The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Honoring Our Local Heroes
Who Honor Our Country When Service Calls
by Jennifer Dance, Quill Staff
On Sunday afternoon, the Lawson Babbitt American Legion Post and Auxiliary #614 along with over 500 people gathered at Roseville High School's gym to pay tribute, to pray for and to encourage and thank the soldiers of the National Guard from the Henderson-Warren county area soon being deployed to Iraq in three locations for three different missions.
The S.O.S. (Support Our Soldiers) program began with the soldiers marching into the gymnasium and taking their seats in the "Panther's Den." The large crowd stood, including their family members and many area veterans, applauding emotionally.
A prayer was given by Carol Perrine, Chaplain of the Auxiliary, for the men and for all who are serving our country. The Veterans of our country were asked to stand and were recognized with a rousing applause from the crowd and especially loud applause from Guards of the Charlie Battery.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Kathy, Chelsea and Brandon Peterson and our nation's anthem was sung by the Ecumenical Singers under the direction of Leo Ramer of Monmouth.
Auxiliary President Marcia White of Roseville, in her warm opening address said she was familiar with sending a son to war for our country. "We are so very proud of you, so very proud of you," she said as the audience broke-out in long applause. "You made a committment and you are honoring it. Anything you request, within reason, we'll jump through hoops to honor it." she said. "Be safe and when your assignment is finished we'll see you right back here."
White and the Support Our Soldiers Committee began preparing for the program just 4 weeks ago. They felt strongly that the soldiers needed a proper send off. The S.O.S. committee consists of Don Earp, Jim Adkisson, Kenny Diers, Bill Gossett, Marcia White, Lorna Adkisson, Carole Earp and Donna Kirby.
Some of our area's politicians were invited and were there to encourage the soldiers. Congressman Lane Evans spoke giving his support to the guard as he thanked them for their service.
Senator John Sullivan shared a story of a soldier who had sent him a post card thanking him for his public service. "I don't know about you, but that tugs at my heart strings. He was thanking ME for MY public service? It floored me. He's the one serving and the reason our freedoms are enjoyed today," which brought another round of applause.
Senator Sullivan spoke about the sacrifices the men and women in the service make, his gratitude for them and how he can't wait to see each of them coming home safely.
Representative Rich Myers said it was difficult to find words to express ones feelings at times like this.
"We've all heard the saying that freedom isn't free because there is a cost associated with that. We pray that none of these have to give a life."
"They are special to us because they do protect the freedoms we have. We pray that God will give you strength and comfort and know that millions of Americans are praying for your safe return. Godspeed and come back well."
"State Representative Don Moffitt told the Guards men that they were sitting in the Panther's Den and he said the strengths of the panther were similiar strengths they would use- "tough, smart, brave." "It doesn't take a hero to order men into battle. It takes a hero to go into battle." The audience responded with more applause. "You are standing very tall for America. If you think this is a party, you ought to see this place when you come back!" Moffit said while thanking them, and again, the crowd erupted into applause.
The Commander of the Charlie Battery, Corey Wise, talked about the importance and the validity of the National Guard and shared his feelings of being sent at this particular time. "We are going at a volatile time in this world. We will be there during two elections; one here in November and Iraq's elections are expected to be on January 28, 2005," Commander Wise said.
Wise, a father of two, told parents that he realized how they feel about their sons. "You have my word I'll take care of each as if my own."
He said that we have the tendancy to focus on the negatives in situations and he wanted to talk about the positives. In regards to the Charlie battery being split up in three locations, he said there were the pluses of learning different leadership styles, new closer friends, email communication.
He said the negative comments he sometimes hears about "you're just in the National Guard", rubbed him the wrong way. "We use the same army standards, the same army manual."
"You say there are no positive role models. Here are 50 soldiers that are role models." They aren't doing it for millions of dollars, but they live by a code of ethics: Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless-Service, Honor, Integrity, and Personal Courage," and, he said, "they all volunteered."
There was more applause to come as each of the soldiers was introduced. The crowd cheered loudly as the soldiers marched across the gym floor. And as the last soldier, Commander Corey Wise, was announced, the crowd was again on their feet.
Reverend Jim Oliver gave the closing prayer and the Ecumenical Singers ended the program by singing The Irish Blessing.
At the end, a woman grabbed one of the soldiers by the arm and with tears in her eyes, simply said, "thank you." The soldier dutifully replied, "you're welcome."
Soldiers now will soon make ready for their year deployment which could be 18 months they have been told.
The honor that our service men and women have is a true gift to each American, a gift that most will never know the awesome magnitude of. Pray their safe return will be soon.
A United States flag from the state's Capitol is presented by State Repr. Don Moffit, Repr. Rich Myers, Sen. John Sullivan and U.S. Congressman Evans, to Cpt. Corey Wise on behalf of the U.S. Army's Charlie Battery.