story by Master Sgt. Gary Glover
"COLD STEEL!"
The rally cry rang out over the Virginia Army National Guard armory grounds in Leesburg for nearly the last time this year on Saturday, September 6, as Company C, 3rd Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment, 29th Infantry Division (Light) prepared for deployment to Bosnia. Addressing the formation, Assistant Division Commander for Support Brig. Gen. H. Steven Blum told the 147 soldiers, "If you can do the mission as good as you look, you'll do fine. Stand tall and proud -- the world is watching you."
The soldiers marched in a parade as part of an official ceremony sponsored by the City of Leesburg and Loudoun County. United States Senator John Warner led a roster of dignitaries who spoke about the importance of the Bosnia mission and how the world would be grateful to "Team Stonewall" and their families. He said missions may have seemed clearer in World War II and Korea than they do now, but that the United States "still and always will be the nation the world looks to for leadership."
Sen. Warner presented company commander Capt. Michael Patterson with a U.S. flag flown over the Capitol in the unit's honor. Other state and local dignitaries presented Capt. Patterson with mementos for the troops to take with them as reminders of home, and expressed gratitude for the sacrifices made by the soldiers and their families.
The Adjutant General of the Virginia National Guard Maj. Gen. Carroll Thackston made the final presentation. He and his wife, Frances Ann Thackston, gave Capt. Patterson's wife Ellen a large yellow ribbon to be displayed outside the armory until Charlie Company returns. Mrs. Patterson, president of the Leesburg Family Support Group, said the group has been in operation since May, setting up "phone trees," planning monthly parties and other morale support activities, "generally assisting our 300 family members in the transition from civilian to military families."
She also said the group is grateful for the community's support while the troops are away. Local citizens are taking part in a "yellow ribbon campaign," visible reminders that their friends and neighbors are overseas. Loudoun County officials also are administering an emergency cash fund available to deployed soldiers' families.
Heather Hawkins, daughter of Spec. Daniel Hawkins, plans to write every month while her father is overseas "to protect the people of Bosnia." Heather's mother Laura says she's also grateful for the support from her husband's employer. "Dan's boss is a Vietnam veteran, so he certainly understands what we're going through."
Since March the Virginia Army National Guard unit has been training for Operations Other Than War -- tasks such as mine clearing, checkpoint operations and cultural awareness. After 45 days of additional training and evaluation at Fort Polk and the Joint Readiness Training Center in Louisiana, Company C will replace an infantry unit from the 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, NY, in the town of Slavonski Brod, Croatia, where they will guard a bridge over the Sava River. Capt. Patterson says Team Stonewall will "defend the bridge against criminal and terrorist attacks."
Even though the unit could be gone for nine months, 1st Sgt. Bennie Dancy said the troops are looking forward to the mission. "Matter of fact, I'm kinda surprised at the high level of morale. I've had no AWOLs or even late soldiers at any of my morning formations."
Chaplain (Capt.) Ed Northrop explained why the troops are so motivated. He said, "Most people will never have an opportunity to do work that's this meaningful. It's very gratifying. Every day we're there, some child gets a chance to grow older."
The spirit of self-sacrifice and human compassion already has surfaced in Leesburg. A bus carrying some Team Stonewall soldiers was delayed briefly by an automobile accident at an intersection near the armory. Rather than march in the parade held in their honor, they chose to stay at the scene and help the authorities and accident victims.