The company is readying to depart for a yearlong deployment in support of U.S. Central Command operations, which is the unified command responsible for U.S. security interests in 27 nations that stretch from the Horn of Africa through the Arabian Gulf region, into Central Asia.
The crowd wanted the soldiers and their families to know that the Miami Valley is firmly in their corner while they are deployed and will be ready with open arms when they return from their mission, and gave the soldiers a rousing standing ovation when they entered the gym in Piqua’s high school for the sendoff.
Gov. Mike DeWine told the soldiers and their families that he was representing 11-and-a-half million Ohioans who are saying “thank you” for your service and “we are very proud of each and every one of you. We wish you well and look forward to when you get back — Godspeed.”
DeWine added, that to all the families and friends of the soldiers, as well as the communities that they live in and support, “thank you for your sacrifice as well. Sometimes we forget the sacrifice that the family members take on.”
Piqua Mayor Kris Lee saluted the 1487th Transportation Co., nicknamed the “Iron Camels,” that was last deployed in 2012-2013.
“This is the oldest unit in the state and we are honored to have you here,” Lee said. “We will be praying for you.”
The Adjutant General of the Ohio National Guard, Maj. Gen. John C. Harris, Jr., a two-star general, challenged the soldiers to give their best while deployed, and to create the a special bond that will be able to handle any situation.
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“The men and women that are sitting before you are willing to go into harm’s way,” he said, as the crowd roared its approval.
John and Alberto Zapata, both current students the University of Akron and Hamilton High School grads, are corporals and soon-to-be moving up the ranks to sergeant. The 22-year-old identical twins are looking forward to being deployed. They volunteered from a different guard unit to join the 1487th’s mission.
“We signed up and we wanted to serve,” John Zapata explained, as the brothers have actually been in the military since their time at Hamilton High School. “It was a smooth transition.”
His brother agreed and said they both wanted to do this.
“We plan to do everything together and we are really excited,” Alberto Zapata said, regarding the year-long deployment. “We are grateful to be going with this unit. We are ready.”
Staff Sgt. Anthony Reed has been on three previous deployments and feels well-prepared to handle this one.
“All of the training — you have to soak it all up,” Reed explained. “Deployments are hard, its very stressful, but we got to lean on each other.”
He said it is helpful on a long deployment to have the assistance of the Family Readiness Group (FRG) to help while away.
Tammi Miller, is the FRG leader, and is responsible for making sure that the families of the soldiers are taken care of while they are away. She said she has a network of people available to help with a variety of situations.
“Basically, I take care of the families and the unit takes care of the soldiers,” she said.
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