| On August 14th, 2004, "Bravo" Company of the | | | | for the event, reported that over $22,000 had |
| Texas National Guard, the unit stationed here | | | | been raised so far to take care of those |
| in Stephenville, Texas, was deployed. It had | | | | left behind. John and I have become friends |
| been 64 years since so many National Guard | | | | throughout the preapartaion for Bravo's |
| troops from Texas were mobilized for an | | | | deployment and, as he continued to publicly |
| overseas deployment, and that was for a world | | | | give me credit, soldiers were shaking my hand |
| war. Company B is one of four brigades of the | | | | and thanking me throughout the evening. All I |
| National Guard's 36th Infantry Division. It | | | | did was what I do: I sent out eMail |
| is headquartered in Fort Worth but has units | | | | broadcasts pertaining to Bravo's deployment |
| spread across North and West Texas, including | | | | and activities as they were given to me. In |
| Arlington, Irving, Weatherford, Denton, | | | | her speach, Bea Marin reminded the wives |
| Brownwood and, of course, Stephenville. Bravo | | | | that, "it never fails...as soon as your |
| Company would be spending several months at | | | | soldier leaves, the washer breaks or you have |
| Fort Hood. Then, off to Iraq.HUGE turnout by | | | | car trouble..." That's where Bravo Company's |
| the community as the buses and vehicles | | | | Family Readiness Group comes in. Rogers |
| filled with crying soldiers crawled down the | | | | informed me that any plumbers, carpenters, |
| main drag. Easily over one thousand - perhaps | | | | tire companies, mechanics....anyone willing |
| two? - of flag waving Americans turned out. | | | | to assist the families left behind in ANY |
| Cheering. Crying. Two local radio DJ's set up | | | | way, should contact him at 254.965.4243 and |
| on the corner where the convoy turned. They | | | | he'd help make them "official."Regarding the |
| were so verklempt, they could hardly speak.I | | | | Well-wishing parade on Wednesday morning, |
| couldn't help but think of how often | | | | Rogers said that the unit commander was |
| throughout America's history towns have | | | | considering having the bus drive by |
| gathered as their men marched off to war. I'm | | | | Stephenville's High School, Junior High and |
| SO proud of our liitle burg. Flag waving, | | | | Middle School so that kids can wave good-bye. |
| banners, red, white & blue clothes | | | | The town of Hico actually met the bus with a |
| everywhere, school kids holding banners and | | | | special reception of emergency vehicles and |
| signs, businesses had released everyone who | | | | law enforcement people. Morgan Mill, Three |
| wanted to go. Fire trucks and police escorted | | | | Way and Lingleville schools joined the |
| the convoy of big camouflaged trucks, one big | | | | well-wishers in Stephenville.The one thing |
| greyhound bus, several pick-ups loaded with | | | | that was glaringly obvious at that night's |
| equipment as soldiers saluted. Now THIS was a | | | | ceremony was that, no matter whether one |
| parade! Shouts of "God bless you" and "give | | | | supported the war or not, was a Republican or |
| 'em Hell", chants of "Bravo! Bravo!" could | | | | a Democrat, suddenly none of that mattered. |
| be heard. It was awesome. Sniff.I'll never | | | | These men were willing to lay their lives |
| forget the contorted facial features of one | | | | down for others, and that was truly the |
| soldier driving a pick-up, tears streaming | | | | finest thing America had to offer. A Great |
| down his face, as his wife, baby clenched in | | | | Teacher I know once said, "Greater love hath |
| her arms, ran up to his vehicle for one last | | | | no man than this, that a man lay down his |
| hug and kiss. Nor will I ever lose the image | | | | life for a friend." To me, that night, I had |
| of the Hispanic father who found his boy and | | | | the privilege of shaking hands with some of |
| raced for one last kiss on the cheek and | | | | the bravest Americans I've ever met. As it |
| squeeze of his neck as the macho soldier | | | | turned out, thank God, as of today -Veteran's |
| cried and bit his lower lip. Double | | | | Day 2005 - Bravo hasn't lost a man.Good |
| sniff.Bravo, Bravo Company!The previous | | | | news!I heard Paul Harvey on the radio today, |
| Monday night's deployment ceremony marked | | | | stating that Arlington National Cemetary was |
| Company B's first moments of active duty. | | | | making room for 30,000 more miltary graves. |
| These men were no longer citizen/soldiers; | | | | My brother-in-law, a US Army Brigade |
| they were just soldiers. As a Sergeant called | | | | Commander, is about to return to Iraq for |
| "Company B....attention!", the men, numbering | | | | another 2-year tour. It made me feel a bit |
| about 70, snapped to their feet, in some | | | | sad, thinking on these things. But when I got |
| cases, their children with their arms wrapped | | | | to work, I had good news. I was informed that |
| around their legs. Tears began to flow as the | | | | Bravo's ETA was January 7th, 2006. One of the |
| Sergeant read their marching orders, straight | | | | wives told me this and promised to keep me |
| from the Governor's office. I felt a lump in | | | | informed. I promised her I'd be right in the |
| my throat myself as he read the part about | | | | thick of the plans for the welcome home |
| them being away no less than 500-something | | | | celebration. John Rogers had popped in to see |
| days. All I could think was that any 2-year | | | | me just yesterday. I promised him the |
| old would be four and any high school junior | | | | same.It's exciting and I marvel at how the |
| would have graduated by the time they get | | | | whole thing continually gets me choked up. I |
| home.The turn-out was impressive - about 300 | | | | must be getting old.Do something special for |
| or so - and there was enough food, drinks, | | | | these people iwhen they come marching home to |
| ice and dessert to feed us all. V.W. Stevens | | | | your community. Welcome these brave men and |
| let Company B have his City Hall banquet | | | | women back home with eveything you got. Many |
| facility at no charge. The fish dinner was | | | | feel as though they've been to Hell and |
| donated by the Bass Club. Pies and cakes were | | | | back.Let's give 'em Heaven.UPDATE: Today, |
| baked by some lovely women who've had this | | | | December 21, 2005, the plans were finalized |
| deployment experience in days gone by. Some | | | | for our welcome Home Celebration. I signed |
| have even lost some soldiers themselves in | | | | the Parade Permit myself. A friend, a City |
| previous wars.The Deployment Ceremony lasted | | | | Councilman, called the Police Chief and Fire |
| less than two hours and included speeches | | | | Marshall to get them to escort the Company to |
| from armed service veterans such as Bea Marin | | | | their Welcome Home dinner. I had already |
| and former Stephenville Mayor John Moser. | | | | designed an ad which I broadcast to the media |
| There were lots of tears, lots of pictures, | | | | and about 700 business and community leaders. |
| lots of soldiers and their wives sitting | | | | Basically, we'll be lining the streets, |
| close with their arms around each other. I | | | | honking horns, car lights on, ringing |
| asked one soldier "so, what's it like?", | | | | cowbells and playing patriotic music while we |
| referring to his upcoming deployment. He | | | | wave flags,yellow ribbons, and banners. The |
| answered that he had been deployed once | | | | convoy will follow behind Police and Fire |
| before during Desert Storm but added, "I | | | | trucks while we line the parade route to |
| didn't have my kids then." He shook my hand, | | | | their Welcome Home dinner. Already, the |
| smiled and said, "See ya in two years, I | | | | excitement is mounting! If you'd like a copy |
| hope."Veteran John Rogers, the coordinator | | | | of the flyer we designed, just write . |