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reprint or license thisROUSING SEND-OFF
Guard hailed for ‘walking the walk’
By CHUCK CRUMBO
ccrumbo@thestate.com
Soldiers of an S.C. National Guard brigade bound for Afghanistan received a rousing, sun-splashed send-off Saturday at Williams-Brice Stadium.
Beneath sunny skies on a springlike afternoon, 3,000 soldiers of the 218th Enhanced Separate Brigade stood in formation on the manicured football field.
And in the stands, 10,000 spouses, children, friends and neighbors gathered for a 70-minute ceremony that included patriotic music, waving flags, speeches by politicians and generals, and a flyover by two National Guard attack helicopters.
U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, who led the S.C. congressional delegation, said the unit’s mission to Afghanistan would strike a “mighty blow to the Taliban,” which harbored al-Qaida terrorists involved in the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.
Terrorist leader Osama bin Laden “and his henchmen ... are on the run,” said Graham, who presented a U.S. flag that flew over the Capitol to brigade leaders. “America will never be attacked again from Afghanistan.”
Gov. Mark Sanford, noting that the troops are members of an all-volunteer military, praised the troops for their sacrifice.
The soldiers set an example for South Carolinians “in this old-fashioned notion of walking the walk,” said Sanford. He, too, had a flag for the unit, but his was an S.C. flag that flew over the State House.
Approximately 1,800 troops will deploy this spring for a yearlong mission to Afghanistan in support of the war on terrorism.
There the unit will assume command of Task Force Phoenix, with headquarters near Kabul, taking over the training of the Afghan National Army and police. Those soldiers will form the 218th Brigade Combat Team.
Before they head overseas in May, most of the troops will spend eight weeks training at Camp Shelby, Miss. Another contingent will go to Fort Riley, Kan., where the Army schools troops who will train Afghan soldiers.
Some of the soldiers will begin leaving for Camp Shelby on Monday.
Several hundred of the Newberry-headquartered unit’s remaining troops will leave for the U.S.-Mexico border to assist authorities in curbing illegal immigration, the Guard said. Groups of soldiers will rotate to the border about every three weeks beginning in March.
“You’re receiving the best South Carolina has to offer,” Graham, R.-S.C., said to Lt. Gen. Russel Honore, who also was on the speakers’ platform. “Take care of these soldiers.”
Honore is commanding general of the 1st Army, which is responsible for mobilizing and training National Guard and Reserve soldiers before they deploy overseas.
The blunt-talking, three-star leader fired up the crowd and troops when he told them that the Sept. 11 terrorists’ attacks prompted the “president of the United States to open a big ol’ can of whup ass.”
Honore promised the troops that when they’re ready to leave Camp Shelby, they’ll be “fit to fight” in “full battle-rattle,” prompting a chorus of cheers and a standing ovation.
Honore, who had taken his seat, stood, faced the stands and saluted.
While there was plenty of pomp and circumstance, the afternoon also took on the flavor of a family gathering.
The three daughters of brigade commander Brig. Gen. Bob Livingston — Roxanna, 18, Rebekah, 20, and Rachel, 23 — sang the national anthem.
And after the ceremony, families walked onto the field to meet their soldiers for a round of picture-taking and hugs.
“I’ve got a lump in my throat,” said Pam Jezewski, wife of Capt. Brian Jezewski, commander of Beaufort-based Troop B, 202nd Cavalry. “It’s starting to set in.”
Capt. Jezewski, who also was joined by three of his four children, said the tough part will be caring for everyone at home.
When the cavalry was called up after Sept. 11, soldiers deployed to airports to provide additional security, Jezewski said. They were close enough that the troops could go home every few days.
“This time we’re going to be halfway around the world,” he said.
Spirits among the troops appeared high.
“I’m looking forward to it,” said 21-year-old Spc. Travis Duncan, who’s having to sidetrack work on his college degree.
Pvt. Robert Davis, 21, got married three weeks ago. He and his bride knew the Afghanistan mission was looming when they set the wedding date a year ago, Davis said.
“I’m ready to go,” said Davis, another member of Troop B. “Members of my family have served in the Army in the Revolutionary War. Now, it’s my turn.”
Reach Crumbo at (803) 771-8503.
WHAT’S NEXT
Approximately 1,800 soldiers of the S.C. National Guard’s 218th Enhanced Separate Brigade will go to Afghanistan this year.
Today — About 200 of the Mullins-based 1st Battalion, 263rd Armor, return to Camp Shelby, Miss., and prepare to leave for Afghanistan.
Monday — Some troops with specialized skills leave for additional training.
Thursday — 120 brigade leaders and 40 medics leave the 218th’s headquarters in Newberry to set up training at Camp Shelby, Miss.
Mid-February — Remaining members of the brigade report for two months of training at Camp Shelby and Fort Riley, Kan.
Mid-May — The 218th Brigade Combat Team deploys for a year of duty in Afghanistan.
What’s next
About 1,800 S.C. National Guard soldiers will go to Afghanistan this year.
Saturday: A public deployment ceremony for the 218th Brigade Combat Team was held at Williams-Brice Stadium at 2 p.m.
Today: About 200 members of the Mullins-based 1st Battalion, 263rd Armor, return to Camp Shelby, Miss., and prepare to leave for Afghanistan.
Thursday: Nearly 120 brigade leaders and 40 medics leave the 218th’s Newberry headquarters to set up training at Camp Shelby.
Mid-February: Remaining members of the brigade will report for two months of training at Camp Shelby and Fort Riley, Kan.
Mid-May: The brigade leaves for a year of duty in Afghanistan.
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