The soldiers of Company A, 230th Engineer Battalion,
left Thursday last week with one certainty: they are
loved and appreciated by their community.
The streets of McKenzie, on the overcast November 18
morning, teemed with citizens eager to show their
support for the soldiers of Company A - some 78 men
from the McKenzie National Guard unit and 54 from the
Milan unit, along with volunteers from other West
Tennessee outfits - who departed at 7:30 a.m. for Fort
Sill, Oklahoma, from which they are expected to leave
for Iraq in early January.
Their departure was marked by an outpouring of
encouragement, beginning with neighboring Republic
Builders, Inc. where employees dressed in red, white
and blue lined the exit from the armory behind huge
signs of support designed by each department. The
workers released hundreds of balloons, some carrying
American flags tied to their ribbons, as three charter
buses full of soldiers made their way through town in
a mutual farewell between the troops and their
neighbors, friends, and co-workers.
Camden soldier Sgt. George
Dillingham with wife Tammie (left) and mom,
Georgia. "We're going to miss him," said Tammie
solemnly. |
Along mile-long College Drive, where flags waved on
every utility pole - a situation local VFW and
American Legion members vow to maintain until the
solders return - at the juncture of Liberty Lane,
nearly 100 former members of the McKenzie National
Guard and other veterans gathered to root for their
comrades in arms, each one in attendance wearing a
yellow ribbon to distinguish themselves from the
multitude.
College Drive and Liberty Lane were built by members
of the National Guard unit in a project that provided
training for the same type of work the unit may be
accomplishing in Iraq.
Liberty Lane was named in honor of the soldiers in
unknown tribute to the part they would play in phase
II of Operation Iraqi Freedom, in which they are
expected to assist in efforts to rebuild the nation
where human rights were destroyed by the cruel designs
of Saddam Hussein long before coalition artillery
found their targets.
Bethel students and faculty were scattered, waving and
cheering, in pockets along campus grounds lining
College Drive. Many students, still in pajamas and
house shoes, spoke of their admiration and support for
the soldiers and their families.
"I wanted to come out here and give them a big smile
that maybe they can remember while they're gone," said
student Amanda Lucious.
Mayor Walter Winchester and other city employees waved
American flags from the front of City Hall, where
trees were decked with yellow ribbons and American
flags dotted the landscape.
Keith Newsome cries as he
clutches his nine-week-old daughter Brianna to
his chest. |
Children cheered their hometown military heroes from
all three McKenzie schools with children at the middle
and elementary schools displaying hand-lettered signs
while at the high school there were more signs and the
McKenzie Rebel band played earnestly for the troops,
some of whom last year walked its hallowed halls.
Every tree on the drive leading into the school was
adorned with yellow ribbons, while the front columns
of the facility were festooned in red, white and blue
swags.
On Highland Drive, New Generation's employees covered
the business yard holding signs and banners wishing
the troops safety and promising prayers; E.W. James
employees showed their support with a banner and the
release of star-shaped, stars and stripes balloons as
the troops passed by; Charter Communications pulled
their work trucks near the road and left their caution
lights flashing in tribute to the soldiers.
All along the way, citizens from many walks of life
turned out in droves with businesses and industries
giving employees time out to honor their fellows.
Tears of love and compassion flowed freely, mingled
with smiles and cheers as the flag-waving,
sign-bearing citizens demonstrated their support of
the soldiers.
Earlier, families gathered at the armory at 6 a.m. to
bid their sons, husbands, and fathers goodbye.
Darkness drove most of the assembly inside the drill
hall where sleepy children were accompanied by their
bravely smiling parents. But there was a tension in
the air in the knowledge that time was fleeting, a
sentiment voiced by Spec. Eric O'Neal, who, holding
his wife and children close in a corner removed from
the milling assembly, said, "An hour's not long to say
goodbye."
As daylight ensued, children discovered the presence
of Diamond Jaxx mascot, Ribbee, who lightened the mood
for youngsters and adults alike.
Veterans champion, state Representative Mark Maddox,
was on hand to lend his support to the troops for whom
he had a simple message, "Soldier, I'm proud of you."
Also in attendance was a plentiful team of area
pastors who mingled with the families and later held
formal prayer just before the soldiers boarded the
buses.
Long stem roses were distributed among the soldiers,
who passed them on to flag-bearing loved ones, making
red roses and American flags the symbol of the day.
Despite the brevity of time, many families were
willing to share their stories.
Spec. Daryl Veliz, a member of the Camden unit from
Big Sandy, said he and wife Stephanie had married just
two weeks earlier, though they'd been together for
four years.
"She deserves me as a husband," he said
matter-of-factly, then, realizing how that sounded,
grinned, "What could be better?"
Sgt. Anthony (Dwayne) McMinn of Milan, accompanied by
wife Valerie and children Emily, 12; Rachel, 10; and
Tony, 8, had been in the regular Army for three years,
including a year in Korea and a stretch at Fort Sill,
plus 13 years in the Guard.
"So I've got the gist of it," he said. Valerie was
also relatively nonplussed: "They've got a good
commander in chief," she said. "I trust him with our
country's security. I know he prays for God's
guidance. I'm proud of the fact that my husband is
willing to put his life on the line in defense of our
country. There is no greater love than this."
A brief, 6:30 a.m. formation as the first pink tinges
of sunrise showed in the gray, mottled skies over the
armory, seemed to increase the tension as families
became more aware of the passage of time.
During the assembly, new battalion commander, Col.
Joseph Lane, addressed the men, stating they were the
best educated and most trained soldiers in Tennessee
National Guard history with a great support system,
not only within their families but within their
communities as well.
"You guys be safe, we're looking forward to the news
to get you back here as soon as possible," he said.
Afterwards, Sgt. Josh Pardue, the 22-year-old son of
Jimmy and Cathy Pardue, balanced his 19-month-old
nephew, Hunter Burlison (son of sister Julie) on his
shoulders.
"I'm OK so far, but he ain't gone yet," said his mom,
as Jimmy looked on with sad, serious eyes.
Keith Newsome, the 25-year-old father of nine-week-old
Brianna, walked through the armory in tears, clutching
his daughter to his chest with his tearful wife,
April, nearby as well as his mother, Diana Anderson,
and nephew, Ramon Hernandez.
Staff Sgt. Douglas Pate stood quietly with parents
Sandra and Byron Pate.
"We just hope they'll be home and safe," said Sandra
solemnly.
"The quicker we leave the quicker we'll get back," her
son reasoned, while his dad said, with pained
expression, "Like she said, bring them home safe,
bring them home safe."
But Vietnam veteran, Staff Sgt. Sam Luter was
ecstatic. "It's better this time," he declared. "I'm
really amazed by the support, this is unbelieveable,
really it is. I've had so many people come by and
talk... Before (relative to his Vietnam era
experience) it was like nothing. This is altogether
different; it really makes you feel good to know
somebody cares."
Even so, the reality remained that the time was
nearing for the troops to leave.
Sgt. Kenny Mann of McKenzie stood near the edge of the
parking lot with his wife, Sarah, who would soon be
left to fend for their four children: Blake, 9;
Ashton, 7; Ray, 5; and one-year-old Elizabeth.
Staff Sgt. Mike Ilko held his wife Beret, stroking her
belly as if to comfort their child who would be born
in December.
"It needs to be done," said Ilko regarding the mission
that would take him from his young family.
"I'm a specialist here, too," said Beret, "So I
understand." But with his family in Indiana and hers
in Minnesota, she has no family support nearby.
Suddenly, a big soldier rushes by carrying his pretty
dark haired daughter as three buses pull into view
alongside the armory. "She's seeing that bus, I know
she's falling apart," he said urgently as he ran. In
seconds the trio - Sgt. Phillip Hicks, his wife
Patricia and daughter Patricia Ann - stand grasping
each other in tearful recognition that the time was
near for him to go.
Another formation, this time solidified with prayer,
and the men begin to board.
"I don't want him to go!" five-year-old Zack Jarrett
cried loudly, unmindful of the restraint that keeps
others crying more silent tears.
And, soon, the buses rumbled through their stations in
McKenzie, greeted by a proud populace, moved on to
Milan where more support was rendered by grateful
citizens, and then to Memphis for their flight to Fort
Sill.
Little Zack's dad, Sgt 1st Class David Jarrett, is one
of four platoon leaders for Company A. His wife,
Michele, later reported David asked her to be sure the
community knew how grateful the men were for the show
of support.
"They were just blown away," said Michele.
Other platoon leaders are Staff Sgt. Garry Thedford,
Sgt. 1st Class Rory Johnson, and Sgt. 1st Class Marty
Ables.
It is such men, says former National Guard soldier
Randy McCadams, that make the McKenzie unit great.
McCadams retired from the Trenton guard unit last
year, where he was first sergeant, after 33 years of
service, 22 of which was spent at McKenzie.
"They called me to come back as family assistant
coordinator," he smiles, obviously ready for the
challenge of serving the soldiers families. "This is
where I cut my teeth and it's home."
He explains his civil service position was created
because military officials realized that, when
soldiers are deployed, their families were sometimes
"left in the lurch" without the resources necessary to
support family needs.
"A lot of women have never taken care of business by
themselves," he says, expounding on his commitment to
curtail problems as they arise and to maintain verbal
contact with families on a quarterly basis.
He said he expects the first three months to be most
traumatic as families "come to grips" with the absence
of their loved ones.
"It'll be about three months before the dust settles,"
he says.
One of McCadams most significant functions, however,
may be the reassurance he gives families in his
knowledge of the team in which their loved one is a
member.
Having performed for two years as an officer while in
service at McKenzie, McCadams resigned his commission
in order to accept a position in the Huntingdon unit
in 1993. He has also worked in Trenton as first
sergeant and, for six months, in Union City as interim
first sergeant. As such, he has a well-rounded view of
the dynamics of various organizations.
"McKenzie was always a unique unit in the tightness of
the men, the camaraderie; they were always a
close-hitched unit," he says. "That is precipitated
from the leadership, principally the first sergeant;
he's the stability of the unit. Officers play an
important, vital role but NCOs are the mast of the
ship that gives stability and this unit was always
blessed with good leaders... it's always had a shining
NCO core that's still going, men who have been here
forever and who take care of its soldiers. All in all
it's a real strong unit."
Sgt. Stephanie Walker and her
husband, 1st Sgt. Johnny Walker, embrace as he
prepares to board the coach to Fort Sill,
Oklahoma.
|
First Sergeant of the McKenzie unit is Johnny
Walker, who boarded the bus to take on the challenge
of Iraq alongside his men.
As for the family support crew, if McCadams is the
strong right arm of the readiness effort, Sandi
Roditis is its engine, as president of the family
readiness group.
"Randy is a paid employee to help us," says Sandi, who
adds she never dreamed the military would provide a
resource like McCadams so close at hand. "It is the
biggest compliment the Army has paid to us and our
families for them to hire someone to be fulltime for
family support."
Like Randy, she characterizes his job as helping with
issues like military pay and health insurance.
"He'll be there every day where I have a job, I'm a
volunteer," she says. "He is the technical side and
I'm the emotional part, although he is doing that
also."
The family readiness group meets next on Sunday,
December 5 at 3 p.m. at the McKenzie National Guard
armory. Everyone is invited, including the family
members of every soldier participating in the effort
as well as the community at large.
"It's open to the public," says Sandi, hoping citizens
and organizations may choose to come and hear ways
they can help.
"We have lots of ideas," she says, expressing sincere
appreciation for the Church of Christ whose members
plan to babysit for two Saturdays while mothers go
Christmas shopping.
"They just came and said, 'What do you need? We want
to do something,'" Sandi reports.
The group will be selling patriotic ribbons for $10,
similar to the Relay for Life ribbons by which
businesses demonstrate their support for that effort,
as well as magnetic car ribbons personalized with
"Company A, 230th Engineer Brigade." The magnets have
been ordered and are expected to arrive in about four
weeks. Their cost will be $5.00.
Proceeds from the sales will be used primarily to
assist in the sending of care packages for the troops.
"We would like to thank everybody," says Sandi, citing
the huge turnout as citizens bid the troops farewell.
"It was just great."
Sandi's husband, Staff Sgt. Spiros Roditis, was among
nine soldiers who traveled to Fort Sill in advance of
the main body.
The trip to the Fort Sill is ten road-hours long and
it is uncertain whether soldiers will be given days
off from training to come home for Christmas or
whether family members will be able to charter a trip
to see their loved ones once more before they leave
for Iraq, where they are expected to remain for at
least a year.
The company composed of construction equipment
operators, crane operators, and combat engineers is
expected to augment an Army National Guard battalion
from Kansas in the nation building effort, however,
that mission is subject to change, says Col. Lane.
For now, the soldiers may be contacted at: A, 230th EN
891st EN BN; Soldier's Name; 6322 NW Currie Road; Ft.
Sill, OK 73503.
