Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, August 2, 1994 TAG: 9408020090
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: HAMPTON LENGTH: Medium
``It's sad,'' Josleyn, a chief warrant officer who is an Army tugboat captain, said of television pictures coming out of Rwanda. ``But I'm in the military and this is what I'm in the military for - and I enjoy what I do.''
The sudden deployment of about 150 members of the 7th Transportation Group from Fort Eustis in Newport News meant some hardships, including a tough personal sacrifice for fellow chief warrant officer Jorge Gonzalez.
Gonzalez, a 19-year Army man who also operates a tug, said he would have to miss his daughter's graduation from officer training at Fort Knox, Ky. She also plans a military career, he said.
``She understands,'' Gonzalez said. ``It's good to help all these people.''
The Fort Eustis troops left Langley Air Force Base for Mombasa, Kenya, an Indian Ocean seaport where food and other humanitarian supplies intended for Rwandan refugees will be unloaded from ships and moved inland by air.
In addition to the tug operators, the soldiers included stevedores, truck drivers and support personnel, many of whom had experience in doing such relief work in Somalia.
``That's the main reason we're going there, to push supplies forward,'' said Sgt. Steven Chapman, a 14-year Army communications specialist who served in Somalia and the Persian Gulf War.
``If we don't spearhead it, then nobody else will even think about going in,'' Chapman said. ``Once we get things and get them moving, hopefully all the dying and suffering, we'll be able to get it under control.''
Some of the soldiers think the United States should steer clear of too great a role in Rwanda, since the country's troubles stem from a civil war, just as Somalia's did.
``I don't think we should get involved,'' said Spec. Julie McCracken, a truck driver who spent four months in Somalia and was not eager to ship out again.
But other troops said they were pleased that Defense Secretary William Perry said Sunday the U.S. role in Rwanda would be humanitarian, not peacekeeping.
Sgt. Edward Whitehead, who was waiting to see two friends off, said he wished he were going because of his experience in Somalia.
``We might not have saved everyone, but at least we gave it a try,'' he said.
The soldiers were told last Tuesday to get ready for a possible deployment, and they got orders Saturday to go.
They do not know how long they will be gone, but the general feeling was about three months.
``They're a country in need of food and medical support,'' said Staff Sgt. Rodney Rhoades, an equipment loader. ``But we need to teach them, at the same time, to take care of themselves. I feel good about what we're doing.''
by CNB