Army Spec. Alton W. Propst is currently deployed as a member of Task Force Marne, one of more than 20,000 soldiers from the Fort Stewart, Ga.-based 3rd Infantry Division and elements of the 101st Airborne Division from Fort Campbell, Ky.  The soldier is serving a 15-month tour in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

    With more than 53 patrol bases within their area of operation, the task force has made significant strides in enhancing security in the region.  Since the arrival of the task force more than a year ago, violence in the region has been reduced by more than 75 percent.

    The decrease in violence has allowed the task force to focus on rebuilding efforts, including local governance and economic development, along with medical treatment missions, providing fresh drinking water and working with local security forces and volunteers to provide a broad blanket of stability to the region.

    Propst is an intelligence analyst with the 3rd Infantry Division, Special Troops Battalion.  His home station is Fort Stewart.  He has served in the military for two years.

    He is the son of Alvin W. and Melody P. Hayes of Oakland Drive, Elkin, N.C.

    The specialist graduated in 2002 from Elkin High School, and received bachelor's degree in 2006 from Appalachian State University, Boone, N.C.