Sunday, October 24, 2004
By DEE GOODIN
GRAY - The families of A Company of the 844th Engineering Battalion put up a brave front while they said goodbye to their loved ones on Saturday morning.
But stoicism dissolved into tears as they watched the soldiers pull away from the National Guard Armory in Gray in three chartered buses.
1st Sgt. Tony Peace, Kingsport, said an extended good-bye to his wife, Allison, and their children, Abigail, 11 and Matthew, 7. This is Peace's second tour overseas.
"I was in Desert Storm during 1990 and 1991," Peace said.
At that time he served with Company C, based in Greeneville, he said.
In civilian life, Peace works at Eastman Chemical Co.
Although separation from his family will be difficult, Peace said he was glad the waiting was over. "We've been waiting since Sept. 11," Peace said. "Not knowing when we would go but just waiting and waiting. Knowing we're going to get it over with is a relief. We've got to do what we've got to do."
His wife said Peace "hates to leave the kids. A year is an eternity to a child."
Capt. Alfred C. "Chuck" Anderson said the men and women will first go to Camp Atterbury in Edinburg, Ind., before heading to Kuwait. The company is scheduled to spend 545 days, approximately 18 months, overseas. But, Anderson added, that that amount of time "can be increased or decreased, depending on the needs of the Army."
Anderson, who is also known as "Chainsaw" among company members, is leaving his wife, Karen, who is expecting, and their first child, Paul Riley, 4, behind. The family resides in the Friendsville community near Maryville.
Anderson said the nearly 100 soldiers and two other engineering companies, one out of Greeneville and the other out of Chattanooga, were also traveling to Camp Atterbury.
"We want to thank everybody who donated supplies, office equipment, the general population who donated their old freezers so we could keep our water cold," Anderson said. "The outpouring of community support has been overwhelming."
With last -minute instructions on care of his vehicle to his father-in-law, Anderson hugged his 4-year-old and his wife once more. As he walked away, his sister, Claudine Anderson, plaintively called, "Hey! What about me?" Laughing, Anderson, hugged his sister tightly.
As the time for the company's departure approached, family members clung more tightly to their soldiers. As the company gathered in formation, one couple broke their embrace, and yet the young woman held onto her soldier's hand, seemingly unwilling to let him.
A camouflage-clad father roughly grabbed his pre-teen daughter and pulled her into his arms for a last hug.
"Let me say good-bye just one more time," one of the men called to his fellow soldiers as he ran back to where his family stood.
Several Gray residents stood in front of their homes and waved at the convoy as it passed by. One of the many signs simply said "God Bless You."
Story Copyright to Kingsport Times-News