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BITS AND PIECES - 4/27/2008
(by Howard Ball - OpEd Columnist - April 30, 2008)
Remember the National Guard
The soldiers of the 2nd Battalion, 113th Infantry are in the process of training for deployment. This time to Iraq. Their last deployment was to Guantanamo where they supervised the prisoners held there.
Many years ago Gguards-men were called "weekend warriors." They answered the call to local and state emergencies and were activated to Federal Status in World War Two, Korea and Vietnam.
In the present conflict Gguard units have been deployed for 12 months to critical areas. The soldiers serve in that area and return home many times to be deployed again. That's what happening to the New Jersey Guard as well as units all over the country.
Deployment for a National Guardsman or Reservist is much different than for the Regular regular Aarmy. The Gguardsmen are part-time soldiers at home and hold down many important jobs. The breadwinner of the family counts on a civilian job to finance his family. A man or woman making a substantial salary in civilian life may make much less when deployed. The mortgage doesn't change and the cost of food doesn't change for the family left home and many families face serious crisis.
It is up to us to fill in the gaps for these citizen soldiers, who face up to 18 months of deployment is hostile areas. Maybe, Hillary Clinton did not face sniper fire but the soldiers of the 113th will face snipers and terrorists as part of everyday life.
When the 113th was in Gitmo the prisoners swore at them and tossed urine and feces at them and treated them like dirt. For the most part they kept cool and did their job. Soldiers in Iraq and other combat zones never know where the threat will come from. Our enemy used children and women as weapons. Anybody can be wearing a dynamite vest.
As the men and women of the 113th prepare for deployment, so too are the families of the soldiers preparing. Life will be different without dad or mom. The baby won't wait to be born till dad comes home. Life will go on.
The most important things in many minds are the “American Idol” and the price of gas, but our neighbors and family are being uprooted in the name of liberty. It is nothing new for the National Guard. My great-great-great grandfather left his farm in Townsend, Massachusetts to help fire the "shot heard around the world."
Men and women from Riverdale Armory will be doing their duty soon. Keep them in your daily prayers. There will be benefits and activities to support the families. Reach out and help – it is your family!
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