District forester back to DNR duties after Iraq service

Eric Summerfield, a corporal in the Indiana National Guard, was back at his job as district forester for DNR Forestry District 13 on Jan. 12, after returning from Iraq, where he deployed last February.

"We are all very proud of Eric and owe him a debt of gratitude for his service to our country," said State Forester John Seifert. 

District 13 includes Carroll, Howard, Tipton, Hamilton, Boone, Montgomery, Fountain, Warren, Tippecanoe and Clinton counties.

A 2004 Purdue University graduate, he tried to stay sharp on his forestry skills during his deployment, but found the Middle East a hard place to do so

"There are very few trees in Iraq," he said. "Eucalyptus trees are common, but after that, there are only a few unidentified cedars and willows.

"I contacted a couple of my college professors who had no idea what the trees in question were actually called. Forestry is unheard of in Iraq."

Asked what most excited him about his return home, he said: "Seeing my family, of course." Eric and his wife have four children. The youngest, Troy, is 20 months old. "When I left, Troy was like 5 months old. I come back, and he's walking and talking. I missed a lot," Summerfield said.

Source:  Indiana Department of Natural Resources