Today, Tennessee’s largest National Guard Unit, the 278th, headed for Mississippi for additional training before deploying to Iraq for the second time. There were send-off ceremonies in several locations across the state – Knoxville, Maryville, Jamestown, Covington, Springfield, Ashland City, Cookeville. Since we’re so close to Ashland City, we went to the one at the Cheatham County Courthouse to support our local warriors and their families.
Part of our local Guard unit, ready to deploy to Iraq
Last time this unit deployed, one of our local men, SGT Gary Lee Reese, was killed when the Humvee he was in was destroyed by an IED. Another local, SGT Kevin Downs, was severely injured in the same incident. He lost both legs, one of his arms below the elbow, and was severely burned over a large part of his body. That was in August of 2005, and he’s come a long way since then. He’s got a motorized wheelchair, but is learning to get around on prosthetic legs now. Kevin was at the send-off ceremony this morning, sitting in his wheelchair amongst his fellow Soldiers. It was touching to see him there; one has to wonder what goes through his mind as he tells his battles goodbye and Godspeed…
SGT Kevin Downs, injured in Iraq August 2005, came to wish his fellow Guardsmen well
I handed out as many Guardian Angel cards as I could to individual Soldiers, then I gave the remainder to the Company Commander and asked him to please make sure each of his troops got one. He assured me he would do so. We watched as the Soldiers boarded the buses that were waiting to take them to their destination, and after they rolled out with a full police escort we headed back to the car and after a short side trip to Wal-Mart, returned home. I am still thinking about how difficult it is for the families of our deploying troops to watch their loved ones get on a bus and leave them standing there with tears in their eyes, hoping and praying that they all come home safe and sound at the end of their year of duty in Iraq… God bless them all!!
December 6th, 2009 - 3:11 pm
I agree with the commander that the ones watching their loved ones leave have a duty just as – if not more – difficult than those going. God bless and keep them safe until they return to their families.
December 6th, 2009 - 9:35 pm
So do I. The spouses left at home have to carry the entire load that they normally share; children don’t necessarily understand why Dad (or Mom) has to go and why they can’t just come home whenever they want; there is a lot of stress and worry, knowing their loved one is going into a war zone halfway around the world. It was hard seeing the families huddled together with their Soldiers, with tears flowing freely, knowing that in a few short minutes they were going to be getting on a bus and heading out into uncertainty. God bless them all; I’ll be praying for their safety daily.
December 6th, 2009 - 9:46 pm
Tracy,
That is awesome! Thank you for all you do!
Our troops need all the prayers and support they can get!
I will keep them and you in my prayers!
December 6th, 2009 - 10:17 pm
It is a tough thing to do, even for us old troops that wish we could be taking there place. We shed tears when they leave and when they come Home. Anyone that reads this, if you are not a member of the PGR, please look into it. We are a group of individuals that cry together for all our Troops. Coming Home or Leaving. Tracy can help you in your area. Let us Stand tall for the Soldiers that stand tall for us.
PGR Ride Capt Great Falls Mt. MT JOE
December 7th, 2009 - 6:37 am
Another good job of Support and of reporting. My prayers will be coupled with all others.
A Supporter and a Veteran
PGR Member (Cager)
December 7th, 2009 - 7:27 am
Thank you for your kind words, Bruce. And thank you for your service to our country. You know our Vietnam Veterans have a special place in my heart! Hugs to you {{{{Bergy}}}}
December 7th, 2009 - 7:35 am
Yes, it is a tough thing to do. This unit will get to come home for a few days at Christmas, before they actually deploy to Iraq – which is wonderful, but which means they’ll have to go through the whole “saying goodbye” routine again. I have it on good authority that the second “goodbye” is harder on all concerned…God bless the families of our Warriors. Thank you for your service to our country; like I told Bergy, our Vietnam Veterans have a special place in my heart. LTU {{{{My Joe}}}}
December 7th, 2009 - 7:38 am
We are “cagers,” too, Steve. It’s not about the bikes, it’s about standing for our Troops! Thank you for your service to our country, and for your wonderful support of our Warriors! Hugs to you {{{{Maddog}}}}