State sends off historic deployment

FAYETTEVILLE, Feb. 13 — Holding hands and waving miniature U.S. flags, more than 8,000 family members and friends said goodbye Thursday to the 4,000-plus members of the 30th Heavy Separate Brigade of the N.C. Army National Guard.

Spilling into the aisles at Crown Coliseum, the dense mass of people sporting U.S. flag T-shirts braved the rainy weather and poured into the concrete dome to wish a safe deployment to the brigade participating in Operation Iraqi Freedom, including members from North Carolina, New York, Ohio and West Virginia.

The ceremony, which marked the largest single call-up of N.C. National Guard soldiers since World War II, also was attended by Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Richard Myers, N.C. Gov. Mike Easley and members of the state’s congressional delegation.

“It is my honor to be here today,” Easley said, standing in front of the fatigue-clad soldiers. “You make us all proud to be Americans.”

Easley went on to commend the brigade, known as “Old Hickory,” and its extensive past, including involvement in both world wars. “There are few, if any, that can claim the history of the 30th.”

Brigade members are doing a great service to their country, Easley said, extending thanks from himself and his wife. Ending his remarks with a hardy “Hooyah!,” Easley evoked the roar of soldiers and family members alike.

Despite impending deployment to countries thousands of miles away, many of those headed overseas said they are not only ready to serve, they are proud to do so.

Wanda Cook, whose husband, Sgt. Steven Cook, is a member of the brigade, said she is nervous for her husband but confident he will return. She and her husband have four children, who range in age from 12 to 18. “I’ve got faith that he’s coming back,” she said, smiling.

Inducted into active federal duty last October, the members of the brigade have been training for months at several locations, including Fort Drum in New York and Fayetteville’s Fort Bragg, said Master of Ceremonies Lt. Col. Tom Harris of the N.C. National Guard.

Donning fatigues, Myers, 15th chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, also said he is proud of the members of the 30th Brigade and that the threat of terrorism is still real.

“The only thing that stands between terrorism and our freedom is you,” he said.

Myers added that he knows the cost was great and thanked the families and employers of the soldiers for supporting the endeavor on which their companions are about to embark.

“You have the opportunity to change the course of history,” he said. “I’m proud to stand in uniform with you. … God bless you, and God bless your families.”

The ceremony concluded with the Brigade’s commander, Brig. Gen. Dan Hickman, addressing the crowd with a confident tone. “We’ll be good, we’ll be careful and we’ll be back,” he cried as cheers emitted from the thousands of onlookers.

As the band led the bevy of family and friends in a rendition of “The Army Goes Rolling Along,” soldiers began to disperse and look for loved ones.

Sgt. James Davis, who is not being deployed but knows many of the men and women who are, said he wished he were going and came to support those who are.

“I wanted to make sure they were taken care of, like a big brother,” he said. “Whenever anything happens to one of us, it happens to all of us.”

Contact the State & National Editor at stntdesk@unc.edu.