National Guardsmen Say Good-Bye To Families
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
Caught up in the arms of their wives, children and parents, Company A of the 1st Battalion, 293rd Infantry, said farewell to family and friends again Friday at the armory north of Warsaw.
On a two-day leave from Camp Atterbury, near Columbus, where they have trained since Nov. 11, more than 60 "Night Devils" parted from their loved ones at noon to return to base.
The battalion, which includes the Warsaw unit, will report to its mobilization station, Fort Knox, Ky., in early December.
As husbands and wives whispered parting devotions to each other, as daddies held their infants a few more precious minutes, North Webster VFW Unit 253 members joined in the warriors' send-off.
A farewell ceremony Friday morning featured guest speaker State Rep. Dave Wolkins (R-Winona Lake) who said, in a short address, he knew it was a difficult day.
"Your lives, your families, your jobs are on hold," he said. "And it's especially difficult this time of year when you face an uncertain future."
He reminded the men they live in the greatest country in the world where the greatest freedoms are enjoyed.
"You're about to make an installment payment on those freedoms," he said.
He acknowledged there was some fear and a sense of urgency not knowing what their orders will be, and "we promise to keep you and your families in our prayers."
"Thank you in advance for your service. We ask that God be with you, that God bless you and God bless the USA."
The Rev. Robert Courtney, Community Bible Church, gave an invocation asking for the protection and safety of the men to return to their families and jobs.
First Sgt. Andres Martinez addressed the soldiers and the visitors, advising family members to be patient during the coming months of separation.
"The hardest part for the families to understand is you will be focusing on other things," he said from experience. "We may be in harm's way, that's a possibility."
The 1st Battallion, headquartered in Fort Wayne, includes 600 citizen-soldiers from Warsaw, Auburn, Peru and Logansport. Martinez said it may be among the first Guard units since the Korean War to enter a combat area.
The Guardsmen could participate in Operation Noble Eagle, a homeland defense program. Noble Eagle participants would fill the regular Army positions, defend bases or guard power plants, according to previously released statements.
They also might be assigned to Operation Enduring Freedom, which is associated with the fight against terrorism outside the continental United States.
The exact nature of the mission and destination for deployment is classified due to operational security.
Unit members have been placed on active duty for one year. Operational demands could require an extension of those orders for up to 24 months. [[In-content Ad]]
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Caught up in the arms of their wives, children and parents, Company A of the 1st Battalion, 293rd Infantry, said farewell to family and friends again Friday at the armory north of Warsaw.
On a two-day leave from Camp Atterbury, near Columbus, where they have trained since Nov. 11, more than 60 "Night Devils" parted from their loved ones at noon to return to base.
The battalion, which includes the Warsaw unit, will report to its mobilization station, Fort Knox, Ky., in early December.
As husbands and wives whispered parting devotions to each other, as daddies held their infants a few more precious minutes, North Webster VFW Unit 253 members joined in the warriors' send-off.
A farewell ceremony Friday morning featured guest speaker State Rep. Dave Wolkins (R-Winona Lake) who said, in a short address, he knew it was a difficult day.
"Your lives, your families, your jobs are on hold," he said. "And it's especially difficult this time of year when you face an uncertain future."
He reminded the men they live in the greatest country in the world where the greatest freedoms are enjoyed.
"You're about to make an installment payment on those freedoms," he said.
He acknowledged there was some fear and a sense of urgency not knowing what their orders will be, and "we promise to keep you and your families in our prayers."
"Thank you in advance for your service. We ask that God be with you, that God bless you and God bless the USA."
The Rev. Robert Courtney, Community Bible Church, gave an invocation asking for the protection and safety of the men to return to their families and jobs.
First Sgt. Andres Martinez addressed the soldiers and the visitors, advising family members to be patient during the coming months of separation.
"The hardest part for the families to understand is you will be focusing on other things," he said from experience. "We may be in harm's way, that's a possibility."
The 1st Battallion, headquartered in Fort Wayne, includes 600 citizen-soldiers from Warsaw, Auburn, Peru and Logansport. Martinez said it may be among the first Guard units since the Korean War to enter a combat area.
The Guardsmen could participate in Operation Noble Eagle, a homeland defense program. Noble Eagle participants would fill the regular Army positions, defend bases or guard power plants, according to previously released statements.
They also might be assigned to Operation Enduring Freedom, which is associated with the fight against terrorism outside the continental United States.
The exact nature of the mission and destination for deployment is classified due to operational security.
Unit members have been placed on active duty for one year. Operational demands could require an extension of those orders for up to 24 months. [[In-content Ad]]