THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, February 10, 1997 TAG: 9702100079
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B5 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: BLACKSTONE LENGTH: 40 lines
Gov. George Allen presented a state flag Sunday to a 46-man Virginia National Guard detachment that left Fort Pickett to perform peacekeeping duty in Bosnia.
The flag was flown Saturday over the state capitol, and the soldiers and their families were asked to touch it at a farewell ceremony. Allen asked the troops to display the flag overseas as a reminder of their support back home.
The 1st Detachment, 1st Battalion, 246th Field Artillery (Fire Support Element) from Danville left the post shortly after midday for a 14-hour bus ride to Fort Benning, Ga. The unit is to fly to Germany by the end of the week for a two- or three-week training exercise before going to Bosnia.
The soldiers could be deployed for four to nine months.
The troops were notified of the deployment less than three weeks ago, and they've been undergoing training at Fort Pickett since.
``I'm ready to get there, do the job, and come back home,'' said Staff Sgt. Christopher Wiles, a Danville police officer. ``I'm not worried about being over there. I'm more worried about being away from my wife and family.''
``I know he'll take care of himself,'' said a tearful Kristen Wiles, Wiles' wife of seven months. ``He'll be fine.''
Maj. Gen. Carroll Thackston, the guard's adjutant general, had a personal reason for attending the departure. His son, Jonathan, was one of the troops leaving.
``I'm no more concerned for him than the rest,'' Thackston said.
The unit will serve as artillery observers in Bosnia. In case of conflict, its mission would be to direct artillery fire on specific targets. ILLUSTRATION: ASSOCIATED PRESS
Deborah Akers hugs her husband, Chad, during Sunday's deployment
ceremony at Fort Pickett in Blackstone, Va. About 46 members of
Chad Akers' National Guard unit from Danville are preparing to go to
Bosnia on a peacekeeping mission.