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A fitting tribute
Story and photos by Spc. William E.
Henry, Indiana Army National Guard
Indiana hasn’t seen a
deployment of this magnitude since World War II - nor has it
celebrated with such unity of purpose.
The ceremony for Indiana Army
National Guard Soldiers at the RCA Dome in
Indianapolis
on January 2 yielded many tributes, much praise, and even more
moments of exquisite tenderness.
The
departure ceremony was dedicated to the approximately 3,400 76th
Infantry Brigade Combat Team Soldiers heading to
Fort Stewart, Ga.,
for final training before heading off to support Operation Iraqi
Freedom.
More
than 15,000 friends and family members filled the stands of the east
end of the Dome to bid farewell to the Soldiers. Emotions ran high,
fueled by these families being pulled apart by the beckoning duty of
their loved ones.
The
afternoon was full, with many notable speakers and musical
performances by solo artist Ali Rader and the 38th Infantry Division
Band, classical and rock.
Rev2.jpg) |
| The family of Capt. Lisa Kopczynski looks
on with love and pride as their mother sings during the
departure ceremony for the 76th IBCT on January 2. Capt.
Kopczynski is deploying with the brigade. Photo by Spc.
William Henry, Indiana National Guard |
Two
songs were performed by the Division rock band, Rapid Fire,
featuring Sgt. Paul Foster and Capt. Lisa Kopczynski leading in
vocal harmonies. Music and lyrics for both, “Nighthawk” and “When I
Chose to Be a Soldier,” were written by Staff Sgt. Les Newport in
honor of the 76th Brigade. Kopczynski and
Newport
are both Soldiers deploying with the Brigade.
The
newly elected mayor of
Indianapolis, Greg Ballard, was the first
speaker of the day, expressing his pride in the military and the
respect he had for each and every Soldier deploying.
As a
former Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel, Ballard is no stranger to
military life and challenges. He spoke of his deployment to the
Middle East seventeen years ago, about having to leave
his family to go to war. “I was in the very same spot you all are in
now,” he said. Ballard
concluded saying, “You truly represent the best of America.”
Congressional figures from six
Indiana
districts also came to show their support in all that the Soldiers
were doing for the War on Terror.
U.S.
Representatives Joe Donnelly, Brad Ellsworth, Mark Souder, Mike
Pence, Steve Buyer and Dan Burton all spoke.
Donnelly
spoke of the bravery of the Soldiers making the sacrifice, “You have
stepped up when others have stepped aside.”
Indianapolis Colts president, Bill Polian, expressed words of hope
and support for the troops and the unity of
America. “Whether we’re Bears or
Browns or Colts or Steelers, we’re all Americans.”
He said that the ceremony was the
most important event in the history of the Dome. “The thanks go to
all who sacrifice. We owe you a debt we can never repay.”
The Indianapolis Colts
donated specially designed T-shirts for each of the deploying
Soldiers to take with them, symbolizing the support that the Colts
have for the service members.
The
commander of the 76th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Col. Courtney
Carr, said he was ready for the job at hand and would do his best to
guide the troops under his command.
Carr recalled making
breakfast for his son and wife that morning before the ceremony,
curbing his emotions, he said he knew the normal routine would be
more stressed and a little less bearable.
Carr
spoke of the extensive training the Soldiers had undergone and are
still undergoing. “Well-trained units suffer less casualties. It’s
that collective training that hones our skills.”
Indiana
National Guard Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. R. Martin Umbarger,
talked about the citizen Soldier and what it means to be someone who
serves their community, state and country with honor. “Don’t forget
about your militia heritage,” he urged.
Maj.
Gen. Umbarger also defined the citizen Soldier. “A citizen Soldier
is a Soldier some of the time, a citizen most of the time and a
patriot for all time.”
Indiana
Sen. Richard Lugar provided thought-provoking insight, stating that
others in Washington were intrigued by the support that citizens of
Indiana have
for their troops in some of the worst times during the war.
Indiana’s Governor, Mitch
Daniels, addressed the crowd with words of overwhelming support for
the Soldiers. Daniels talked about programs in place to help
Soldiers’ families in time of need, particularly the National Guard
Relief Fund, which has gained over $2.5 million through sales of
special license plates which state, “In God We Trust”.
Daniels
showed his trust in Carr, giving him his blessing to lead the troops
into battle. Daniels backed it by stating, “I know you well and I
know your work,” adding his trust that Carr would take care of the
troops and help to bring them home safe.
As
Daniels presented state flags and a governor’s coin to the
commanders of each unit, accompanied by Maj. Gen. Umbarger and Col.
Carr, the names of the cities in which deploying units are located
were read.
People stood in the stands, cheered and applauded
for the heroes in their hometowns. Personal sentiments were
overwhelming, a striking combination of fierce pride and poignancy.
This was the last time most of the friends and family members would
see their Soldiers before their boots hit the ground in the
Middle East.
At the end of the ceremony the crowd gave a
deafening, “Hooah!” to the Soldiers as they filed out of their
seats, walked behind the curtain, and gave their last waves of
farewell to loved ones in the stands.
Caption for thumbnail photo on home page:
The family of Capt. Lisa Kopczynski looks on with love and pride as
their mother sings during the departure ceremony for the 76th IBCT
on January 2. Capt. Kopczynski is deploying with the brigade.
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