Holben gives Taft flag
that flew over Iraqi base
-- GSD Office of Properties and Facilities, May 2004

An Ohio flag that flew over a DAS employee's Iraqi base camp was given to Governor Bob Taft.

Veteran Gary Holben, budget and purchasing officer for the GSD Office of Properties and Facilities, presented Taft the flag during the General Services Division service pin ceremony May 5. The flag flew above the 705th Transportation Company's "Buckeye Base Camp" Tactical Operations Center at Sustainer Army Airfield, Iraq.

Holben was commander of the U.S. Army's 705th Transportation Company deployed to Iraq in April 2003 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. During his unit's 12 months in Iraq, the unit of 148 soldiers hauled a record 25.1 million gallons of fuel; drove more than 1.7 million miles; and completed 266 missions.

Holben said that one of the highlights of his time at "Buckeye Base Camp" was running the Ohio flag up the base camp flagpole and then sending the flag to an Ohio friend.

Holben was among 44 GSD employees and about 150 DAS employees recognized for reaching service milestones during Public Service Recognition Week, a celebration held May 3 to 9 to honor public servants. He received his 10-year service pin.