RSSSelah's Bravo Company prepares for second tour in Iraq
Yakima Herald-Republic
The 181st Brigade's Dave Ammann hugs fellow guard member Cameron Welniak during a troop send off for the Washington National Guard at Wixson Park in Selah Tuesday, August 19, 2008. Ammann will serve his third depoloyment overseas with 2,500 other members of his brigade who are wrapping up their training before deploying to Iraq this fall.
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SELAH -- Fourteen-year-old Tyler Ireton has been through this before. He knows what to do.
"With Dad gone, I'm going to be doing a lot of work around the house," the East Valley High School freshman said. The oldest of four -- with siblings ages 13, 10 and 7 -- he'll also be baby-sitting and helping the younger kids with their homework.
"What other brotherly things are you going to do?" joked his dad, 39-year-old Brian Ireton, slinging an arm around his son's shoulders and grinning.
A staff sergeant with Bravo Company of the Washington Army National Guard's 181st Support Battalion, part of the 81st Brigade, Ireton is gearing up for his second tour in Iraq.
But there are no tears at this table. The remnants of a double cheeseburger on a paper plate, yes. But no tears.
"I think it will be easier this time because we're older," Tyler said. "I also think it'll still be hard."
The Iretons were one of more than 100 families who enjoyed time together during a farewell ceremony and barbecue Tuesday for Bravo Company at Selah's Wixson Park.
The event, organized by the Central Washington Veterans Task Force and supported by numerous community groups, volunteers and local businesses, gave loved ones and supporters a chance to say goodbye and good luck, share hugs and hamburgers, and take a few more photos on their camera phones.
"These are exceptional, exceptional soldiers, exceptional citizens," said Rene Rodriguez, task force chairman. "This is a chance to pay homage to them."
The men and women of the 81st Brigade have spent the last month practicing combat skills at the Yakima Training Center, where Bravo Company is based. In the next few days, they'll be heading to Fort McCoy, Wis., for two months of additional training before deploying to Kuwait, and then Iraq.
Monday, they began their 12-month-long active military duty. More than half of them have already served at least one tour in Iraq.
The 81st was first deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom during 2004 and 2005. Ten soldiers were killed in combat.
"I'm comfortable with going," said 28-year-old Sgt. David Kinlow of Bravo Company, a newlywed and father of a newborn. This is his second tour in Iraq.
"I hate having to leave my family behind," he said. "I just want to hurry up and leave so I can hurry up and come back."
The "citizen soldiers" of Bravo Company will be conducting convoy security in Iraq, said Lt. Col. Alan Dorow, commander of the 181st Support Battalion.
He read a proclamation from the governor at Tuesday's ceremony, then thanked volunteers, veterans, soldiers, their families and community members for their service and support.
"It's really about service for a greater good," he said of the brigade's deployment.
"Freedom is what it's all about," agreed 42-year-old Otto Cruz of Tieton, a staff sergeant with Bravo Company. Like Kinlow, this is his second tour in Iraq.
"This time, it's going to be a little bit riskier mission," said Cruz, a husband and father of two, a high school senior and a sixth-grader. "I'm very thankful the community pulled together" to host Tuesday's event.
The spread included watermelon, hot dogs, potato chips, and chocolate cake decorated with red, white and blue icing.
"I really believe that a lot of support helps soldiers remember why they're over there," Cruz said. "You do pause for a minute and you wonder: Why am I here? All these things are very nice reminders."
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