Ernie Litynski had made a big difference at Centaur Forge since he took over as president of the Burlington, Wis., farrier supply shop some months ago. He’s brought the organizational skills, leadership abilities and drive that you would expect from a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.

But as a West Point graduate, Litynski also took a vow to answer the call of his country and on Feb. 1, the father of two  left Burlington to answer that call and deployed with the U.S. Army Reserve to Iraq.

Litynski is a major in the Army Reserve and spent almost 6 years on active duty after he was commissioned following his graduation from West Point. He has been fulfilling his reserve commitment as a part-time instructor at Marquette University in Milwaukee.

In a letter posted on the Centaur Forge Web site (www.centaurforge.com), Litynski shared some of his thoughts regarding his deployment.

“Like so many other Americans, I have been asked to serve my country in Iraq. I will be in Baghdad for approximately 18 to 24 months,” he wrote. “Quite similarly, my father is a Reservist and is on his second tour of duty in Iraq. I graduated from West Point because I wanted to serve my country. I still do. I am taking a leave of absence with very mixed emotions. Not only will I miss my family but I will also miss all of you.

“Centaur has been good to me and my wife…