He's a she, she's at Ft. Riley. She's nuclear, biological and chemical. It's being announced on the local radio stations in Manhattan Kansas. We just came back from there. She didn't want to leave her car in the pathetic storage area, an open field in Kansas for a year. They're leaving between now and Feb 2. Heading to Kuwait, for about 6-8 weeks. Their equipment and a advance team has already left. That's all I know right now.
Don't take this as chauvinistic, but how tough is it to see your daughter head into a war zone?
Here's the story from Ft. Riley...
Deployment Ceremony to be held at Bramlage Coliseum
12/23/2004 10:37:51 AM
A deployment ceremony will be held Jan. 5 at 2 p.m. at Bramlage Coliseum in Manhattan for approximately 3,500 Soldiers. The Soldiers are with the 2nd Battalion, 34th Armor, 1st Brigade, 1st Infantry Division and the 3rd Brigade, 1st Armored Division.
This is 3rd Brigade's second deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The brigade completed a one-year deployment in March 2004.
This is the first rotation to Iraq for the 2nd Battalion, 34th Armor.
The ceremony will include a formation and remarks by post officials, including Maj. Gen. Dennis Hardy, commanding general, 24th Infantry Division (Mech) and Fort Riley, and Col. David Bishop, commander, 3rd Brigade, 1st Armored Division.
The Sergeant Major of the Army, Sgt. Maj. Kenneth Preston, plans to attend the ceremony.
The ceremony is open to the public. Doors will open at 12:30 p.m. No helium balloons, wrapped gifts, outside food or drinks will be allowed.
Those wishing to attend should allow adequate time to enter the coliseum. The Kansas State University Campus Police and the Riley County Police Department will search purses, bags and gifts.
In order to confirm media accommodations, all media wishing to attend the ceremony must R.S.V.P. to the Fort Riley Public Affairs Office by noon Jan. 4. The Public Affairs Office will make arrangements with Kansas State University for media.
Media will need to report to the southwest entrance of Bramlage, by the Ticket Window, by 12:30 p.m. on Jan. 5, to be credentialed and take part in the media briefing. Law enforcement officials will inspect media bags.
Keep your head up and your heart full. She'll be fine and she'll be AWESOME!
My daughter was in Iraq from spring 03 until spring 04. It was the hardest year of my life, but she came home with good friendships, more good memories than bad, and a new vision of herself. Try to keep in touch as much as possible, but she'll be busy...
All my best to you, and I'll be thinking about you and praying for you and her.
The Army's favorite specialty, not.