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Blackanthem Military News
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Last Updated:
Nov 20, 2008 - 8:44:25 PM |
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Blackanthem Military News
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| Duffel bags and rucks sit outside the B Co., 3/103rd Armory on Grove Street Thursday before the Soldiers there leave on a year long deployment to Iraq with the 56th Strker Brigade Combat Team. |
WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. - Duty, honor, country, family. The words known so
well to local Soldiers of the 3/103rd Regiment echoed across the parade
field at the Grove Street armory Thursday afternoon as the community
gathered with friends and families to wish luck to the unit as they
deploy to Iraq on a year-long mission as part of the 56th Stryker
Brigade Combat Team of the 28th Infantry Division.
Duty, honor and country are the easy parts of deploying, say most
Soldiers. Leaving family behind, they agree, is much harder for them.
Leaving on his first deployment, Pfc. Joshua Herlt had to say goodbye
to his 3-day old son. "It was nice that I got to be there to watch the
birth though," he said, remarking how the baby came early.
The show of support and well-wishes from the community during the ceremony really helps the Soldiers, said Capt. Briton Orndorf, organizer of the event and rear detachment commander of the 3/103rd.
"It shows the Soldiers that we care and lets them realize that we're all here for them," he said.
As the ceremony ended, the men of the 3/103rd gathered with loved ones for a last precious hour before the buses carried them away from home.
"I'm ready to get it over with," said Pfc. John Smallman, noting the eight months of preparation leading up to the day. "We're definitely ready to go."
From here, Smallman and the rest of the keystone state warriors will travel to Fort Indiantown Gap, Pa., where they will organize and ship out to Camp Shelby, Miss. for a few months of final preparations before fulfilling their mission as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
"I just hope it goes by fast," said Amy Engler, Smallman's girlfriend.
For others, this isn't their first time around.
"The training and preparation gets easier," said Sgt. Bobby George, an 18-year veteran on his third deployment, "but leaving family is never easy."
Having that experience has made Sgt. George a resource to some of the younger members of the unit, however.
"Some of the younger guys ask what they're going to be in for and how to cope with family. The older guys help them out," said George.
The families at the armory waved goodbye as the buses drove away and began counting down the year until their heroes come back home from their mission.
"They are putting the welfare of the citizens at home above themselves," said 108th District Representative Merle Phillips, noting that the 3/103rd is part of the largest Pennsylvania Guard deployments in decades. "They are history in the making."
ADDITIONAL PHOTOS:
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| Pfc. John Smallman hugs his girlfriend Amy Engler Thursday afternoon before leaving on a year-long deployment to Iraq with the 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team. |
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| Sgt. Benjamin Ryder hugs his family before boarding a bus headed for Fort Indiantown Gap. From there, Ryder will be part of the 56th Stryker Brigade COmbat Team headed to Iraq on a year-long deployment. |
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