Dr. Curtis Liedtke, a family practice physician and ruling elder at Foothills Community Church (PCA) in Sturgis, S.D., decided at age 60 to join the South Dakota Army National Guard and is now deployed to Iraq.

Family and friends of South Dakota Army National Guard’s Maj. Curtis Liedtke gathered on June 30, 2011 at Camp Rapid for an activation ceremony prior to his deployment to Iraq for 90-120 days in support of Operation New Dawn.

Liedtke, a Sturgis resident, serves as a physician in the 730th Area Support Medical Company of Vermillion.

Liedtke decided after serving the Black Hills community for more than 30 years to retire from his family practice in Sturgis and started working as a full-time emergency physician in Spearfish. It was then, at the age of 60, he also decided to commission into the South Dakota National Guard.

“I joined the National Guard later in life to take this opportunity to serve,” said Liedtke.

Liedtke was commissioned last June and will leave for his first deployment this weekend.

“My greatest apprehension is leaving my wife, children and grandchildren at home,” said Liedtke. “At the same time, it’s a great opportunity to serve in the capacity of medical care to the wounded.”

He will work in a Level III hospital in Iraq taking care of the wounded and any other Soldiers who may need help on the base.

“It is a great privilege and honor to serve our state and nation,” said Liedtke. “I look forward to this opportunity. I believe God has gifted me with a little bit of strength, and energy, and the mentality to serve not only our country, but to serve Him.”