coin is a small sign of our appreciation of you."

Soldiers of the 42nd Infantry Division deployed to Kuwait and the Middle East in March to assume the role of providing command and control for the Task Force Spartan, they Army's 10,000-Soldier component in the Middle East.

They are expected to return to New York later this month.

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