Moving ceremony as southern Illinois soldiers prepare to deploy to Afghanistan
Kyle Deen has found his band of brothers.
The 23-year-old Du Quoin man comes from a military lineage and even thought about joining the Air Force, but once he went through Army basic training, he figured out where he belongs. Now, he has his boots planted firmly on the ground.
"It's an experience for me," Deen said this week as he surveyed a crowd of hundreds of fellow recruits at the Banterra Center on the SIU campus. "I've come to love these guys a lot."
He will have plenty of time to spend with them. Deen is among nearly 400 members of the 2nd Batallion, 130th Infantry of the National Guard that soon will head to Afghanistan to serve as a security detail. On Tuesday, the soldiers - many of them preparing for their first deployments ever - participated in a mobilization ceremony on the SIU campus that was laced with patriotism, pride and even a few tears from onlooking family and friends.
The units preparing to deploy come from Marion, West Frankfort, Mt. Vernon, Effingham and Litchfield. Dalton Antrim of Greenup, also facing his first overseas deployment, acknowledged the bittersweet emotions of the day but said he was looking forward to serving in uniform.
"It's kind of sad, but I'm proud," said Antrim, straightening his posture.
The 2nd Batallion will carry quite the legacy with it when it heads to the Middle East. The "Black Hawks," so named for their involvement in the Black Hawk War of 1832, actually trace their history all the way back to the War of 1812. Since then, its members have participated in most of America's military conflicts, from the Civil War to the more recent War on Terrorism.
That history weighed heavily on Tuesday's proceedings, with commanders noting the importance of the soldiers' coming work. Brig. Gen. Richard Neely, adjutant general, said that only a slim margin of Americans answer the call to serve, and those preparing to deploy to Afghanistan represent the very best of the nation's determination and resolve.
"These soldiers and what they're about to do epitomizes what it means to be a soldier," Neely told the crowd. "You're the 1 percent that says, 'I'll pick up the pack, I'll pick up the rifle' and go forward."
Lt. Col. Greg Settle, the batallion's commander, echoed those remarks and said these soldiers are ready to serve.
"These soldiers are the best trained, best equipped - you will not find a finer, more prepared organization," he said.
State and local dignitaries were at Tuesday's ceremony, including state Rep. Terri Bryant, state Sen. Paul Schimpf, state Rep. Dave Severin, state Sen. Dale Fowler, Carbondale Mayor Mike Henry and Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker.
Pritzker said the soldiers are setting an invaluable example for their fellow Illinoisans, calling them "a force of ordinary citizens committed to extraordinary work."
"You are building on the strength of your fellow Illinoisans," Pritzker said. "When the rest of us strive to serve our communities with selflessness, we would do well to emulate you."
After the ceremony, the soldiers embraced with loved ones and reflected on the experience to come. Trenton Byrd of Harrisburg will leave behind a young family and a deep record of demolition derby racing, but he said Tuesday the sacrifice is well worth it. The 22-year-old said he is proud to serve.
"I've always wanted to be in the military," Byrd said.
Joshua Rodely of West Frankfort also comes from a military family, his father having served in Vietnam. Rodely said when the call came, he felt an obligation to answer.
"I just thought it was something I should do," he said.