By Ashley McLeod, Staff Writer
Sep 9, 2014, 16:20
FORT LEE — Forty-four soldiers from the 111th Quartermaster Company at Fort Lee said goodbye to family, friends, and loved ones on Friday afternoon as they prepared to leave for a six-month deployment in Afghanistan and Kuwait.
The ceremony was held at Fort Lee, in an auditorium filled with family, friends and other soldiers. The company is the younger of the only two active mortuary affairs units in the Army and follows the creed of dignity, reverence and respect.
Before the beginning of the formal ceremony, soldiers were allowed time outside the auditorium to spend a few moments with loved ones. Those moments were filled with hugs as well as tears.
“This time it’s going to be a lot harder,” said Alexandra Rau, whose husband Jacob would be leaving on his second deployment.
“Our son is older, and he actually understands what’s going on now,” said Rau.
Jacob Rau said that as long as there was Internet available, it would make the deployment a lot easier. This enables the family to face time or Skype each other while he is away.
The soldiers marched into the auditorium between lines of the Patriot Guard, an organization founded to honor soldiers during deployment and redeployment ceremonies, as well as funerals.
Lt. Col. David Vandevander, battalion commander of the 82nd Special Troops spoke to the families during the ceremony, thanking them for all of their patience, love, and support for their soldiers.
“To all the family members: Indeed you do play a vital role in keeping the Army strong. Your sacrifices are not lost on us,” said Vandevander.
Jacob Eckberg was another soldier who was leaving a family behind for this deployment. Eckberg spent time following the ceremony cherishing a few moments holding his 2-month-old daughter, Madison.
“It’s a lot harder this time, because I know I’m going to miss a lot with her,” said Eckberg, who is also on his second deployment.
“It’ll be a little harder,” said Eckberg’s wife, Brittany. “Last time it was just me and my dog. Now with her, I feel mostly upset because he will miss so much.”
The soldiers will spend the six months overseas with the mortuary affairs unit in support of Operations New Dawn and Enduring Freedom. The mortuary affairs unit is responsible for search and recovery operations, transportation of remains and personal effects, and keeping records of fallen soldiers.
