Schofield bids farewell to Iraq-bound troops
By Karen Blakeman
Advertiser Staff Writer
Rebecca Breyer • The Honolulu Advertiser
The soldiers of the 25th Infantry Division (Light) stretched from one end of the parade field at Schofield Barracks to the other yesterday, their desert camouflage uniforms stiff with newness under 8-pound flak vests.
Staff Sgt. Richard Aquino stands in formation during the Operation Iraqi Freedom deployment ceremony at Schofield Barracks.
Their families packed the reviewing stands and stood along the perimeter of Sills Field, making videos and snapping pictures as a military band played. It was time for Schofield and Hawai'i to say their formal goodbyes to nearly 5,000 men and women who will deploy to Iraq. They will be leaving over the next two weeks with a stopover in Kuwait.
Another group of Schofield troops, more than 3,500, will go to Afghanistan in March.
Spc. David Steffes, a 24-year-old soldier from Colorado Springs who will be going to northern Iraq, said morale among those soldiers who are leaving has improved steadily as deployment nears.
"This is our job," he said. "We're getting to do what we've been trained to do all these years, instead of watching it on TV."
"We're proud to do our part," said Col. Lloyd "Milo" Miles, who will lead the 2nd Brigade Combat Team. "We're prepared. It's our turn."
Rebecca Breyer • The Honolulu Advertiser
Readiness and training, along with the historical implications of the largest deployment out of Schofield since the Vietnam War, were the themes explored by Maj. Gen. Eric T. Olson, commander of the 25th Infantry Division (Light), as he addressed the soldiers on the parade field.
Lt. Col. Jeff Eckstein of 'Aiea kisses his wife, Adrienne, at the Schofield Barracks deployment ceremony.
"You've benefited from the lessons learned by our comrades in arms who have gone before us," he said. "As a result you are extremely well prepared.
"Remember that while in Iraq, your performance must be and will be of the highest standards," he said.
He called on them to hold to the warrior's creed, remembering to always place the mission first, never accept defeat and never leave a fallen comrade behind.
Their actions, he said, would become chapters in the stories of the division, the Army and the nation.
"Your business now is in Iraq," he told the soldiers. "You are ready, so go."
Rebecca Breyer • The Honolulu Advertiser
He assured the husbands, wives and children of the soldiers that their loved ones were prepared for anything they would confront, and pledged his support to the soldiers' families during the deployment.
Trish Tyrcha holds her granddaughter, Madeline Ervin, 2, during the formal farewell ceremony to Schofield troops. Madeline's father, Pfc. Carl Ervin, will be deployed to Iraq.
Gov. Linda Lingle also pledged support to troops and families.
The potential economic impact of the deployments —expected to shrink the population of Schofield to about 3,000 soldiers — has been explored in news accounts, she said, "but those things will take care of themselves."
"Our focus is on your husbands and wives and fathers and mothers as they prepare for this deployment."
She said she would ask the people of the state to pray for the men and women who were leaving Hawai'i to go to the most dangerous spots in the world.
George Vickers, president of the Hawaii Chapter of the Association of the United States Army (AUSA), said he would ask social groups and business associations to sign on to an Adopt-a-Platoon program that would allow civilians to send needed items to soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Paula Lundy, whose husband, Lt. Col. Michael Lundy will deploy with the 1st Battalion, 25th Aviation Regiment, said the families of the soldiers will support each other while their spouses are gone, and keep in touch with their loved ones through e-mail.
Organizations that wish to adopt a platoon of Schofield soldiers may contact George Vickers at vickersg001@hawaii.rr.com or at 625-0177.
"There will be good days and there will be bad days," she said. "You just have to keep on going with the schedule of life."
Adopt platoon
Pfc. Katie MacQueen-Tarr of New Jersey closed a cell phone she had been holding up and wiped tears from her eyes as the ceremony ended.
Her father, also a soldier, had been on the other end of the phone, she said. He had been trying to catch a military flight to Hawai'i so he could witness the ceremony, but was unable to get a seat.
"He told me to take good care of his Army," she said. "I know we are going to do a good job."
Reach Karen Blakeman at 535-2430 or kblakeman@honoluluadvertiser.com.
• • •
Rebecca Breyer • The Honolulu Advertiser
Lt. Col. Mike Webb sits with his son, Michael, 8, during the Operation Iraqi Freedom deployment ceremony at the Schofield Barracks parade field. Webb expects to be deployed to Afghanistan in March.
Rebecca Breyer • The Honolulu Advertiser
Jacob Hill, 5, cheers along with a group of well-wishers in a farewell ceremony to Schofield troops ready to be deployed to Iraq within the next few weeks.
Rebecca Breyer • The Honolulu Advertiser
Maj.Corina Hausherr-Smith, her husband, Lt. Col. Derek Smith, and their daughter, Daniella, 2, watch the deployment ceremony at Schofield Barracks. Lt. Col. Smith is among Schofield troops being deployed to Afghanistan in March.
Correction: Col. Lloyd "Milo" Miles' rank was incorrect in a previous version of this story.
