Published Thursday, June 04, 2009
With training completed, soldiers ready to deploy
The Newnan Times-Herald
Between rain showers Wednesday evening, loved ones said tearful second goodbyes to members of the 48th Infantry Brigade Bravo Company Second Battalion who are deploying to Afghanistan in the coming days.
A bus departed the Jackson-Pless National Guard Armory shortly after 6 p.m. to return the soldiers to Camp Shelby, Miss., where they've been training to enter the war zone. They had been granted four-day leave to visit family and friends.
Sgt. Jason Abercrombie, of Brunswick, said goodbye in Newnan to his wife, Emily, who is expecting twins this fall, and their 14-year-old, Paul. Abercrombie served in Iraq in 2005.
"This is seriously bittersweet," said Abercrombie. "In Mississippi, we were getting in a groove. It breaks your heart to have to say goodbye again. We have to dig deep."
Abercrombie said the unit has covered all warrior training tasks in Mississippi and are "fully prepared" for Afghanistan. In fact, the state of Georgia offered these soldiers extra training to ensure they are "extra ready."
"We are as prepared as any person could be," he said. "I have absolute faith in every one of those guys."
Still, the soldiers and their families plan to take this deployment one day at a time.
"God bless the people of Newnan and thank you to everybody [who's supported the unit]," said Abercrombie.
Kelly Vancoillie, of Newnan, put her 18-year-old son, Tim Session, on the bus Wednesday. Their goodbye was an emotional one because Session is the youngest of her three sons, all members of the Army National Guard.
The bus was loaded full of sweets donated by citizens of Newnan. The unit was also given a financial donation to get dinner on the road to Camp Shelby.
Helen Rivers stopped by the armory Wednesday with her children, Amelia, 9, Seiler, 6, and Righton, 3, to bring homemade goodies to the soldiers for their long bus ride to Mississippi.
Helen Rivers said her family just wanted to be a part of the community support in "wishing them a safe journey and travels."
McCullough Burns, 11, celebrated his birthday on April 18, and instead of asking for gifts, he asked for presents for the soldiers, or money so he could buy items for the unit. In addition to writing them a card, he purchased candy, board games, magazines and cards to help them relax in their downtime.
The bus was driven by Newnan's Jerry Cochran, who orchestrated the discounted transportation with help from his long-time friend, Chief Buster Meadows of the Newnan Police Department.
The unit will have family day at Camp Shelby today before deploying in the coming days. Their mission is to train and mentor the Afghan National Security Forces.
"The guys are real excited," said Sgt. James Kuhn, 29, of Newnan -- who is already in Mississippi. "They are ready to get over there and do their job so they can come back home to their friends and families."
