202nd departs, tears flow

photo by Charmain Z. Brackett Chief Warrant Officer James Allbright tries to console his 5 year-old daughter, Madison, prior to his deployment to Afghanistan with Task Force Deuce on Oct. 15. Six years later, Spc. Josh Sharp and Jeff Woodard’s roles have reversed.

After the war first began in 2003, it was Sharp who said goodbye to his stepdad, who Sharp simply calls “Dad,” and watched as Woodard headed to Iraq with the South Carolina National Guard. On Oct. 15, it was Woodard’s turn to say goodbye and watch Sharp off as Task Force Deuce headed to Afghanistan.

“I’m excited about going,” said Sharp, who has already been deployed to Iraq, and has been at Fort Gordon for about a year, where Woodard works in the military personnel division.

Brig. Gen. Jeffrey Foley, Fort Gordon’s commanding general, was the special guest at the brief ceremony Oct. 15 at the 513th Military Intelligence Brigade’s facilities on Chamberlain Avenue. He emphasized how important their mission was to the departing Soldiers and to the Family and friends gathered.

“What’s at stake in Iraq and Afghanistan today is what was at stake at the beginning of the fighting, to prevent Afghanistan from becoming a safe haven for the bad guys,” he said.

Col. Laurence Mixon, commander of the 513th, likened the group of men and women heading to Afghanistan to another group of Soldiers who braved the frigid winter to cross the Delaware and secure the nation’s freedom two centuries ago.

“You are of the same lineage, of the same bolt of cloth. You have the same unwavering determination,” he said.

After their words of encouragement, the leaders let their Soldiers spend about an hour with Family and friends. Among those giving tearful embraces were Chief Warrant Officer James Allbright and his wife, Andrea, and their 5 year-old daughter, Madison.

This is the second deployment for Allbright. “It doesn’t make it easier,” said Andrea Allbright, as she watched her husband consoling their daughter.