HARD TO SAY GOODBYE
It wasn't easy for Jon Thomas to let his son go to Iraq the first time, but the second time is devastating. "I cried," Thomas said. "He volunteered to do it, but I just hope he comes back OK."
http://www.pjstar.com/stories/060707/TRI_BDECHS1O.006.php
Thursday, June 7, 2007
Thomas's son, Marine Cpl. Robert Thomas, 25, of Peoria will leave his wife and 13-month-old daughter, Emma.
His first tour of duty was from August 2004 to March 2005. The soldier said the hardest part of leaving again will be missing Emma's childhood.
"I'm pretty much numb," he said. "I don't have any feelings right now."
Cpl. Thomas joined 79 other Marine Corps Reservists of Company C, 6th Engineer Support Battalion, on Wednesday afternoon at the Naval & Marine Corps Reserve Training Center in Peoria, while families gathered to ask questions and say long goodbyes. The troops will ship out for training in North Carolina and Tennessee before being sent to Iraq.
As the U.S. involvement in Iraq continues, many servicemen, including members of Charlie Company, return for a second tour of duty - more for some.
"I've been on both ends of it now," said Pfc. Andee Short, a 22-year-old sophomore at Illinois State University and Lacon resident.
Short served her first tour of duty from August 2004 to March 2005 and has mixed feelings about returning.
"It's hard to go," Short said. "But it would be so much harder having my Marines go without me. As Marines we tend to lock up and not show emotion, but leaving family is going to be difficult."
Even though she will miss home, Short said, she is proud of her service.
"I'm really glad I went the first time," she said. "Every day you feel like you're accomplishing something, even the most minor chore. You know you're working towards something bigger."
Maj. David Haney, the unit's commanding officer, said the company primarily will be constructing and clearing obstacles and improving roads.
"A small amount of Marines do this, and they are in very in high demand," Haney said. "It's going to be a challenge, no doubt about that, but we will return with a newfound appreciation for our liberties."
Lance Cpl. Jason Hubrich, 22, of Lacon, whose first tour of duty was from September 2004 to June 2005, was on his way to get married Wednesday evening before leaving.
"She knew when we got together it was always a possibility," Hubrich said of his wife-to-be. "But going makes you appreciate what we have here so much more."
"We leave behind our families and friends and we hate to go," Haney said. "But the support we've gotten from the Peoria community is overwhelming, and I sure do hope it continues."