HAWLEY ? Nearly 50 Pennsylvania National Guard soldiers marched down Church Street in Hawley in a parade to honor those who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The parade also recognized those soon-to-be deployed in the largest mobilization our area has seen in years.
Hundreds of people lined the street, all to show their support.
?It`s important. They have to know that we`re behind them,? said Jeanette Graff of Hawley. ?Any war, any fight and when they`re fighting for your country and giving their lives and their time.?
Many of the soldiers who serve in the Honesdale area are part of more than 500 in the 55th Bridgade deploying from northeastern and central Pennsylvania, the largest number of soldiers from our area heading overseas since Iraq in 2005.
The soldiers will be participating in security force missions in Kuwait.
?For a lot of them, it`s going to be their first time, a lot of our young guys. So it`s going to be a very important deployment for them because they`re going to get their first taste of what it`s like to be away from home, what it`s like to be away from friends and family. So it`s going to be a little harder for them,? said First Sergeant William Von Ahnen with the National Guard.
Leaving is not any easier for those who have deployed before.
?It`s going to be real rough. My first deployment, my wife and I were just engaged. My second deployment, we had just gotten married, and third deployment, we have two girls now. So it`s going to be rough,? said Staff Sergeant Arie Van Kuyk of Kingston.
Many in the community said they stand behind their soldiers.
The parade and block party were organized by the Hawley American Legion?s Ladies Auxiliary as a way to say thanks and good luck.
?So it`s not over, but it`s certainly time to give them thanks, shore them up a little bit. This is a long war,? said Karen Kilgallen with the Ladies Auxiliary.
A fact that Gold Star mother Janet Bowen knows all too well. She lost her son, Staff Sergeant Paul Sweeney in Iraq in 2003. Her youngest son headed to the Middle East just days ago.
?I want Paul remembered, I want all the boys that are going over remembered.? It`s so important that we support all of them. The guys that are leaving now, the guys that come back,? said Janet Bowen of LAkeville. ?I want all of them to come home safely. God bless them all.?
Many of the soldiers will begin their deployments next month and will spend about a year in Kuwait.
Source: http://lackawannacounty.wnep.com/news/news/104601-parade-wayne-county-honored-soldiers
royal rumble results sag awards 2012 kyra sedgwick honor killings mary tyler moore x games pro bowl
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.