1161st Transportation Company Small Town Gives Big Sendoff
Story & Photos by SGT Charles Ames - Posted Sep, 2003
Click Here to Visit Ephrata City Website
All reservists live with the prospect of being called to active duty. Regardless of how prepared a Guardsman may be for the possibility, somehow it always seems unexpected. Every Guardsman has a mother, or is a mother. Any given Guardsman is someone's teacher, or housewife, or boss or employee... we're all policeman, or technician, or electricians. Therefore, the absence of a Guardsman is felt perhaps more widely that the absence of an active duty soldier. But when a National Guard unit lives almost exclusively within one small town, activation can have tremendous impact on those who remain at home. So when the largest call-up of reserve forces since Desert Storm reached into the heartland of Washington and asked for the support of the 130 Guardsmen of the 1161st Transportation Company everyone knew that the loss would be heartfelt.
For decades the local Army National Guard armory has been a place where the community met to attend dances, sporting events, road shows and meetings. This time the community gathers to show support to their brothers and sisters who have agreed to take up liberty’s lantern and go into the unknown. Over 500 family members, well-wishers and press turned out to acknowledge and commemorate the selflessness of the citizen-soldiers. A voice in the crowd was heard to say ‘Ephrata is what America should still be’ - a caring, connected nursery of American freedom.
 |
Ephrata's acting-mayor Wes Crago spoke eloquently and passionately about the impact of such a deployment. “You are soldiers of our republic - volunteers. Your commitment to serve, your devotion to duty, your years of preparation have brought you to this day. A voluntary soldier of the republic is a rare and beautiful thing. You have already willingly submitted yourself to the nation’s welfare. You chose to exercise your freedom by safeguarding ours. And it is appropriate that we honor you here today. Our community - so much richer for your presence - will be lessened as you leave."
COL Chris Hamlin, the commander of the 96th Troop Command, the 1161st's parent organization, speaks highly of the truckers from Ephrata; “I have been affiliated with the 1161st for 25 years. They’ve always been a tremendous group of soldiers, both young and old. I have the utmost faith in their ability, their tenacity, their loyalty, both to their community and their country. They’ll do a wonderful job.”
 |
The Commander of the 1161st, CPT David Linville, echoes his bosses confidence; “I really appreciate the families and the people of Ephrata coming out to wish the unit well. We’re going to be training the next few weeks. It’s going to be important training but I know the company is up to it and I know this deployment will go well and we’ll do the Washington Army National Guard proud, as well as the citizens of Ephrata.”
Though the soldiers are the ones going into the unknown, in the hours before deployment, they comfort family members. Fathers cradle newborns in their arms one last time. Huge families stand silently in the presence of their own hometown hero. Suddenly, the troops climb into their 60 trucks and roll out of town on a yellow ribbon-lined road.
Shortly before their deployment overseas Governor Locke visited Camp Murray, and, together with Major General Lowenberg, personally thanked the departing truckers from Ephrata for their sacrifice.
 |
For all the hoopla brought out today, one thing is clear; the return of this extraordinary unit may well be the largest celebration this little town has ever seen. Clearly the 1161st knows this... and has been earning that parade, serving on the ground in Iraq since early summer of 2003.
 |
 |
|
|