It’s A Girl!

Track Palin and Britta Hanson Courtesy The Palin Family

By Gary P Jackson

It’s a girl! Track and Britta Palin have announced the birth of a beautiful baby girl: Kyla Grace Palin.

Congratulations to the happy parents and grandparents.

Track and Britta are high school sweethearts. Track is an Iraq war veteran and is now helping run the Palin family fishing business.

Congratulations Track and Britta Palin!

Track Palin and Britta Hanson Courtesy The Palin Family

By Gary P Jackson

With all of the horrific news today, this is a real pleasure to report. It seems the Palin family has grown by one, As Todd and Sarah Palin’s oldest son Track, following in his parent’s footsteps, married his high school sweetheart, the beautiful Britta Hanson.

From People Magazine:

The Palin family is growing!

Sarah Palin’s eldest son, Track, 22, recently married his high school sweetheart, Britta Hanson, 21, in a small ceremony in Hatcher Pass, Alaska.

“Our families couldn’t be happier!” the Hansons and Palins tell PEOPLE in a joint statement. “These are two hard working, humble, active, studious young adults who grew up together. We’re tickled that after two decades of friendship we proudly witnessed their marriage, knowing their new life together will be blessed.”

The couple will have a larger wedding celebration this winter at Alaska’s Alyeska Ski Resort “when extended family and friends from the Lower 48 can travel north for a long ski weekend,” says the statement from Sarah and Todd Palin and the Rev. Duane and Elizabeth Hanson.

Britta and Track have been dating since high school. When Track was stationed overseas in 2008, Sarah Palin used to joke that she hadn’t heard from her son since his deployment, though his girlfriend had.

Track is now an Army Reservist who spent a year deployed in Iraq with a Ft. Wainwright Stryker Brigade. He plans to study at the University of Alaska after the commercial fishing season. Britta is a nursing student at the University of Alaska.

“The Hanson and Palin families are ecstatic and proud that Britta and Track married in one of our favorite spots in America, spectacular Hatcher Pass, Alaska,” says the statement. “It’s a site we’ve all shared fun memories of skiing, snowboarding, hiking and snowmachining.”

Duane and Elizabeth Hanson, Britta Hanson, Track Palin, Sarah and Todd Palin

Courtesy The Palin Family

We wish the Track and Britta a lifetime happiness and success.

All The President’s Men

By Gary P Jackson

Chuck, Todd, Track, Trig, Tripp

H/T: RuBegonia

Sarah Palin Welcomes Home 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team

From Alaska’s KTUU-DT:

FAIRBANKS, Alaska — Former Gov. Sarah Palin attended Thursday afternoon’s welcome home ceremony for the 1st Stryker Brigade from Fort Wainwright at the Carlson Center.

The public appearance is Palin’s first in the United States since resigning her office in July. Palin’s oldest son, Track, is a member of the brigade that recently returned from a yearlong deployment in Iraq.

“To Sarah Palin, who for the last year was the senior mom of the brigade and along with her husband Todd, is a distinguished member of the 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team,” Col. Burt Thompson, the brigade’s commander, said.

“Ma’am, thanks for being here today and allowing your son to serve in our brigade. Thank you both for what you have done for your extended Army family and thanks for your unwavering support.”

Current Gov. Sean Parnell, who took over for Palin, was among the officials who spoke at the Thursday afternoon public event.

“It is my honor to welcome the pride of Interior Alaska,” Parnell said. “All Alaskans welcome your homecoming. The world is a far better and safer place today because of the sacrifices you made.”

The Strykers deployed to the Diyala province of Iraq on Sept. 11, 2008.

“Today we celebrate a job well done and your safe return to Alaska and the Fairbanks community,” Maj. Gen. William Troy, commander of U.S. Army Alaska, said. “The teamwork between military and community here in Alaska is like nowhere else.

“By every account the Arctic Wolves acquitted themselves brilliantly.”

Said Thompson: “Gentlemen, I report to you mission accomplished.”

A memorial unveiled Wednesday at Fort Wainwright bears the names of 12 soldiers who died during the deployment. Seven were stationed at Fort Wainwright and five were attached to the brigade.

The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner reports the monument also bears the name of a dog, Sgt. Jok, killed by a bomb while searching a house.

The Brigade stands at attention:

Governor Palin is honored as the Brigade’s “senior mom”:

A memorial for those brave troops lost in battle:

For more video go here.

All photos courtesy of KTUU-DT Alaska