BY CHRIS DUMOND
BRISTOL HERALD COURIER
May 19, 12:00 AM EDT

To inquire about helping support the families of the 278th, call the Family Readiness Group at (423) 279-0864 or the armory at 989-6640.

BRISTOL, Tenn. – While soldiers of the Tennessee National Guard’s 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment train and pack for mobilization next month, their families and communities brace for their departure.

The regiment is the largest in the Tennessee National Guard, with units stretching from here to Jackson.

Locally, the 2nd Squadron is headquartered in Kingsport and Troop F is stationed in Bristol.

The soldiers will be leaving on Father’s Day for Camp Shelby, Miss., with a forward group from the Kingsport headquarters leaving 10 days earlier, officials said Tuesday.

A senior officer said he could not confirm a report in the Greeneville Sun that the regiment would be going to Iraq in the fall.

Camille Waye of Kingsport is spearheading the Family Readiness Group’s preparations to take care of soldiers and the families they’re leaving behind.

The group brought in members of the American Red Cross to brief family members and soldiers on what to expect.

Waye said she’s trying to organize a list of reputable companies that won’t take advantage of soldiers’ families while they’re gone.

In the coming year, she said, it will be important to set up supports for some families expected to take large cuts in their incomes because of the mobilization.

"We need to make sure these wives and families have somewhere to go should they get between paychecks," she said.

For now, one of the most important factors could be moral support, she said.

"Put those yellow ribbons back up," she said. "The war is not over for us. There are guys out there risking their lives and doing a lot for the country."

She said she knows mothers whose sons are leaving home for the first time, men who are leaving large families and other soldiers whose sons and daughters will be born while they are away.

"If you see a family member or know a family member, give them an encouraging word because it’s going to be very hard," she said.

One way neighbors can lend support is by attending a June 19 send-off at Viking Hall Civic Center, she said. Another is through corporate donations.

She said money will be needed for soldier care packages and to support soldiers’ families.

Meanwhile, at the Bluff City Highway armory, the troops have been packing and training in general soldiering skills.

Staff Sgt. Shawn Swavely said that although the regiment is organized to provide reconnaissance, surveillance and security for its Army division, he’s not sure what to expect.

Soldiers also were not sure when they would return home, he said.

"We’ve had to reorganize a little," he said. "I’m not sure if we’re set in the final orientation as to what we’re going to be doing over there."

Swavely said he expected that of the 112 soldiers in the Bristol group, up to 95 will leave next month.

cdumond@bristolnews.com | (276) 791-0701