36th Infantry Division deploys to Balkans
By Sgt, Matthew Chlosta
November 28, 2005
WACO, Texas (Army News Service, Nov. 28, 2005) — A day after Thanksgiving, more than 1,500 Soldiers bound for a 14-month deployment to Kosovo and Bosnia were honored in a ceremony Nov. 25 at Baylor University’s Ferrell Center.
A circular sea of green seats was filled by excited and emotional family members and friends at Baylor’s indoor arena in Waco, Texas. They were there to say goodbye to their Soldiers one last time before they departed for the Balkans.
It was the first time 36th Infantry Division Soldiers were deploying to Europe since World War II.
During the ceremony, guest speaker Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas) told the crowd she felt bonded to the Texas National Guard
“I am so proud to be here today,” Hutchison said. “I know that Task Force Falcon will be a great success.”
‘Boots on ground spread freedom’
Hutchison said she made a trip to Bosnia five years ago to visit other Texas National Guard troops.
“Your mission is so important,” Hutchison told the 36th ID Soldiers. “You will be showing the people in Bosnia, the people of Kosovo (and) the people of the world, what American Soldiers are. Many people from other countries hear about the work that American troops do around the world. But, you will be showing what America is.”
Keeping the peace in Kosovo is important, she said.
“We will never be able to fight and win the hearts and minds of the people of the world unless we have boots on the ground and that is why our Army and our Guard is so important,” Hutchison said. “There is only one way to secure the peace. You do it with boots on the ground. You spread freedom with boots on the ground.”
Training at Hood began in July
The Soldiers have been training at North Fort Hood, Texas since July 11 to take part in NATO’s peace-keeping operations in Eastern Europe.
Hutchison thanked the Soldiers for their sacrifice as they will be leaving their families for more than a year.
“You are so important to our country,” Hutchison said. “By spreading freedom to others, you are making our freedom more secure. Thank you for being willing to serve our country. We can do no less than stand for freedom. You are the face of America. We thank you.”
Maj. Gen. Michael Taylor, commanding general, 36th Inf. Div., also spoke to the troops.
After the singing of the Army song and the colors were retired, the Soldiers spilled out onto the grassy hills that surrounded the venue. There they said their final goodbyes to friends, families and loved ones.
“It’s a good chance for the family to see their Soldier off,” Sgt. Darren Warren, Task Force Dragoon, 36th Inf. Div., said before the ceremony.
“My family has been very supportive,” Warren said. “They’re glad I’m going there instead of other hotspots.”
Final goodbyes bring tears
As the white “Bluebird” buses stood at the ready to whisk the Soldiers away, there were many final hugs and tears.
There were dads, wives, sons, daughters, friends and relatives.
They all seemed to not want to let go.
“It’s hard,” Lauren Saldanas, 12, said about watching her father, Sgt. Hector Saldana, TF Alamo, leave for deployment.
Saldana’s pregnant wife and Lauren’s mother Debbie Saldanas choked back tears as she echoed her daughter’s sentiments.
She said, “It’s hard for him and for us. We’re very proud of him. (I’ll) miss his help at home (the most). He’s a wonderful dad.”
Saladana’s baby is due Jan. 26.
Soldiers from 14 states in TF Falcon
Soldiers of the Texas National Guard's 36th Infantry Division are being joined in the deployment by troops joined by Soldiers from Puerto Rico and the states of Arkansas, Alabama, California, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.
The majority of the Soldiers have been training together as Task Force Falcon. Once in Kosovo, TF Falcon will be joined by a battalion of Greek Soldiers and a battalion of Polish, Ukrainian and Lithuanian Soldiers. This combined force will be known as Multi-National Brigade(East). MNB(E) will be commanded by Brig. Gen. Darren Owens of the 36th Infantry Division, Texas National Guard.
The other part of the Balkans mission includes 150 Soldiers bound for Bosnia. Once in Bosnia, they will work with Soldiers from other nations to maintain the peace.
(Editor’s note: Sgt. Matthew Chlosta serves with the 4th Public Affairs Detachment.)
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