Posted on 05/17/2005 5:40:19 PM PDT by AZHua87
FORT HUACHUCA - Tears were shed.
Hug and kisses given.
Family members and friends said farewell to soldiers of the 69th Signal Company.
For some of the soldiers, it was to be their second or more deployment since the United States went to war with Iraq in 2003.
For others it was the first time they would be leaving their families, heading into harm's way.
Final good-byes said, the soldiers marched out to pick up their bags and lined up to board a commercial airliner for the trip that would take them from Arizona to Indiana to Canada to Ireland to one of the Balkan states and finally to Kuwait, where they would go through more training before heading to Iraq.
But the ATA Airbus developed an oil leak in one of its engines, delaying the 9 p.m. departure until later Monday night.
There was some joking about the plane before the mechanical problem came to light.
Emblazoned in large black letters near the entrance door to the aircraft was: "Pleasant holidays."
More than one GI remarked that Iraq was not their choice of a holiday spot. The airliner flies routes to more pleasant regions, like Hawaii.
Some family members had left the area before the airplane problem was spotted.
Others stayed, getting more time with their loved ones.
Before the official farewell ceremony in one of the hangars at Libby Army Airfield, the Diaz family spoke to one another, holding one another close, caressing and wiping away tears.
For Sgt. Efrain Diaz this deployment is his second to the Middle East. A "cable dog," or a soldier who puts down communication lines, his first deployment was to Kuwait.
This time he, and other company soldiers, will be in the thick of the area where daily insurgent attacks is the norm.
His wife Maxie said she has told him to keep safe.
"Yeah, yeah, I told him," she said, as tears wet her cheeks.
The emotion was too much. She could say nothing more.
He reached out, patting her, drying her cheeks with his hands as their daughters, Christian, 7, and Hayley, 3, looked on without comprehending the signifigance of what was unfolding before them.
The soldier-husband and father said the training the company received on Fort Huachuca in preparation for deployment was excellent.
Some of the training was how to convoy. Other was learning infantry maneuvers.
"It was good for the new privates. It help them realize how hard life will be over there," Diaz said.
One of those new privates, is Pfc. Shawn McCoy, is heading for his first deployment in a combat zone.
The guidon bearer for the 69th, which is part of the 11th Signal Brigade's 504th Signal Battalion, said it is hard for him to leave his wife and two daughters.
"But I knew I would have to deploy," McCoy said.
After comments by Maj. Gen. James Hylton, commander of the Network Enterprise Technology Command, McCoy went over to his wife, April, and their children, Aidan, 4, and Elyse, 21 months.
After hugging and kissing his wife for a long time, and then taking each of his daughters one at a time - in his arms and squeezing and kissing them - McCoy retrieved the guidon and went outside the hangar. He dared not look back.
A distraught April remained sitting.
Like many other spouses, tears flowed.
The McCoys arrived on the fort in December and her husband, a vehicle mechanic, found out he was going to deploy in January. "I just don't want him to die. I want him to come home safe," April said.
In his remarks, Hylton said, "This generation of soldiers have been called to special duty.
"What is making America's war against terrorism successful is an extraordinary Army, a group of extraordinary soldiers and extraordinary families," the general said.
To the 150 soldiers who were deploying, Hylton said they would provide the combat soldiers with vital communication support they need in Iraq.
"You will bring unique skills to the warfighters. You are going to have an immediate impact. You are the key to our ability to fight the war," Hylton said.
Soldiers from the 69th Signal Company prepare to depart Fort Huachuca for Iraq. Their flight was delayed, due to an oil lead in the plane's engine. For some of the soldiers, it was to be their second deployment, or more, since the United States went to war with Iraq in 2003. Ed Honda - Herald/Review
Ping
May God keep them safe and guide them as they accomplish their mission and then return home, Amen.
Where was the hanky alert, darn ya?
God bless these heroes and all the rest of them, too.
They had a hard thing to do - say good-bye on the tarmac.
Our families said our goodbyes months ago - but they've been visiting us at Mob Station, for the last five months.
After a little while, they won't get to.
STOP!!!! You boys aren't being ver nice to us weepy chicks! LOL!!
Harumph. And we weren't invited?? Sounds yummy!
Keep the light on in the window and the Blue Star Banner visible. Write them everyday, not just emails but real letters as they are more valuable than all the gold in the world.
The Mrs was growling that she WAS HUNGRY! Figured I better hurry and get it on the table.
Maybe someone you know...ever assigned to the 11th Signal Bde?
No, MG Hylton of course is well known. I have no doubt I have trained with soldiers in the 69TH. All roads in the Signal Corps start at FT Gordon. Wish I was with them.
Thanks for the ping.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.