Members of the 878th Engineering Battalion of the Georgia Army National Guard left Augusta on Thursday morning, the same day thousands of American troops crossed into Iraq to wage war.
The fact that the unit is shipping out after war started has made it just a little easier to leave home, some service members and their families said.
Before war, many service members did not know exactly what was in store.
Now, the members of the 878th know what they're headed for, said Spc. Derek Ward, of Waynesboro.
It's still difficult to say goodbye, though. Spc. Ward's wife, Danielle, said he had just gotten home in January from active duty.
"It's really hard for me," said Mrs. Ward, who has been married to Spc. Ward for three years. "I don't have a lot but my child."
Spc. Jim Clearwater, of Jenkinsburg, Ga., said the start of the war has made him a little more at ease, too.
"We know enough now so that troops can get down to taking care of business," Spc. Clearwater said. Originally attached to a National Guard unit near Macon, he has been assigned to the 878th for heavy equipment maintenance.
Some, including Spc. Chaundra Reddick of Augusta, weren't quite so ready to go.
"I'm a little bit mad - I'd much rather go to school," she said.
Spc. Reddick said she was to start classes at the University of Georgia in June as a premed major, but those plans have been put on hold.
"But I'm not really nervous," she said. Spc. Reddick said she would be the driver for the battalion commander during her deployment.
Even though the battalion left Augusta for Fort Stewart on Thursday, members of the 878th and their families face another unknown: They may still have to wait a bit longer before going abroad.
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Danielle and Derek Ward spend time together before Spc. Ward leaves. It is the second time in three years Spc. Ward has been called to duty.
ROB CARR/STAFF
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"We don't know when they will leave," said Lt. Col. Ken Baldowski, a spokesman for the Georgia Department of Defense.
"It could be two to four weeks for all we know. It just depends on the needs at the theater (of operation)," he said.
Regardless of when they leave U.S. soil, some soldiers said, they're ready to take part in overseas action.
"It doesn't bother me a whole lot," said Spc. Jeff Courtright, of Thomson. "This is what I've been trained to do."
"We know enough now so that troops can get down to taking care of business." - Spc. Jim Clearwater, on the start of the war
Reach Jeremy Craig at (706) 823-3409 or jeremy.craig@augustachronicle.com.
