Hugs and tears as Guard pulls out

Shelbyville's Sloane Norton, left, and Kirby Bannister share a tender moment before Bannister's departure to National Guard training camp in Mississippi. (T-G Photo by Mary Reeves) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

They came in all sizes, shapes, sexes and races. Grandfathers and new fathers, recent high school graduates nervously awaiting their first tour in Iraq and toughened veterans going back for the second or third time. What they had in common were their National Guard uniforms, their families' support, and their desire to serve their country and make a difference.

"He's going to the desert," said little Cara Mayes, daughter of Richard Mayes. "He's going to save kids."

Cara, her mother, sister and brother were only a few of the dozens of friends and family who stood in the biting cold Monday morning at the National Guard Armory to bid farewell to the 278th Armored Cavalry. The troops were brought home by a chartered bus last week, paid for by the Bedford County Commission so the local guardsmen could spend the holidays with their families this year. Monday, they got back on the bus and headed back to Camp Shelby, where they will train for another month before heading to Iraq.

Charity Eady of Unionville looks at the special wedding ring she gave her husband, Sgt. Ryan Eady, for Christmas. The black ring is safer than gold, which can sparkle in the desert sun. (T-G Photo by Mary Reeves) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

Heartfelt holidays

"We're just trying to stay strong," said Charity Eady of Unionville, there to say goodbye to her husband, Sgt. Ryan Eady. "It's hard."

She said having him home -- and knowing where he was going -- made Christmas more meaningful for them.

"I gave him a new wedding ring," she said. "And a video camera."

The ring is non-reflective black titanium, safer than a flash of glittering gold that might catch the eye of an enemy sniper. The sergeant may not be allowed to send videos home over the internet, but he will be allowed to send messages.

"I got her a Blackberry so I can e-mail her every day," he said.

It's Eady's second trip to Iraq, but only the first since they married and he joined her instant family, including her sons, Darian, 11, Kobe, 7, and Maki, 4.

"We're proud of him," said Darian.

Greater calling

Nathan May of Franklin didn't have a wife or kids to see him off -- but his father, the Rev. Neal May, came all the way from Cleveland, Ohio, to do the honors.

"He drove up to spend Christmas with us, then I came down here to see him off," he said.

May joined in January. At the age of 32, he's older than most new recruits and he knows what he's getting into.

"It was great that people were able to bring us home and I was able to visit with my friends and family and spend time with them," he said. "But I knew when I signed up what was going to happen. I was able to fill the void and do something good in my life."

"What greater calling than God and country?" asked his father.

Holding his 3-month-old daughter, Aubrey, Dusty West of Lewisburg looks out at the bus that will soon take him and other members of the 278th Armored Cavalry to Mississippi -- the last stop before deployment to Iraq. (T-G Photo by Mary Reeves) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

As both a father and a minister, he is worried about his son heading into a war zone -- and all the other sons and daughters as well.

"We pray," he said. "Our partners in the church pray for him. Not just for him, but for all of them. We are concerned they are going, but we have deeper concerns if nobody goes."

Bolstered by faith

"It doesn't get easier," said Valerie McConnell of Shelbyville, holding her granddaughter, Kirstin, and waving at her husband, Kirstin's "Poppy," Sgt. Rick McConnell. "This is his second time over there. It doesn't get easier, but we've placed our faith in God and it's going to be fine."

Jerry Bradford of Petersburg pulled his son, John, aside before the soldiers boarded the bus and gave him a small, leather-bound book. Behind them, John's wife, Tiffany, and his mother, Barbara, were making packets of snack food for the travelers. Stepdaughters Isabella and Katherine Russo were handing out notes Isabella had written each soldier.

"I got bored one day and Mom told me to make cards for the troops, so I did," said Isabella. One read "I'm a number one Army fan!'

The book father gave son was a New Testament, well-worn with notes written on the fly leaf and in the margins.

"It has sentimental value," said Jerry, who is also his son's pastor. "We're expecting him to bring it back."

Jerry also served in the Guard when he was younger and unconsciously stiffened to attention as the soldiers headed out.

"We pass the flag down to these youngsters and they take up where we left off," he said quietly.