Nearly 80 Iowa National Guard soldiers returned home to their families today. While their families welcomed their soldier home, hundreds more are preparing to say their goodbyes. Three hundred Army Reservists headquartered in Des Moines are gearing up for active duty in Iraq. The 103rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command (ESC) will spend the summer in Iraq. The part time soldiers received orders last fall for their year long mission.
The 300 men and women are the logistical planners of the U.S. Army. In Iraq, they will coordinate food, fuel and other supplies for the soldiers on the ground. The 103rd will be in charge of providing support while the U.S. military moves thousands of troops and equipment out of Iraq. "We expect a significant drawdown of forces in Iraq and that includes a significant amount of withdrawal of equipment- along with troops and supplies. It's a big mission they've got ahead of them, but they're prepared for it," say 103rd ESC 1LT Michael Meyer.
SSG Cliff Demaris is deploying on his second mission to Iraq. The Iowa State student serves with the 103rd ESC and so does his wife, Amanda. The couple met during their first deployment in 2005. But for this mission, he's going while she stays home in Iowa.
"I was ready to go and be a benefit to my husband, but at the same time it's hard to be away from family. It's kinda a tug and war situation," says Amanda Demaris. Her husband agrees it would be nice to have her with him, but he's happy she's staying behind. "The unit needs her and it's kinda the protective thing. It's better that she's home," says Cliff Demaris.
A farewell ceremony for the soldiers and their families will be held Sunday, April 25th. The public is invited to the sendoff at Lincoln High School at 10 am.
The 300 men and women are the logistical planners of the U.S. Army. In Iraq, they will coordinate food, fuel and other supplies for the soldiers on the ground. The 103rd will be in charge of providing support while the U.S. military moves thousands of troops and equipment out of Iraq. "We expect a significant drawdown of forces in Iraq and that includes a significant amount of withdrawal of equipment- along with troops and supplies. It's a big mission they've got ahead of them, but they're prepared for it," say 103rd ESC 1LT Michael Meyer.
SSG Cliff Demaris is deploying on his second mission to Iraq. The Iowa State student serves with the 103rd ESC and so does his wife, Amanda. The couple met during their first deployment in 2005. But for this mission, he's going while she stays home in Iowa.
"I was ready to go and be a benefit to my husband, but at the same time it's hard to be away from family. It's kinda a tug and war situation," says Amanda Demaris. Her husband agrees it would be nice to have her with him, but he's happy she's staying behind. "The unit needs her and it's kinda the protective thing. It's better that she's home," says Cliff Demaris.
A farewell ceremony for the soldiers and their families will be held Sunday, April 25th. The public is invited to the sendoff at Lincoln High School at 10 am.
