Sgt. Robert Cronin says goodbye to his wife, Danielle, at Libby Army Airfield prior to his deployment Sunday to Iraq with the 40th Signal Battalion. Mark Levy€Herald/Review
Posted on 10/03/2005 6:05:51 PM PDT by SandRat
FORT HUACHUCA - "That's what I signed up for," said Sgt. Charles Odom as he prepared to join the rest of the 40th Signal Battalion in a ceremony at Libby Army Airfield Sunday afternoon, prior to its deployment to Iraq.
About 130 members of the communications battalion are in the air today enroute to Kuwait, after stops in Indianapolis, Newfoundland, Ireland and Hungary.
This will be Odom's second tour in Iraq and, although he exchanged fire with insurgents during the year he spent around Fallujah previously, he was calm about going again.
"I heard it's more secure now," the 101/2-year veteran said.
Nearby, Spc. Drew Berns, 22, sat having a smoke with his friend, Rachel Jesperson of Sierra Vista.
Berns said he was OK about the deployment, but Jesperson admitted being nervous and concerned for his welfare.
Asked how long he expects to be deployed, the Columbus, Ohio, native said, "Until the mission gets done."
Seated with his wife, Anastasya, and 4-month-old daughter, Gwynavere, Spc. Logan Griffith confessed to being "pretty upset" about having to leave his family for the deployment. "I'm very upset," said Mrs. Griffith, with tears welling in her eyes.
As soldiers, families and friends milled about in Hangar 3, awaiting the send-off ceremony, Lt. Col. Andre Wiley, the battalion's commander, said goodbye to his wife, Janice, and three children - Andre II, 17; Azana, 11; and Aisha, 8.
This will be Wiley's second tour in Iraq, having served there during Operation Desert Storm.
Although the battalion's mission is to set up communications systems around the country, they're prepared for combat as they move from place to place - more prepared than the last deployment.
"There has been more emphasis on combat training," the 22-year veteran said. "They are soldiers first."
That preparation for combat has been the top priority for Maj. Gen. Barbara Fast since she took over command of the fort and the Army Intelligence Center in March.
Also waiting to board the chartered ATA jet sitting on the tarmack outside the hangar was Bill Hess, senior reporter for the Herald/Review.
An Air Force veteran who served in Vietnam, Hess has gone into war zones before - with the 11th Signal Battalion in Somalia and Afghanistan. He'll be embedded with the battalion for one month as it carries out its mission and will send back dispatches whenever possible.
"Communications is an important aspect of any war," Hess said.
Knowing what the weather will be like in Iraq, Hess stopped to pick up a cloth neck cooler sewn by the Sierra Vista group known as Sewing and Knitting for the Troops. The cloth strips contain a chemical that helps keep the wearer cool in hot weather. Twelve women got together to sew the coolers, while another 10 women women knitted helmet liners.
"We could use more volunteers," said June Kennedy.
Anyone interested in participating in the group can call Kennedy at 439-8172 or contact her by e-mail at jdawnk@cox.net.
Nearby, rows of paper sacks were lined up for the departing troops, prepared by the Family Readiness Group. Each bag contained stationary, pens, a water mister and snacks.
After hugs were exchanged, the troops were called to formation and stood for about 15 minutes in the hangar for a group of officers to show up for the ceremony. Family members and friends snapped photos of the formation, while little children played on the concrete floor.
The 36th Army Band provided selections of martial music before Chaplain (Capt.) Kevin Guthrie offered prayers for the departing troops and Col. Mary Beth Shively sent them off "to preserve our way of life."
"What you're doing is important," Col. Shively said.
HERALD/REVIEW reporter Michael Sullivan can be reached at 515-4682.
Local reporter joins mission
Senior reporter Bill Hess is headed to Iraq with members of the 11th Signal Brigade, part of the Herald/Review's ongoing coverage of the soldiers who are stationed on Fort Huachuca. Look for Hess' reports in the coming weeks in your Herald/Review.
Don't wish it away
Don't look at it like it's forever
Between you and me
I could honestly say
That things can only get better
And while I'm away
Dust out the demons inside
And it won't be long
Before you and me run
To the place in our hearts
Where we hide
And I guess that's why
They call it the blues
Time on my hands
Could be time spent with you
Laughing like children
Living like lovers
Rolling like thunder under the covers
And I guess that's why
They call it the blues
Just stare into space
Picture my face in your hands
Live for each second
Without hesitation
And never forget I'm your man
Without me girl
Cry in the night if it helps
But more than ever I simply love you
More than I love life itself
And I guess that's why
They call it the blues
Time on my hands
Could be time spent with you
Laughing like children
Living like lovers
Rolling like thunder under the covers
And I guess that's why
They call it the blues
Wait on me girl
Cry in the night if it helps
But more than ever I simply love you
More than I love life itself
And I guess that's why
They call it the blues
Time on my hands
Could be time spent with you
Laughing like children
Living like lovers
Rolling like thunder under the covers
And I guess that's why
They call it the blues
About 130 members of the communications battalion are in the air today enroute to Kuwait, after stops in Indianapolis, Newfoundland, Ireland and Hungary.
And why the fringe Left doesn't get that I just don't know.
God speed, Sarge!
Heroes all, including the families.
Ronald Reagan told this story in his first State of the Union speech. He was talking about a young man killed in WW1.: Under one such marker lies a young man—Martin Treptow—who left his job in a small-town barbershop in 1917 to go to France with the famed Rainbow Division. There, on the Western front, he was killed trying to carry a message between battalions under heavy artillery fire. We're told that on his body was found a diary. On the flyleaf under the heading, 'My Pledge,' he had written these words: 'America must win this war. Therefore, I will work, I will save, I will sacrifice, I will endure, I will fight cheerfully and do my utmost, as if the issue of the whole struggle depended on me alone.'
God bless you Martin Treptow and all our brave soldiers before and since.
Thanks for the ping!
BTTT
When I clicked the link I got a story about an art show. I guess they moved the original article elsewhere. I was going to comment about how cool Miracle Valley is. It's real cool. Take my word.
Words to live by. And they apply to all, not just those in uniform.
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