Team Infidel
Forum Spin Doctor
Philadelphia Inquirer
June 15, 2008
Pg. 1
By Edward Colimore, Inquirer Staff Writer
They held small American flags and homemade signs that read "Come home soon," and "My Pop-pop's an American soldier." Many waved and cheered loved ones marching by in neat ranks. Others wept over their imminent departure.
For the last six months, the families of nearly 3,000 Iraq-bound members of the 50th Infantry Brigade Combat Team had been preparing for this historic day - the largest deployment of the New Jersey National Guard since World War II. Army parachutists dropped in, F-16 jets whooshed by, and Gov. Corzine spoke of sacrifice and courage.
But for those directly affected, yesterday's "Farewell Salute" at Fort Dix was not so much a public ceremony as it was a family gathering for hugs, tears, photos and memories. It was the beginning of goodbyes lasting until Thursday, when the first members of the unit will head to Fort Bliss, Texas, for intense training, then to Kuwait and Iraq by late summer.
Sitting in the grandstand under a blazing sun, Andrea Garrity clearly saw her husband, Pfc. Harry Garrity, 22, of Deptford. He stood at the head of the troops, proudly holding the green swallowtail guidon of the 328th Military Police Combat Support Unit.
"We just got married on Monday," said Andrea Garrity, also 22. "We're going to Wildwood this weekend. Then he's going [to be deployed]. He'll be with a great bunch of guys. But I'm still in denial."
His absence "for a whole year is worrying - with all that's going on over there," said the soldier's mother, Deborah Stecher, 47, of Gibbstown. "I beg for God to shield and protect him."
Across the Doughboy Field parade ground, Garrity spotted his wife and mother in the grandstand. "They don't like me going, but I have to serve my country," he said. "I'm focused on getting the mission done and coming back safely. This is a good group of people. They're my family now."
Their task over the nine months in Iraq will be guarding detention facilities for insurgents and providing convoy security.
The soldiers range in age from 18 to 58 and come from every county of New Jersey: 217 are from Burlington County, 208 from Camden County, and 164 from Gloucester County.
More than 25 percent of the unit's members have already been to Iraq, Afghanistan, Guantanamo Bay or the Sinai Peninsula as part of the war on terrorism. Some volunteered from other units to "finish the job" and share their experience with first-timers. Others are going simply because they have been called to duty.
"We are blessed by your service and sacrifice," Corzine told the assembled brigade while about 8,000 relatives looked on. "But New Jerseyans also understand that the sacrifice is not yours alone. It's your loved ones' . . . those who support you here at home. There is not a New Jerseyan anywhere who does not pray for you."
Corzine - joined by other officials - pledged that the state would take care of Guard members' loved ones during the deployment. "While you are away, we must make sure to provide for your families' support," he said.
About 250 members of the 50th Brigade are women, and some of them are members - for the first time in the history of the New Jersey Guard - of infantry battalions, serving in logistics and administrative positions.
"Each and every soldier on this parade ground is an American hero - not because of this deployment, but you raised your right hand in an all-volunteer army to make a difference and protect our way of life," said Maj. Gen. Glenn Rieth, the state's adjutant general. "You answered the nation's call to duty when it matters most. . . . You are part of a powerful hometown team from all 21 counties of New Jersey."
Rieth said the brigade - nicknamed the "Jersey Blues" - has 13 married couples, 15 brothers, a pair of sisters, eight pairs of brothers and sisters, two pairs of mothers and sons, and five pairs of fathers and sons.
Among the father-son teams is Sgt. Christopher Howe, 43, and Pvt. Christopher Howe Jr., 22, both of Lumberton.
"I'm confident we can do what we have been assigned to do," Sgt. Howe said. "I'd be lying if I said I'm not somewhat concerned because of my son being there. His role in Iraq will be to provide prison security. I will be out escorting convoys. We have work to do over there; I fully support the mission."
The younger Howe said his girlfriend had been nervous about his deployment. "But I can't wait to begin," he said. "I'm getting mentally focused."
Sgt. Eugenio Santiago, 47, of Buena, said he, too, was excited about serving in Iraq. He was there in 2003 and 2004. "I'm pumped," he said. "I want to serve my country."
His son, Spec. Eugenio Santiago III, 22, of Franklinville, will join him. "I went in for the college" funds offered by the military, said the younger Santiago. "I've been on active duty since I joined. I'm ready for this."
The unit has learned how to fire the latest weapons, use urban troop-movement techniques, operate humvees through obstacle courses, and provide first aid on the battlefield. But the training will become even tougher at Fort Bliss.
"I'm a little excited and nervous," said Spec. Deirdre Starrett, 43, of Bridgeton, a single parent who brought two daughters with her to the ceremony. "They will stay with family friends. I have mixed feelings about this. I'm not prepared, but I will be. The most intense training is coming up."
Some members of the unit, such as Pfc. Zeshan Haroon, were born in other countries but dreamed of being American soldiers. "It's a good foundation for being a police officer," said Haroon, 20, a Pakistani native now of Phillipsburg, Warren County. "I really want to get the job done, clear my head and come back."
In the grandstand, 4-year-old Jaycee Berry of Glassboro held up a sign and wore a T-shirt reading, "My Pop-pop's an American soldier." She and the rest of her family were preparing to say goodbye to Staff Sgt. Rocco Albano, 52, of Glassboro.
"This is very emotional for us," said Albano's wife, Grace, as she stood next to Jaycee. "We're concerned but proud. It's what he wants to do."
On the other side of the field - in the shade of a pine - Kathleen Lugo, 27, of Laurence Harbor, Middlesex County, was "soaking up every minute of time" with her husband, Sgt. Gabriel Lugo, 29. "He's always ready for everything," said Kathleen, who will give birth to the couple's second child in a month.
Leaving is difficult, said Lugo, because his wife is pregnant and because he recently started a job as an officer with the Sayreville Police Department in Middlesex County.
"But I remember what our forefathers did for this country," he said. "I was born a free American and want to make sure the country stays free. Certain people have to step up to the plate."
June 15, 2008
Pg. 1
By Edward Colimore, Inquirer Staff Writer
They held small American flags and homemade signs that read "Come home soon," and "My Pop-pop's an American soldier." Many waved and cheered loved ones marching by in neat ranks. Others wept over their imminent departure.
For the last six months, the families of nearly 3,000 Iraq-bound members of the 50th Infantry Brigade Combat Team had been preparing for this historic day - the largest deployment of the New Jersey National Guard since World War II. Army parachutists dropped in, F-16 jets whooshed by, and Gov. Corzine spoke of sacrifice and courage.
But for those directly affected, yesterday's "Farewell Salute" at Fort Dix was not so much a public ceremony as it was a family gathering for hugs, tears, photos and memories. It was the beginning of goodbyes lasting until Thursday, when the first members of the unit will head to Fort Bliss, Texas, for intense training, then to Kuwait and Iraq by late summer.
Sitting in the grandstand under a blazing sun, Andrea Garrity clearly saw her husband, Pfc. Harry Garrity, 22, of Deptford. He stood at the head of the troops, proudly holding the green swallowtail guidon of the 328th Military Police Combat Support Unit.
"We just got married on Monday," said Andrea Garrity, also 22. "We're going to Wildwood this weekend. Then he's going [to be deployed]. He'll be with a great bunch of guys. But I'm still in denial."
His absence "for a whole year is worrying - with all that's going on over there," said the soldier's mother, Deborah Stecher, 47, of Gibbstown. "I beg for God to shield and protect him."
Across the Doughboy Field parade ground, Garrity spotted his wife and mother in the grandstand. "They don't like me going, but I have to serve my country," he said. "I'm focused on getting the mission done and coming back safely. This is a good group of people. They're my family now."
Their task over the nine months in Iraq will be guarding detention facilities for insurgents and providing convoy security.
The soldiers range in age from 18 to 58 and come from every county of New Jersey: 217 are from Burlington County, 208 from Camden County, and 164 from Gloucester County.
More than 25 percent of the unit's members have already been to Iraq, Afghanistan, Guantanamo Bay or the Sinai Peninsula as part of the war on terrorism. Some volunteered from other units to "finish the job" and share their experience with first-timers. Others are going simply because they have been called to duty.
"We are blessed by your service and sacrifice," Corzine told the assembled brigade while about 8,000 relatives looked on. "But New Jerseyans also understand that the sacrifice is not yours alone. It's your loved ones' . . . those who support you here at home. There is not a New Jerseyan anywhere who does not pray for you."
Corzine - joined by other officials - pledged that the state would take care of Guard members' loved ones during the deployment. "While you are away, we must make sure to provide for your families' support," he said.
About 250 members of the 50th Brigade are women, and some of them are members - for the first time in the history of the New Jersey Guard - of infantry battalions, serving in logistics and administrative positions.
"Each and every soldier on this parade ground is an American hero - not because of this deployment, but you raised your right hand in an all-volunteer army to make a difference and protect our way of life," said Maj. Gen. Glenn Rieth, the state's adjutant general. "You answered the nation's call to duty when it matters most. . . . You are part of a powerful hometown team from all 21 counties of New Jersey."
Rieth said the brigade - nicknamed the "Jersey Blues" - has 13 married couples, 15 brothers, a pair of sisters, eight pairs of brothers and sisters, two pairs of mothers and sons, and five pairs of fathers and sons.
Among the father-son teams is Sgt. Christopher Howe, 43, and Pvt. Christopher Howe Jr., 22, both of Lumberton.
"I'm confident we can do what we have been assigned to do," Sgt. Howe said. "I'd be lying if I said I'm not somewhat concerned because of my son being there. His role in Iraq will be to provide prison security. I will be out escorting convoys. We have work to do over there; I fully support the mission."
The younger Howe said his girlfriend had been nervous about his deployment. "But I can't wait to begin," he said. "I'm getting mentally focused."
Sgt. Eugenio Santiago, 47, of Buena, said he, too, was excited about serving in Iraq. He was there in 2003 and 2004. "I'm pumped," he said. "I want to serve my country."
His son, Spec. Eugenio Santiago III, 22, of Franklinville, will join him. "I went in for the college" funds offered by the military, said the younger Santiago. "I've been on active duty since I joined. I'm ready for this."
The unit has learned how to fire the latest weapons, use urban troop-movement techniques, operate humvees through obstacle courses, and provide first aid on the battlefield. But the training will become even tougher at Fort Bliss.
"I'm a little excited and nervous," said Spec. Deirdre Starrett, 43, of Bridgeton, a single parent who brought two daughters with her to the ceremony. "They will stay with family friends. I have mixed feelings about this. I'm not prepared, but I will be. The most intense training is coming up."
Some members of the unit, such as Pfc. Zeshan Haroon, were born in other countries but dreamed of being American soldiers. "It's a good foundation for being a police officer," said Haroon, 20, a Pakistani native now of Phillipsburg, Warren County. "I really want to get the job done, clear my head and come back."
In the grandstand, 4-year-old Jaycee Berry of Glassboro held up a sign and wore a T-shirt reading, "My Pop-pop's an American soldier." She and the rest of her family were preparing to say goodbye to Staff Sgt. Rocco Albano, 52, of Glassboro.
"This is very emotional for us," said Albano's wife, Grace, as she stood next to Jaycee. "We're concerned but proud. It's what he wants to do."
On the other side of the field - in the shade of a pine - Kathleen Lugo, 27, of Laurence Harbor, Middlesex County, was "soaking up every minute of time" with her husband, Sgt. Gabriel Lugo, 29. "He's always ready for everything," said Kathleen, who will give birth to the couple's second child in a month.
Leaving is difficult, said Lugo, because his wife is pregnant and because he recently started a job as an officer with the Sayreville Police Department in Middlesex County.
"But I remember what our forefathers did for this country," he said. "I was born a free American and want to make sure the country stays free. Certain people have to step up to the plate."