Local News - October 2003

Emotions high at ceremony

Guard unit shares good-byes

By ALICE SMITH, Staff Writer

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Andrew and Crystal Sopala starting dating right out of high school.

On Sept. 10, they finally married after being together for eight years.

Monday morning, they stood in front of the Citizens Center with hundreds of other National Guard families.

Their arms wrapped around each other, they smiled and kissed. It was one of their last days together before Andrew would be leaving as support for Operation Iraqi Freedom.

“I’m nervous,” Crystal said. “We’ve never been away from each other this long before.”

After less than one month of marriage, they are facing a long separation.

They laughed and held each other, chatting with family and other soldiers.

“I’m just happy to be married,” Andrew said.

Emotions were heightened Monday during the C-Battery 1-113th Field Artillery’s mobilization ceremony.

The unit, composed of soldiers from Lincolnton and Statesville, will be deploying as part of the N.C. Guard’s 30th Heavy Separate Brigade, which is mobilizing in its entirety. This marks the largest mobilization of N.C. National Guard soldiers since World War II.

About 500 people turned out for Monday’s ceremony.

Members of C-Battery marched into the Citizens Center to music by the 440th Army Band. They looked straight ahead and held their shoulders back.

Audience members were on their feet, clapping, cheering, whistling. Cameras flashed.

“My heart swells with pride as I see the troops march in here,” said Jerry Cochrane, chairman of the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners.

Cochrane was one of several speakers at the ceremony.

Cochrane, a retired member of the International Guard, spoke of his experiences and offered soldiers advice.

Taking part in such an operation is a time to learn about leadership and trust, he said.

“You’re going to forge bonds of friendship while you’re gone that will last you the rest of your life,” he said.

1st Lt. David Walker, commander of the C-Battery, is confident in his troops’ abilities.

“We’re ready and motivated to perform the duties that await us,” he said.

“I fully expect that the Charlie Battery will lead the way and set the standards for others to follow. We are very proud to serve our county and support our president in this war against local terrorism.”

After the ceremony, families and guardsmen milled around the Citizens Center sharing good-byes.

Otilia Campos is seeing her brother leave for the first time.

“I’m kind of scared,” Campos said. “I’ve never been without him.”

Staying united and strong as a family will be the key to getting through the trying time, she said.

“We’re all just kind of sticking together,” she said. “It’s hard, but I know we’re going to pull through, and so is he.”

Tony and Kim Wilbanks are expecting their third child in December.

Kim said her family will be her strength while Tony is away. Tyler, 3, and Preston, 1, stayed close to their father Monday morning.

“I sat down with them and let them know that Daddy’s going to be away for a while,” Tony said. He doesn’t know if they understand.

He’s hoping to be able to come home for the birth of their baby, since the unit will probably still be in training at Ft. Bragg.

Tony knows the long separation will be hard on his family and him, but like all soldiers, he’s ready for the challenges that lie ahead.

“It’s going to be rough, but I’m also proud to be doing what I’m doing,” he said.

© 2001 Lincoln Times-News  

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