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March 19, 2003
Local residents say ‘thank you’ as National Guard troops depart
By LYNN BULMAHN | News-Journal Staff Writer
DELAND — Soldiers of the Florida Army National Guard, 265th air defense artillery unit Battalion B, based in DeLand, spent their St. Patrick's Day at the local armory, preparing to leave for war.
Several soldiers joked that at least they were wearing green – camouflage green military uniforms – for the occasion. Others said they were so busy, they'd forgotten about the holiday.
A send-off event took place Monday after a catered corned beef and cabbage meal. County Councilman Dwight Lewis and DeLand Mayor Bob Apgar were among dignitaries who paid tribute to the citizen soldiers.
"I want to say thank you, thank you, thank you to the loved ones and parents who are allowing these fine soldiers to go defend the freedoms of our country," said Lewis, District 1 county councilman. "I'm proud you (soldiers) are in my community and I look forward to seeing you when you get back home. Godspeed!"
"The highest form of public service anyone can give is service to our nation," Apgar said. "That's what you all are doing for us."
The local guard, a group of all men, ages 18 to 54, are part of the entire battalion's 400 troops who are being deployed, said Cpl. Robert Vona, public information officer. The soldiers are trained to provide short-range air defense against attacks.
"We are flying out to Fort Bliss, Texas, for training, and from there to another mission even we don't know," said Capt. Terrance Buckhalter, the unit commander. He said all but four of the soliders in his unit are civilians with full-time jobs elsewhere. They come from all over North Central Florida.
In an interview, Buckhalter said the troops are leaving with "high spirits" and that the troops did an "outstanding job" in taking inventory and preparing for departure.
The National Guard has assigned Staff Sgt. Pete J. Otero, the recruiting and retention officer, to be in charge of family support during the deployment. He will remain in DeLand.
Richard T. Rentz, a colonel who retired in 1995, and Larry Calkins, a retired sergeant major, will also help in supporting families.
"I am very pleased and very happy about the support from our community," Buckhalter said. "It was outstanding. It was far more than what we ever could have expected – or would have expected, had we asked for it."