Emporia Va. National Guard unit deploying to Afghanistan

Another unit is deploying to Afghanistan in the continuing war on terrorism. From the Richmond Times-Dispatch:

About 160 members of the Virginia National Guard are conducting final training for a deployment to Afghanistan.

A departure ceremony was held in Emporia on Wednesday for the members of the 1710th Transportation Company, 529th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 329th Regional Support Group.
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It is the first Virginia National Guard unit to serve on federal active duty since July. The unit last served federal active duty in Iraq from May 2008 to February 2009.

Freedom is not free....

Our Citizen Soldiers ...

Jerry over at From On High reminds us of the great job our Citizen Soldiers do everyday of our lives. In the Augusta County-Staunton-Waynesboro area, we have many National Guardsmen living in our community. Our hats are off to them in gratitude.

Video of Three Doors Down and their tribute to our Citizen Soldiers. We are FREE because of the BRAVE....

H/T From On High

Homecoming for 116th Stonewall Brigade ... "these colors don't run"

Photos by SWAC Girl

Homecoming for 116th Stonewall Brigade ... the signs

Photos by SWAC Girl

Homecoming for 116th Stonewall Brigade ... Congressman Goodlatte welcome home troops

Congressman Bob Goodlatte (R-6th Congressional Distrct) was in Stuanton Thursday to welcome home the troops of the 116th Stonewall Brigade. He has been a strong supporter of the military and of the mission in Iraq.

Photos by SWAC Girl

They're coming home! Stonewall Brigade back from Iraq

Staunton's Stonewall Brigade, the 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Unit, is coming home from Iraq! Escorted by the Patriot Guard Riders, they are tentatively scheduled to return to the Staunton Armory Thursday to a homecoming welcome from the community.

If you are in the area please make plans to come out and welcome home our heroes! Email for more details.

They all came to say farewell to the 116th - May 2007
Flags, flags, flags for the 116th Stonewall Brigade - May 2007
"We are praying for the 116th" - May 2007

Virginia National Guardsman Spc. David Lambert killed in Iraq

Cedar Bluff, Virginia, in the southwestern county of Tazewell ... home to Spc. David E. Lambert, 39 ... is grieving the loss of one of their own who was killed by an improvised explosive device (IED) in Baghdad on Friday.

Based with the 237th Engineer Company, 276th Engineer Battalion, 91st Troop Command in West Point, Spc. Lambert had left in July for training before heading to the Middle East.

Major General Robert B. Newman Jr., the adjutant general of Virginia, released a statement:

"The loss of this brave soldier is felt deeply by his fellow Guardsmen. I know that all Virginians share the grief felt by his family, and I ask for our fellow citizens to keep Spc. Lambert and his family in their prayers."

Spc. Lambert will posthumously be awarded the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Combat Action Badge, and the Good Conduct Medal.

A grateful Nation kneels in prayer and thankfulness at the supreme sacrifice of Spc. Lambert in protecting us from terrorism, and our thoughts and prayers are with his family.

Staunton National Guard Armory's Family Night

It was family night at the Staunton Armory where the famous 116th "Stonewall Brigade" was based out of before deploying to Iraq in May. I was invited to join my friend and neighbor Jan whose husband, Herb, and son, Dan, returned from Iraq a few months ago.

Family night is for the families left behind -- the mothers, fathers, spouses, children -- of those who have gone to war ... and some whose loved ones have returned from war ... and some who have lost loved ones in the war. Over 50 adults attended as well as 25 children.

The parking lot was filled with vehicles, many with National Guard license plates. Most had bumper stickers ... "Proud Wife of Iraqi Freedom Fighter," "My Husband Is a Marine," "Proud Member VA National Guard," "Support Our Troops," "God Bless America," and more.

Held monthly, the family nights start with a potluck dinner and offer an opportunity for everyone to spend time together. Babysitting is provided for the children who play in the gym while the parents talk and spend some "adult time" together.

Robin and Maurice are the family coordinators who pull it all together, keeping in touch with families while a loved one is overseas, helping those who are about to deploy, untying red tape for families when necessary. They take care of their "family."

For anyone who may like to help support the troops you may want to consider adopting a military family who has a loved one deployed to war. There are numerous jobs that need to be done ... mowing the grass, repairing a screen door, helping in some small way to make their lives easier.

May God bless our military ... and may God bless their families.

Staunton Armory's 116th prepares for Iraq....

There's a great article about the 116th Infantry Brigade of the Virginia National Guard based out of the Staunton Armory and their training for the upcoming Iraq deployment in today's Waynesboro News-Virginian written by Alicia Petska.

These are our neighbors, friends, family members in the SWAC area. These are the men and women who sacrifice so we may go about our lives in freedom.

Major Alan Carter, 37, of Waynesboro is typical of the many who have signed up to the service of this country. His reaction upon receiving news of deployment was "ecstatic." Even though he will be leaving his wife and four-month-old daughter behind, he said:

“I’m actually looking forward to it,” the 37-year-old Waynesboro man said cheerfully. “… This is one [mission] I finally get to go on.”

As a full-time personnel manager for the Staunton-based 116th Infantry Brigade, Maj. Carter has already helped send six battalions to Iraq and Afghanistan over the last four years. But, the 18-year National Guard member has never been called himself - this will be his first overseas assignment.

“It’s kind of hard sitting back, watching everyone else go, not being needed,” he reflected Saturday. His wife, he added, was supportive when his marching orders arrived. A former Guard member herself - the two met while serving in the 116th - she understood the call of duty all to well.

“She’s just praying for our safe return,” said Carter.

Among those training and preparing are husband-and-wife team Spcs. Christina and Landon Phillips who will be leaving their one- and two-year-old daughters behind with family members. It will be Landon's second deployment and Christina's first. They are examples of the many citizen soldiers who are willing to do their duty to preserve our freedoms and safety here on the homefront.

Thank you, 116th, for your service and dedication and love of country. We salute you and will keep you in our prayers.

Check out the rest of the article here.