National Guard unit receives a proper goodbye

More than a hundred military personnel, family members and politicians gathered at Tanglewood Church of God on Saturday morning to formally send off the 239 soldiers assigned to Company E of the 230th Brigade Support Battalion of the Army National Guard.The unit is scheduled to be deployed to Iraq on Dec. 1 and is part of 4,000 soldiers who comprise the North Carolina National Guard's 30th Heavy Brigade Combat Team.

Kinston Mayor Buddy Ritch, Rep. William Wainwright, D-Craven, and Rep. Van Braxton, D-Lenoir, were among the guest speakers who addressed crowd.

"When I look out here, I'm looking at freedom," Ritch said as he gazed at the servicemen from the church podium. "Thank you."

Ritch also thanked the husbands, wives, mothers and fathers of the servicemen and women for their role, adding they would have Kinston's support.

Wainwright and Braxton echoed Ritch's sentiments regarding constant support, but also from a state level.

"We appreciate the sacrifice you make to maintain our freedom," Wainwright said. "The state is indeed proud of you for those sacrifices."

Braxton talked about the longevity of elections earlier this month being a symbol of what the soldiers were fighting for.

"Because of you, we can go to the ballot box and vote," he said.

Forty-seven members of the battalion have been deployed to Iraq before and 15 will have been there twice when they leave next month. The last time the unit was in Iraq was from October 2003 to January 2005.

Lt. Commander Jack Mellott reminded the group that even those with combat experience need to exercise caution because of the way Iraq has changed.

"In 2004, our objective was to capture terrorists," Mellott said. "Iraq now has a government, an army and a police force, so now our objective is to ensure the stability of the new democratic government.

"And to make sure we can get it done this time, leave and not come back."

While the message was uplifting to soldiers, it was a serious ceremony for the soldiers and their families.

The company entered the church sanctuary to a march played by an Army band, spurring the audience to clap in unison to the beat. Some soldiers smiled in return.

Once they were all seated, Toby Keith's "American Soldier" was played at the front of the church by a soldier, prompting many faces to turn serious.

By the time the National Anthem was played, though, all wore stern looks.

"I enjoyed all the people who spoke, especially the mayor and representatives," PFC Josh Parker, who is from Kinston, said. "It's something I can look forward to with what's coming up.

"They're really looking out for us as we get ready to go over (to Iraq)."

Support on local and statewide levels was something Parker said he was particularly moved by.

"I'm ready to see what's going to happen when we get over there because of them," Parker added, referring to Ritch, Braxton and Wainwright. "However far we go, they're still going to have our backs."

Parker's grandmother, Luberta Parker, said her grandson's deployment had a bittersweet effect on her.

"We don't want him to go, but we know he's got to do a job for his country," Luberta said. "We're very proud of him and we're looking for his safe return."

PFC Sheena Estiverne will see combat for the first time when the battalion is deployed on Dec. 1. Her husband, PFC Orandel Estiverne, will remain at the couple's home in Fayetteville to watch over their 5-year-old daughter.

"It hasn't really hit me," Sheena said. "It's probably not going to hit me until I get on the plane."

Orandel, who is on active duty, said the Army has been supportive of the added parental role he will must fulfill while his wife is deployed.

"So far, so good," Orandel said. "Can't complain."

Sgt. Israel Huerta and Spc. John Bates will also see combat for the first time two weeks from Monday. Neither are married or have children and both are full-time National Guardsman

"I'm happy to go - I'm happy to do it," Bates said. "We'll do the mission, come back and go home."

Justin Schoenberger can be reached at (252) 559-1075 or jschoenberger@freedomenc.com.