Now we get to DO something!
Posted on 01/05/2005 7:55:52 PM PST by Old Sarge
(LOUISVILLE, January 5th, 2005, 4 p.m.) -- Wednesday was a sad day for the families of some local troops. A departure ceremony was held in Shelbyville for soldiers in the 231st Military Intelligence Company. The National Guard unit leaves Friday for training in Mississippi before heading to Iraq this summer. WAVE 3's Justin Wilfon reports.
Forty-seven soldiers. Forty-seven goodbyes.
"You hate to leave your family," said 231st soldier David Woellert. "That's going to be tough, but we know we have a mission to do."
It begins with this toughest of tasks: bidding farewell to his family.
Woellert leads the 231st. He's saying goodbye to his wife and 7-year-old daughter.
"We're all a team," said Woellert's wife, Cindy. "He's our supporter and we'll miss him, but we'll be there for him. And we're proud of him."
"I'll miss him," said his daughter, Allison. And I can't wait until he comes back."
It will be a long wait. The 231st is scheduled for 18 months of deployment.
Ashley Beshear is one of its youngest members. She's just 17. This time, she's staying behind, but her boyfriend is shipping out. "I'm actually kind of nervous right now," Beshear said. "I don't know what to expect. But I'm just waiting."
Theresa Johnson was saying goodbye to her 19-year-old son.
"He'll be 21 when he gets back," Johnson said. "That's a lot for me to miss. That's what hit me the most, I'll miss his 21st birthday, but he'll be all right."
Said her son, Lucas: "It's tough, but we've been expecting it. It's an on-going thing, the war on terrorism. We were just waiting for our turn."
All 47 families are hoping that their loved ones make it home safely.
The 231st will be training at Camp Shelby in Mississippi for five or six months, and should be in Iraq by July. Once there, they'll be providing intelligence to troops in combat.
Online Reporter: Justin Wilfon
Online Producer: Michael Dever
PING to everyone on this list!
Meet my kids. These are my brethren under arms. This is my company.
And I'm going to war with them.
All My Best Wishes go out to you and the 231st MI Sarge.
May the G-D of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob be with you!!
We support you!!
Thank You Sarge for your service to our nation.
Thank your family and the families those going with you.
HUGS
feather
God Bless you and your Brothers and Sisters in arms.
Not many know that you served in the 1st Gulf War as an officer.
SALUTE
Prayers for you and your company always. Thanks to you and them, and all who serve, for protecting the values and freedoms we hold dear. God bless!
Thank you for your service to our Country to keep us free and safe, Sarge. Bless you and your Company.
Heh, heh... Far cry from O-3 to E-6, I know...
The FOX guy interviewed me, but I guess my sound bites didn't air!
Thank You for your service to our country, SIR
May God protect you all and give you victory in your mission. Thank you for serving our country - again. I hope you'll be able to keep us updated throughout your deployment. {{{{hugs}}}}
May God send his protecting angels to watch over you and all our heros.
*gulp!*
HUGS!
The Daily Report will keep as current as it can be.
Prayers and Godspeed to you and your brethren under arms.
SALUTE
Our Thoughts and Prayers go with you Sarge . . . God be with the 231st MI Co. as they serve us and their Country . . . you make us proud!!!
Please post your replies to Old Sarge
Old Sarge, My prayers go up for all of you. May God bring you all home to your families.
Prayer warriors!! This is one of our own!! Being deployed. Please raise your voices in prayer for protection for him and the other Soldiers From 231st MI Company.
Blessings,
trussell
If you want on/off my prayer ping list, please let me know. All requests happily honored.
May God and his angels go with you and your brethen Old Sarge.
Thank you for your service. You guys will be in my prayers.
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