Army Sgt. Antonio L. Mason is 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 helped enhance security in the region and is focusing 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 stability to the region.

Mason is a medical operations supervisor with the Headquarters, Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Infantry Division.

He is the son of Wilbert L. Mason of Virginia Beach, Va., and Audrey M. Bell of Ocala, Fla. His wife, Jessica, is the daughter of Larry Grant of Leeds and Mary Grant of Auburn.