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Ceremony salutes mobilized Texas National Guard brigade
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100th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment FORT WORTH, Tx. (8/18/2004) — Little Lauren Carrington stood on the chair next to her grandmother waving two small American flags as high as her small arms could reach. On a platform overlooking the crowd, Maj. Gen. Michael A. Taylor, 36th Infantry Division commander, read the mobilization order to the Soldiers of the 56th Brigade Combat Team in preparation for deployment. On Aug. 15 Texans gathered at the Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth and at 22 National Guard armories across the state to say their goodbyes to members of the 56th BCT. This is the largest single mobilization of a Texas National Guard unit called to a combat zone since the start of the war on terrorism. Hundreds of guests including brothers and sisters, fathers and mothers, attended the hour-long ceremony at the Navy air station hangar in honor of the Soldiers preparing to train and fight for freedom. The Soldiers are part of the 2,944 Texas troops reporting to Fort Hood to prepare for the war on terrorism. The 56th BCT, headquartered in Fort Worth, has been training and planning for mobilization for many months. They will complete additional pre-deployment training at Fort Hood, Texas, before departing for Iraq. “There’s seldom an easy way to do difficult things,” General Taylor told the Soldiers and other members of the audience. “Doing difficult things is what our military does, and that’s why it’s called ‘The Service.’ It takes special people, like you, to do what our Army does.” The event was filled with emotion. While many friends and family members were obviously concerned about their loved ones’ future, the obvious emotion was pride. General Taylor acknowledged the Soldiers’ pride in being part of something much bigger: “pride in nation, pride in unit and, most importantly, pride in yourself.” The 56th Brigade commander, Col. James K. “Red” Brown, told his company sergeants major and commanders, prior to the public ceremony, that they now have the opportunity to set the standard – and to set the standard high. “We have a long, rough road ahead,” Colonel Brown explained to them. “Our Soldiers will rise to our standard. It’s our job to train and prepare these Soldiers. If it’s not rehearsed, it’s not a mission; and if it’s not leader taught, it’s not a mission. Doing it the easy way will not accomplish the mission.” Family member James White said he intends to keep his sister, Spc. Verna Oates, an administrative specialist, covered in prayers and to write her frequently. He felt sure his sister wouldn’t forget to take anything, because she had served on active duty for nine years. His first care package will include her favorite candy, cinnamon-flavored “Hot Tamales.” Amanda Wyatt met her husband, 1st Sgt. Boyce Wyatt, A Company, 111th Engineer Battalion, while they were on active duty. She served nine years as an administrative specialist with the Noncommissioned Officers Academy at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. Sergeant Wyatt has served 10 years active duty and has eight years with the National Guard. This is his first Guard deployment. Mrs. Wyatt explained that Sergeant Wyatt recently caught up on “honey do” chores around their house such as repairs, putting up light fixtures and even purchasing a self-propelled lawn mower to make grass cutting easier for her. “He’s my best friend,” she said. “I’m proud of him, and I know he’s going to do well.” Across the room, “Pappa Joe” Combs wore a USA baseball cap to show his support of the Soldiers. His son, Maj. Craig Combs, a chaplain for the 56th BCT, volunteered for the mission to Iraq. Mr. Combs remarked that no parents are glad to see their son or daughter go to war. However, he understood when his son told him he was volunteering because he felt it was something God wanted him to do. “He volunteered to fill in when they were only taking captains and below for the job,” Mr. Combs said. “How could a father not be proud? I wish him well. “My son loves junk food,” the father added. “I’ll be sending him his favorite, Oreo cookies. I’d send Blue Bell ice cream if I could.” In closing the ceremony, General Taylor thanked the Family Readiness Group volunteers and encouraged all families to become involved with their own Family Readiness Group. “We clearly understand that those also serve who stand and wait,” General Taylor said. “Families are as much warriors in the war on terrorism as is anyone in uniform.” General Taylor also pledged that Lt. Gen. Wayne D. Marty, Adjutant General of Texas, and the chain of command would do everything they can to support the Soldiers and the family during the mission. Since the Global War on Terrorism began three years ago, more than 8,000 members of the Texas Army National Guard and Air National Guard have served on military missions. With the mobilization of the 56th BCT, the Texas National Guard has more than 4,900 Soldiers and Airmen serving on active duty. The deployment will be the first overseas assignment of a Texas National Guard divisional brigade since World War II. |
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