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75th Military Police Detachment (CID) Soldiers on their way to the Middle East

Jun 4, 2009

By Paul Bello

FORT BELVOIR, Va. -- Members of Fort Belvoir's 75th Military Detachment (Criminal Investigation Division) gathered to hug and kiss their loved ones goodbye during a ceremony on the steps of installation headquarters early Wednesday morning.

The group, which consists of 16 Soldiers from the northeast region, is off to Fort Lewis, Wash., for standard training before being split up and sent to U.S. camps in Iraq, Afghanistan and Kuwait.

During their one-year deployment overseas, CID members will relieve other Soldiers and help conduct felony investigations, including investigations into war crimes.

Lt. Col. Renea Yates, Washington CID Battalion commander, referred to the group as "16 American heroes."

"This is a big day. You're starting your journey and you're ready to make us proud," Yates said. "Be prepared for the challenges ahead and don't worry about your families. We'll be taking care of them while you're gone. I wish you all the best and God bless each and every one of you."

CWO3 Joel Fitz, detachment commander, said safety is his top priority while accompanying the group overseas.

"I ensure you that I will do my very best to see that you have a safe return home to your loved ones," Fitz told his fellow Soldiers. "It's an honor to be leading you and I know we'll be achieving great things together."
In a lighter moment, Fitz encouraged family members to "send as many pictures as possible and to not forget about those care packages."
At the ceremony's conclusion, Soldiers embraced their spouses and children for a final goodbye before boarding a bus bound for Dulles Airport at 5:30 a.m. Their flight to Washington was scheduled to depart three hours later.

"I wish them the best and hope they do well," added Washington CID Battalion first sergeant, 1st Sgt. Brian Garon. "They will be just fine."