Darci Marchese, wtop.com
WASHINGTON – As friends and family said goodbye to D.C. National Guardsmen Thursday, it was a reminder the war in Afghanistan is still underway and involves the men and women of the Washington D.C. region.
For some of the soldiers, it will be their first deployment. But for others, it’s becoming a trend. Out of the 82 soldiers deploying to Afghanistan, 22 have been to war at least once. For five, this is their third deployment since Sept 11, 2001.
Seventy nine of the men and women deploying are with the 273rd Military Police Company. Their goal is to conduct security force operations for a Special Operations Task Force.
Many of the soldiers WTOP spoke with don’t know exactly what they’ll be doing but say they’re ready for the job.
Just three men from the 121st Military Police Detachment are also deploying to Afghanistan. They are part of the Criminal Investigations Division.
There are three sets of cousins who are deploying together. WTOP spoke with cousins PFC Neil Noel and PFC Nikoy Noel. They say having each other will feel like they’re bringing a piece of home along with them.
Still Nikoy Noel is a bit apprehensive, since this is his first deployment. He says he’s anxious and it hasn’t hit him yet that he’s really leaving.
For family members, it’s a hard goodbye.
“Everything is kind of a spinning blur at the moment. You don’t want them to go but they have to go,” says Lorrie Monger.
She says her 15 year old son will follow in his dad’s footsteps. She says he’s a Junior ROTC and plans to be a Marine. She says she’s apprehensive but plans on taking it one step at a time.
Carolyn Wilson will be busy while her husband, Lt. Matt Wilson is deployed. She will be taking care of her 4-month-old baby, Kennedy.
She also plans to offer support to other spouses left behind. She explains that extra support is greatly needed since guardsmen don’t live on a military installation and are scattered in the community. She hopes to provide a bond that will help her cope too.
As hard as it is say goodbye, family members say they are proud of their loved ones.
“I can’t help be proud of him. How many people have the courage to do what he’s doing? Very few so you have to stand by them and support them,” Monger says.
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