Apr 10, 2007 8:01 pm US/Central
Emotional Day For Deployed St. Paul Guard Unit
by Sue Turner
(WCCO)
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A ceremony was held in St. Paul for the 287 soldiers who are being sent to Iraq on a one year mission to fly Black Hawk helicopters.
CBS
It was an emotional send-off Tuesday afternoon for nearly 300 members of the Minnesota National Guard who will join the battle in Iraq.
"A little bit apprehensive, being away from the family is the toughest part, but we're trained up and we have a mission to do," said 1st Lt. John Penshorn.
A ceremony was held in St. Paul for the 287 soldiers who are being sent to Iraq on a one year mission to fly Black Hawk helicopters.
They'll spend four to six months training in Oklahoma before they go overseas.
If you knew someone you loved was going off to war, what would the months leading up to their deployment be like?
"It's been OK up until this last week when the reality is starting to hit," said Amy Penshorn, who has a husband being deployed.
She will have her hands full as her husband John leaves for a year and a half.
"This is Luke, he's 3-months-old and then we have another son who's 15-months-old," said Amy Penshorn.
All the soldiers are ready and everyone, including Lt. Penshorn, has a positive attitude.
"Technology is really a benefit to soldiers these days. I'll have a web camera that I can use with a laptop so I'm going to try and stay in touch and be part of their lives as much as I can," said Lt. Penshorn.
"Our best wishes for a successful and safe mission," said Gov. Tim Pawlenty as he handed the Minnesota flag to Lt. Col. Gregory Thingvold, the deploying commander.
With the Minnesota flag in hand, the soldiers know their service is important.
"A little bit nervous of the unknown -- of what's to be expected. But I'm excited to go it's a great opportunity of a lifetime," said Specialist Katherine Tykwinski, who is also being deployed.
Their families know it's necessary too.
"We're very proud of her for making this choice and we're supportive in the sense that we're there for what her passion is and this is what she's wanted to do is serve her country," said Chris Tollefson, Tykwinski's mother.
The unit mission will be combat and combat support flights. They will be working with other soldiers from Alaska, Hawaii and Washington State.
If all goes as planned, the soldiers would return in September or October of 2008.
They are hoping for a week off between their training in Oklahoma and leaving for Iraq. Soldiers are also expecting to get two weeks to come home about half way through their deployment.
(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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