Soldiers will carry the community’s support

By Drew Houff
The Winchester Star

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WINCHESTER — At least 1,000 family members, friends, and others turned out to see them go.

With such support, the troops from the Virginia Army National Guard’s Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3rd Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment, 29th Division left Shentel Stadium on Tuesday night with their heads held high.

Such a morale boost should help in the coming year, which will include about three months of training in Mississippi and then another nine or more months in Iraq.

Sgt. Michael Tomlinson of Lynchburg talks with his 4-year-old son, Tyler, before leaving Winchester on Tuesday evening with his fellow National Guard members. (Photo by Jeff Taylor)

That was the sentiment of many people who attended Tuesday’s departure ceremony.

“It’s real important — it means a lot to them,” said Maj. Mark Nelson, the unit’s former company commander. “It means everybody has thought of them.

“It keeps morale boosted for the long road ahead. Every little bit carries them through, as long as the community stays involved. I know how important it was when were were in Afghanistan.”

Community support plays a large role, helping the soldiers and families to cope with the challenges ahead — and some of those challenges are not pleasant.

During Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, two members of the company — Staff Sgt. Craig Cherry, 39, of Winchester, and Sgt. Bobby Beasley, 36, of Inwood, W.Va. — were killed in August 2004 when an improvised explosive device struck their armored Humvee.

Tuesday’s ceremony was designed to show support for the troops.

Purcel Jenkins, a veteran of the Vietnam War who lives in Winchester, said it was crucial to do right by the soldiers. “The Vietnam veteran didn’t get that. It’s very important [to be at the ceremony].”

Heath Phillips, a first lieutenant with the unit who lives in Rockingham County, said the ceremony meant a lot.

“This is great,” he said. “They filled up the parking lots and are now in the overflow. This is a pretty good crowd to wish the guys well.”

The new deployment is the second for 1st Lt. Thomas Claytor of Chesterfield County, and he said it was great to know that the citizens were behind them.

“The community has been good all week, saying ‘Thank you’ for what we will be doing,” he said.

Brittany Green, cousin of Guardsman P.J. Wenner, said: “[Attending] was very important to me because I don’t get to see my cousin much.”

Sgt. Thomas Barr of Winchester kisses his 2-month-old son, Cameron, before leaving for three months of training in Mississippi and another nine or more months of duty in Iraq. (Photo by Jeff Taylor)

Tuesday also marked the start of work for others who will remain in their homes, such as Judith Barker, the chairwoman of the Family Readiness Group serving the soldiers and families of the Guard unit.

“We’re a support group made up of volunteers,” she said. “We hold fundraisers because we don’t get money from the government, so we operate entirely from donations and gifts. We are a resource for families, able to tell them where to go for help when they need it.”

Barker, who has been serving in that capacity, said she understands the need to obtain assistance. After all, her husband is Capt. Douglas B. Barker, the company commander.

“They can come to me, and I can send them information to the appropriate resources for the help [they] need,” she said.

One of her roles will be informing families about any possible leave at the end of the Guardsmen’s time at Camp Shelby, Miss., before they are sent to Iraq.

She said Tuesday’s ceremony was a proper way for the soldiers and their families to say goodbye.

“It’s nice to give them the sendoff they deserve,” Barker said. “This also helps people talk to other family members, and they can support each other.

“The National Guard is so spread out that it makes it a lot more difficult [to get together], but I still want to have pool parties for the families. I hope to have a meeting to help the families cope.”

Barker said she also will provide advice, reminding the families to write letters and send packages to the soldiers.

Barker said Shentel Stadium offered the perfect setting for the sendoff:

“I hope we’re having this time next year a welcome-home ceremony. This is a nice venue. Shenandoah University is so nice to let us have it.”