Afghanistan mission kicks off as Trenton unit leaves U.S.

Before the 548th Transportation Company deployment ceremony in Trenton last month, Sgt. 1st Class Kris Schmidt shakes Gov. Jay Nixon's hand while in formation. After the ceremony the unit headed to Fort Bliss, Texas for their final round of training. Schmidt and his unit left the U.S. Tuesday en route to Afghanistan. (Photo by Jennifer Archdekin/Missouri National Guard)

By Jennifer Archdekin
Ngmo.pao@US.ARMY.MIL

FORT BLISS, Texas - Family and friends formally parted ways with the Trenton-based unit on Monday, April 11 at deployment ceremonies in Trenton and Jefferson City. Since that day, the troops trained at Fort Bliss, Texas working towards their final validation before going overseas. For most of March, the Guardsmen conducted pre-deployment training at Camp Clark in Nevada, Mo.

Now the 170 Citizen-Soldiers with the 548th Transportation Company, recently boarded a plane leaving the U.S. for a year-long mission in Afghanistan.

Before they left Texas, Soldiers enjoyed a four-day pass allowing them time to be with Family and friends.

Spc. Adam Ingersoll was able to make it home to Cameron, Mo. to be with his wife, Pamela, and children, Bridgette and Trace. While there, Ingersoll was able to see his 11-year-old son's first little league baseball game.

"That was kind of special," said Ingersoll. "Obviously that's going to be the only one I'm going to see. It was important to him and important to me just to watch him in action."

Every Soldier on the mission will surely miss major life events over the course of the year, such as graduations, weddings, births and holidays. The list is endless.

"Of course you feel bad about leaving the Family and all, but I've been through a deployment so my Family already knows what to expect," said Ingersoll.

Sometimes it is the trivial freedoms Soldiers do without that is missed. Other than Family, Ingersoll said he will most miss the ability to just go and do things -- the little things in life most people take for granted.

"I won't be able to go to Wal-Mart, go to the mall, or just go out to eat somewhere," said Ingersoll.

Kansas City, Mo. firefighter, Sgt. Roosevelt Hampton, tried to work in all he could during his leave so his list could be shortened slightly.

Hampton's daughter, KayLee, turns five later this month, so he and his wife, Cameron, had an early birthday party for her. They even allowed her to miss a few days of school to hang out with Daddy, trying to squeeze in extra quality time.

Unbeknownst to Hampton, his daughter's birthday party also doubled as a surprise going away party for him given by his wife.

"All of my friends and my firefighter crew showed up," said Hampton. "I was totally surprised. I had no clue that she was going to do that."

As much as Hampton loves every chance he has with his Family, he admits that it is also tough to say good-bye yet one more time.

"The first couple of days are great, but then that last day hits and you know you're getting ready to leave again," said Hampton.

The decision troops make to serve in the military is just that -- a decision. Troops choose to serve. Hampton recognizes that his choice isn't always understood by others, nor can some grasp how sacrificing time with his Family is a necessity.

"That is the main reason I do what I do, because I have a Family," said Hampton. "I feel an obligation and a duty to serve my country, as well as my Family, and as well as my God. Nobody wants to leave their Family."

Hampton believes it is his obligation.

"If a Soldier is leaving their Family, they're doing it because they feel called and they feel a duty to do so," said Hampton. "It's not because they love their Family any less, or they want to be away from them, but you got to look at the bigger picture. I feel proud to do what I do."

Concern for Family seems to be a constant theme when talking to Soldiers. It is clearly a priority.

Trenton reserve police officer and training technician at the armory, Staff Sgt. Kris Schmidt, took advantage of the time to be home with his wife, Janice and three children; Lauren, Ashton and Reagan.

"It was a time of Family," said Schmidt. "It went by quick, but it was a good time. That's mainly what I did was spend time with Family."

Obviously thoughts turn to the Citizen-Soldiers as they deploy. Communities, such as Trenton where Schmidt lives, have poured out love and support for the Guardsmen. One thing Schmidt wants to point out is that the Families left behind need to be remembered and looked after, as well.

"Keep us in mind, but also keep the Families in mind because they're kind of deployed to," said Schmidt. "They've lost husbands and wives, as they're gone for a year, so they have to deal with that transition. If anything, think about the Families that are home, too. They are making a sacrifice as well."

All in all, these three men have made it clear their company is ready for the mission that awaits them in Afghanistan.

"The morale now is up there," said Hampton. "We're ready to go and complete our mission. That's why I'm anxious and excited about going over there and putting what we've learned to work."

The unit's cohesiveness is evident. After two months of intense training, these troops have come together making their bond even stronger, though some joined the group only recently and others have served together for years.

"I think at this stage in the game we're all on the same sheet of music," said Schmidt. "We're all one, one unit.

It's apparent these troops are armed with the knowledge they are supported by so many people as they travel to Afghanistan for the mission at hand. That insight is a priceless confidence booster to these Road Warriors.

"I've always thought that's the greatest feeling in the world," said Ingersoll. "You can be a pro-football player and win the Super Bowl and that's great. When you got communities, the state and the nation backing you up, that's got to ultimately be one of the greatest feelings in the world."

For more information about the Missouri National Guard, please visit www.moguard.com and our social media sites: www.facebook.com/Missouri.National.Guard; www.twitter.com/Missouri_NG; www.youtube.com/MoNationalGuard; www.myspace.com/missouri_ng; www.flickr.com/photos/missouriguard

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For more information about this release, please contact Jennifer Archdekin at 816-262-2893 or e-mail at jarchdekin@gmail.com