Farewell

By MARK NEWMAN Courier staff writer

June 11, 2007 12:07 am

— OTTUMWA — With the roar of a motorcycle escort, the buses carrying the 833rd Engineer Company were gone.
“What lies ahead is in large measure unknown to us and unknown to those who serve,” said military Chaplain Jim Luder during a Sunday send-off ceremony for the latest Iowa National Guard unit to ship off to Iraq.
“We just did this a couple years ago,” said another speaker, Brig. Gen. Mark Zirkelbach, the deputy adjutant general of the Iowa National Guard, talking about the time — over a year — this unit had already spent in Iraq. “Here we are a year-and-a-half later calling them back again.”
These soldiers, and their families, are real patriots, and especially prove that during tough times like this. Because there do exist citizens who are patriots only when it’s easy to be one, he said.
“I don’t see any ‘summertime soldiers’... in this formation. Everybody here understands what patriotism means,” he said. “Thank you for being the role models we are looking for.”
The number of people in attendance, said Lt. Col. Greg Hapgood — over a thousand to see off 120 troops — showed incredible support.
The main point of the ceremony, said Hapgood before the buses pulled out, is that soldiers see the support from friends and families, but also people they may have never met who show up to show their appreciation.
This was a day the soldiers could see, he said, “we care about you guys... not politics. Not whether we should be in Iraq. We’re here for you.”
Rep. Dave Loebsack echoed those sentiments after the ceremony.
“I’d rather we not be there, but we are there,” he told the Courier.
He said there is no contradiction in not wanting a war in Iraq but caring about our troops; these are the people being sent to fight that war.
“I’m here to support them,” he said as he went to talk to individual soldiers.
When he spoke at the podium, he pledged his support to the members of the 833rd and their families.
“Contact me if there are any services or resources my office can provide,” Loebsack said. “I look forward to welcoming you home.”
Another promise of support came when Iowa’s executive director of Veterans Affairs, Patrick Palmersheim, read a statement from Gov. Chet Culver.
Culver wrote his administration has made a priority out of helping military members and their families transition back into civilian life after a deployment.
In fact, most speakers spoke of the sacrifice being made both by soldiers and their families.
“Military families are tough, resilient, organized and they look out for one another,” said Zirkelbach.
But, Hapgood pointed out the community can especially help soldiers by remembering their families.
“One way to do that is contact the Family Readiness Group through the local armory,” he said.
Representatives often know which military dependents are in need of assistance. Hapgood said, especially when a couple has children at home and one spouse gets called away for a year, the one left behind can end up with a lot of extra work, from shoveling snow to getting the kids to school.
“[They] may not have time to do all that. But military families are proud. Pride won’t let them ask, but they may need help,” he said. “But most importantly, doing something for them lets them see the community cares, and hasn’t forgotten them.”
In addition to family members and friends left standing and waving by the road Sunday, some members of the 833rd were left behind due to administrative needs or health concerns from military doctors. At least one of them hopes to join his unit in the Middle East after getting medical clearance.
“It’s pretty hard to sit here and watch my guys leave,” said Spc. Aaron Bridgeman, who has already been to Iraq once. “We’ve trained and trained to get ready. I’ve been with this unit for six years. How are you supposed to send someone off without being with them?”
Family members of Pfc. Cody Graham accompanied him from Burlington. As he gave directions to Indian Hills via cell phone, his family told The Courier that they were very close, and rarely separated.
“I’m feeling extremely proud, [but] not happy about it,” said his aunt, Tonya Flowers. “We’ll be away from him so long.”
His mom, Kristi Payne, said she was feeling “mixed” emotions, including pride.
“I wish he could stay home,” she said.
Flowers said Cody’s grandmother was half-ready to board the bus and ship off to Iraq with the unit so she could look out for him. The only one who doesn’t seem worried, they said, is Cody himself.
“He’s very upbeat, kind of excited, ready to do his job,” said Payne, “which I don’t understand as a mother but I’m behind him 100 percent.”
Mark Newman can be reached at 683-5358 or by e-mail at mgnewman@mchsi.com.

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