Delaware National
GuardSend-off ceremony held for 153rd's upcoming deployment
By Pfc. Eugena Roache, Det 1, 444th Mobile Public Affairs Det.
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Soldiers of the 153rd Military Police Company stand at parade rest during the sendoff ceremony, held on August 12. (Photo by Pfc. Eugena Roache.) |
On August 12th, the Delaware Army National Guard held a send-off ceremony at Fort Du Pont in Delaware City for the 153rd Military Police Company. The 153rd began a 270-day activation and deployment in support of Operation Desert Spring in Saudi Arabia.
Family, friends, and fellow soldiers and airmen of the Delaware National Guard came out as early as 7 a.m. to see the MPs off to their mobilization station at Fort Dix, NJ. The 153rd will be at Fort Dix for two weeks and arrive in Saudi Arabia by the end of August.
Also present to honor those deploying were Gov. Ruth Ann Minner, U. S. Sen. Joseph Biden, U. S. Sen. Thomas Carper, and U. S. Congressman Michael Castle.
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Soldiers of the 153rd Military Police Company march onto the parade field in Middletown. (Photo by Pfc. Eugena Roache.) |
One soldier said of the deployment, "It will be a good training opportunity for us, it shows support for the country, and it gives soldiers the experience and chance to see more facets of the military. It builds morale… We all have each other’s back."
The 153rd MP Company, which is only six years old,
was mobilized under a Presidential Select Reserve Callup, authorized by
President Bush. The company was notified in early May and officially went
on active duty August 9th.
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Families of the 153rd Military Police Company attended the send-off ceremony on August 12. (Photo by Pfc. Eugena Roache.) |
Lt. Col. Perry McGinnis, Commander of the 2nd Battalion, 72nd Troop Command, hosted the ceremony and wished his soldiers well.
The Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. Frank Vavala, addressed the 153rd Military Police Company reverently for the last time before sending his troops overseas. "We are all proud of your commitment and sense of duty… To freedom, to the country, and to the state," he assured them. He spoke to the soldiers of the validity of their mission and reaffirmed his great appreciation. He wished them well. "God’s speed 153rd. I salute you."
Gov. Minner thanked the soldiers for their efforts to ‘support our world’. In reference to their active-duty counterparts, she declared, "They need you. We need you. As a country, we must be prepared to deploy to anywhere on the globe. Part of that… is you."
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Soldiers of the 153rd Military Police Company stand at "Rest" during the send-off ceremony. (Photo by Pfc. Eugena Roache.) |
Gov. Minner spoke of the soldiers confidently. "Think of the young people looking up to you as the heroes of their future. You’re one of us and we are proud of you."
"God bless you. God keep you and your families. Thank You. Return safely," she said as she bid them farewell.
During the ceremony, she also signed two new bills into law that will affect former, current and future members of the Delaware National Guard. The bills were sponsored by Sen. Nancy Cook and Rep. Nancy Wagner. Sen. Cook was on hand to witness the signing.
The first, Senate Bill #272, ensures the state will make up the difference between military and civilian pay, if negative, for state employees who are mobilized and deployed in support of military contingency operations. The 153rd deployed 19 soldiers who are state employees.
The second, Senate Bill #439, allows state retirees to return to work temporarily to fill in for deployed soldiers; without their (retiree) pension or benefits being affected.
Sen. Biden also addressed the 153rd and openly acknowledged to the soldiers, "We couldn’t engage in the war on terror without you." He thanked the families for their ‘service’ also. "You’re being asked to do much more than the rest of your fellow Delawareans."
Sen. Carper lent recognition to the changing missions of the Army’s reserve components by confirming that, "We rely more than ever on the Guard and Reserves." He went on to quote Winston Churchill: To be a reservist is to be twice a citizen. He thanked the soldiers for their commitment ‘to freedom, to this country, and to this state.’
Congressman Castle referred to the soldiers as ‘ready and capable’. The soldiers were commended for being ‘highly trained and prepared to represent Delaware’. He encouraged the soldiers to enjoy their experiences.
"America will be extraordinarily well-served."
As the sendoff neared an end, Col Henry McCann, Commander, 72nd Troop Command, affirmed, "I am proud of each and every one of you. You will do your duty."
Soldiers were given an extra 10 minutes after the ceremony ended to say their final ‘goodbyes’ before loading the buses that would take them to their mobilization station.
Even with all of the support and camaraderie, the final minutes spent with loved ones were challenging.
Soldiers tried to pacify their families with long embraces and words of
strength, promise, and encouragement.
"She’s our hero," Maj. William Rhoades of Headquarters, State Area Command said of his daughter, Spec. Melissa Rhoades. "I’m crying for her."
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Capt. Winterbottom, 153rd Commander, hugs his son at the end of the send-off ceremony. (Photo by 1st Sgt. Butch Lee, 193rd Regional Training Institute.) |
Excited about the opportunity to serve, Spec. Allison Rogers posed candidly with his father and grandfather. His grandfather, Paul K. Satrape, is a WWII veteran who is proud to see Rogers serve.
With the degree of support displayed at this sendoff, deployed soldiers are able to serve proudly and unselfishly as they protect the freedom of those that they leave behind.