Published Monday, April 13, 2009

Soldier: I'm going to be homesick

The Newnan Times-Herald

One hundred and thirty members of the Georgia National Guard's 48th Brigade departed the Jackson-Pless Armory in Newnan Monday morning on a mission to train and mentor soldiers in the Afghanistan army.

Many of the soldiers said this is their first tour of duty.

"Honestly, I'm scared, I'm nervous, a little bit of everything," said E4 Tim Hall, a LaGrange sporting goods store manager who is leaving his wife and 11-month-old daughter, Autumn, to serve in the infantry as a mortar man.

"I'm going to be homesick," he admitted.

"We just have to be supportive. This is his job," said his wife, Courtney Hall. "We have to be supportive on the home front, regardless of how painful it is."

The company left a little after 10 a.m. for Camp Shelby, Miss., where the soldiers will remain until June, when they will deploy to Afghanistan.

"I've still kind of got a butterfly feeling in my stomach," said E1 Jerry Smallwood. "I just got notified on Monday and Friday I had my briefing."

As a human resource specialist, he expects to be "pretty much doing paperwork," but since this is his first tour, he doesn't know quite what to expect.

PFC Mikel Parrish of Griffin, however, is "ready to go."

Parrish said he will "miss the freedom" but otherwise he wants to "hurry up and get over there.

"I think it will be a fun experience," he said.

When he returns he hopes to finish college and go into a law enforcement career.

Sgt. Glenn Askew of Locust Grove is a police officer, so he is used to danger.

"I'm going to miss my family, but I am proud to serve my country," said the father of three.

"I don't really know what I'll be doing over there, yet," he said.

PFC Blake Pitman will leave behind a 4-month-old daughter, Madalyn, as he departs to serve in the infantry.

"It's rough, but we've got God. We're in church," said his wife, Ericka Pitman. "When he comes back, Madalyn will be walking and talking. One of his biggest fears is that she won't recognize him. But I'm going to show her his picture every night."

"We want her first word to be, 'Daddy,'" said Pitman's mother, Carrla Querry.

"We've got each other to rely on," she said. "He knew since he was 14 he wanted to do this, and I signed for him when he was 17.

"And we're so proud of him, just really proud," she said.

Newnan Mayor Keith Brady, Georgia Reps. Billy Horne and Lynn Smith, state Sen. Mitch Seabaugh, U.S. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland, and a representative from U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson's office were all in attendance as the soldiers assembled at the armory.

"You are heroes," Westmoreland told the troops.

He pledged to be available to the families of the troops in their time of need as their loved ones serve in Afghanistan.

"My office is ready, willing and able to serve any needs you might have," Westmoreland said. "Anything we can do to help you.

"We are proud to honor them today," he said. "These are the men and women who put themselves on the front lines to defend our freedom. We pray that God watches over them, and I will do everything I can here to protect your families."

Smith said she can still vividly remember when her husband went to fight in Vietnam in 1968.

"We watched him go, without the support of the community," said Smith. "Since that time, America has grown," and she said she was proud of the displays of support shown in the streets of Newnan Monday.

"There are times when saying 'thank you' just is not enough," said Horne. "And this is one of them. But we wish you godspeed, and a safe return home."

"We wish you well on your journey," said Brady. "You do have our support."