Today there's a certain absence in the Upper Cumberland. Last
Saturday and Sunday several hundred men and women who make up the 2nd
Squadron of the 278th Armored Cavalry regiment headquartered in Cookeville
departed communities like Cookeville, Livingston, Jamestown, Crossville and
Gordonsville bound for Camp Shelby, Mississippi. They, along with others
from the 278th headqquarted in Knoxville, will spend two months in intense
training for their deployment to Iraq. This will be the 2nd deployment to
Iraq for these volunteers. The first was in June 2004 and ran through
October 2005.

The total number of Guardsmen deployed is around 3300. They come
from communities from Mountain City in Upper East Tennessee west to
Henderson. Many families are just today coming to grips with the faact that
husbands, wives, brothers, sisters, neighbors, and co-workers will be gone
from the community for the next year to 18 months. There will be many empty
seats at the dinner table.

They have been preparing for this second deployment for the past 18
months when the order came down in May 2008. Cookeville said "thanks, and
God's speed" to our soldiers on Wednesday evening, December 2. Several
hundred folks, including many families of the Guardsmen, pretty much filled
the main section of the auditorium at Avery Trace Middle School. I saw
families with their children sitting together and young men, women,
boyfriends and girlfriends, fiancees holding hands as they contemplated
heading out in some 72 hours. But I didn't fear or dread on any face. I
did see pride and a sense of determination though. I observed the same in
the faces of those who would be staying behind. I also saw a sense of
devotion on their faces as prayers were lifted on their behalves.

I listened to LtC John Krenson, Commander of the 2nd Squadron, as he
assured the audience that the soldiers were ready to deploy and that they
are part of the greatest fighting force the world has ever known. I heard
him pay tribute to the families who support the soldiers. Folks, we are all
part of these soldiers' families. We may not be blood relatives, but we,
who are "deployed" at home, are part of each soldier's extended family.
What can we do to help? Pray. Pray unceasingly for their safe return.
They will go voluntarily into harm's way. Even if you don't support the
wars, please support our troops.

You can also support the American Legion Post 46 and the Ladies
Auxiliary who are raising funds to bring them home from Mississippi for
Christmas. The Military can't send them home for Christmas leave, and
individually they can't solicit funds. Want to help? Send donations to
Post 46, Post Office 3463, Cookeville, TN, 38502. Or, call 931-544-6464.
Let's bring them home for Christmas.

May God bless America, and may America always bless God!