WREX.com – Rockford’s News LeaderDeployment Ceremony for Area Troops

Deployment Ceremony for Area Troops

By Gretchen Ross

SYCAMORE - The Illinois National Guard provides a proper send-off to 50 stateline soldiers.

All belong to 122nd Field Artillery Company. Their mission is to assist with Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.

Hundreds of family and friends, political leaders and community members filled Sycamore High School's field house Sunday afternoon to show their support.  After an emotional sendoff Specialist Michael Schneider says it's time to get to work. Schneider says, "I got out of my training, my basic training in Artillery School in December of 2007.  It's barely just been about six months. I am ready to go. It's not sitting around."

During Schneider's mission overseas he joins 200 soldiers to assist Afghanistan's military.  He says, "I know we will be doing a lot of mentoring and training the national Afghan Army and police. And just providing a security force just like the Lieutenant mentioned. Just providing a security blanket allowing these people to get their freedom."

Even though this task force takes on a new role, Commander Hugh Parry says his men are prepared for the change. Parry says, "Primarily our job is to shoot artillery, steel on steel contact. So we are definitely switching gears. It's a major gear shift but the wonderful thing about artillery men, we are very flexible and adapt and overcome very well."

As Schneider's father Michael hugs his son one last time he says this Father's Day is one he will never forget.  Michael Schneider says, "I'm very proud of him. He's a good boy. He's brave. And yeah I am very proud. And it's hard for father's day to do that."

From here the unit spends the next 40 days training at Fort Bragg in North Carolina.  The group leaves at the end of the month and expects to be in Afghanistan for a year.