By Gail Banzet

Whether overseas or in America, agricultural leadership student Robbie Haxton traveled many miles while serving in the National Guard. After completing a one-year-term in Iraq that ended in March 2004, this guardsman was called up once again to active duty to assist with Hurricane Katrina relief efforts.

A sophomore from Perry, Okla., Haxton was stationed on the Mississippi River in New Orleans from Sept. 1 until the first week of October. Working alongside a detachment platoon from Broken Arrow, Okla., Haxton assisted in a variety of duties that included pushing supplies such as food, water and toiletries to hurricane victims. His presence in the Gulf was used as security enforcement, offering protection to electric and gas repairmen on the job.

Haxton is part of a transportation/support battalion that includes several companies of soldiers, all of which were sent to the Gulf for relief assistance.

“There are around 100 soldiers to a company, and there were at least four different companies serving with us,” Haxton said. “Besides Oklahoma, soldiers were there from a lot of other states. There were even some from Wisconsin who had driven down to help.”

A member since Sept. 22, 2000, Haxton saw the National Guard as an opportunity to help pay for his college education. Raised in a rural, agricultural setting, his years of service have taken him around the globe. Even though his deployment in Louisiana was not his first trip to New Orleans, he had never traveled overseas until serving in Iraq.

Haxton believes his view of education has changed since joining with the National Guard. Serving overseas has taught him the importance of an education from Oklahoma State University.

“My view of school has taken a great turn,” Haxton said.

Now back in Perry, Haxton resumed class work this spring. His National Guard service will conclude Sept. 23, 2006, and he plans to finish his undergraduate degree and attend graduate school.

A soldier and a student, Haxton has expanded his horizons beyond Oklahoma and has gained a new appreciation for life’s opportunities.

“I guess in a way, my personality has changed,” Haxton said. “I now live life more to the fullest because you never know what tomorrow will bring.”