By By JOHN EBY / Niles Daily Star
DOWAGIAC – Anxiety.
Excitement.
Fear of the unknown.
The anxiety of saying goodbye to loved ones.
The excitement for soldiers "to get the show on the road. They've been waiting and waiting, and that's the hardest thing. They're excited to get this (deployment to Iraq) going so they can come home a year from now."
"There's probably a full range of emotions here this morning," observed Col. Phillip Owens of the 63rd Troop Command in Wyoming. "There may be some fear of the unknown. As a family member, how's the pay going to work? How are my health insurance benefits going to work? The soldiers are thinking, 'What's it going to be like at Fort Hood? What's it going to be like when I get overseas?' What's my job going to be like? What are my living conditions going to be like?"
"I'm confident that the same emotion we all have here today is one of pride," Owens said.
"We're all proud of this group of soldiers standing before us and for their willingness to serve. I'm proud of Charlie Troop as your brigade commander. In the first 20 years I was in the military, rarely would anybody come up and thank me for my service. In the past couple of years, multiple times. When you're in a restaurant, if you're in uniform, people buy us lunch, so you know your state and nation are proud of you. Lastly, as soldiers, I'm sure you're proud of the team you're part of."
Owens thanked families "for being here" and filling Union High School gymnasium to capacity.
The Dowagiac Guard last deployed to Iraq in January 2005.
"Soldiers are as much concerned for you as you are for them. When they're overseas they want to make sure everything's OK back home and that their families are taken care of. I want family members to understand that there is a support group back here for you. There are family assistance centers. There's one in Grand Rapids. Don't be bashful in asking for assistance or feel like you're left alone."
This deployment ceremony for Dowagiac Armory soldiers bound for Iraq – the largest mobilization of Michigan soldiers since World War II – was also a bigger prayer service than any church in Dowagiac this Sunday morning made foggy by the melting of a New Year's snowfall.
"We especially pray for their family members, Father, and ask, Lord, as this deployment begins, and the days fold into weeks and the weeks into months, that you encourage each and every one of the family members and keep them safe, as well. When little discouragements set in and challenges because of broken water heaters or broken-down cars or whatever may come up, Father, may they find strength in You and in those around who are here to help," the invocation said.
Owens spoke of the 126th Regiment's "rich history," spending more days in World War II combat than any other in the Army.
"I know you're going to succeed because of the quality of soldiers you are," Owens told the formation assembled on the basketball court. "We're a little bit older than the active duties" Owens said.
"In my opinion, that's a huge plus. Our soldiers have maturity and experience in their civilian jobs that they bring to the table and to the organization. Secondly, you've trained for the past few months and you're going to receive more training when we got to the mobilization site. Thirdly, you've got competent leadership in place that's going to help you succeed in your mission. Fourth, I saw at your Christmas ball the esprit de corps, teamwork and unity that you guys have. That's a wild card that makes you all the much stronger as a team."
Lt. Col. Clark Barrett, a graduate of Andrews University in Berrien Springs, said, "Slightly over a year ago when I took command of this unit, I told senior leaders of the squadron, 'You will go to The Show. It's just a matter of when.' At the time, I thought we'd be slated for deployment at the end of this year that would result in us mobilizing late in 2008 for an early 2009 deployment. In early 2007, I was warned that these dates might change. These dates changed many times between then and now, but I was wrong to be concerned.
"We have done something remarkable," continued Barrett, who in his civilian life is a defense contract engineer who lives in Rochester Hills.
"In the span of a year we converted this unit from armor battalion to cavalry squadron. This unit went from armor company to infantry troop. We turned in old equipment. We sent soldiers to transition schools. We sent NCOs (non-commissioned officers) and officers to their developmental schools. We fielded all kinds of new equipment. Most of all, we've performed an incredible amount of important and well-resourced combat training in a very short amount of time."
Barrett deployed to Egypt in 2004. This will be his first Iraq tour.
"Back in January 2007," Barrett continued, "we were still planning one two-weeker in June. Instead, since being alerted in April 2007, we've done no less than seven weeks of annual training. Some troopers have done much more than that. We saw our unit, which started late, outlast and outspeed the remainder of the brigade's battalions to become the best prepared for the collective training we look forward to at Fort Hood, Texas.
"The troopers of Charlie Troop stand before you having contributed 8,829 combined individual tasks to the squadron total of 37,211 completed tasks," Barrett said.
"This is hard, dirty work in June, in the heat of August and the cold of October. Three hundred and six of the 350 squadron troopers are combat lifesaver-qualified. One of those soldiers already put that training to use in saving a woman's life in a motor vehicle accident in December.
"Soldiers of Charlie Troop are special to me. They are infantrymen among cavalry. These soldiers are amazing in their professionalism, stamina and good spirits. Most of all, they are ready for the tough tasks ahead. I'm thankful for their hard work and dedication to duty. My thanks also go out to all of you, the soldiers' families, friends, employers and communities. You all contribute great things to the Guard family. Your contributions of time, money and service are always welcome, but they pale in comparison to the greatest gift you offer. Most important to me, you offer your heart and soul in the form of your loved ones, the community citizen-soldiers who stand before you, ready to do their duty for state and country."
Barrett offered special thanks to spouses, "who keep things going back on the homefront. You are the unsung heroes of the squadron.
"It's an honor for me to lead all these fine soldiers. Gen. George S. Patton once said, 'I'm an American soldier. I fight where I'm told and I win where I fight.' Everyone is prepared to fight and win when called. We are a cavalry team. From now on, we live, sleep, eat and fight as a cavalry team. We must accomplish the mission, save lives and come home together as a cavalry team. We'll do honor to Dowagiac. We'll do honor to those Michigan Guardsmen who preceded us. We'll do honor to the cavalry that has sought and fought the enemy before us. Thank you for sharing this important event with us, be safe in all your travels and Godspeed."