Family members say goodbye to deploying Soldiers of Company C, 63rd Expeditionary Signal Battalion April 11. The unit was heading to Afghanistan for its first mission there as part of the ongoing support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Photo by Frank Carter About 130 Soldiers assigned to Company C, 63rd Expeditionary Signal Battalion left Fort Gordon April 11 for their first tour of duty in Afghanistan. This is part of an ongoing mission in that country.

According to Company C, 63rd ESB commander, Capt. Johnny Glover, the Soldiers will be responsible for installing, operating and maintaining communications systems in country. “We are trained and ready to go,” said Glover.

The company’s first sergeant echoed the same sentiments. “We are proud and ready to take on the mission, safely deploy and redeploy,” said 1st Sgt. Dwayne Gethers, first sergeant of Company C, 63rd ESB. “We are rock steady.” [This is their company motto.]

First Sgt. Dwayne Gethers, first sergeant of Company C, 63rd Expeditionary Signal Battalion, (left), and Capt. Johnny Glover, commander of Company C, 63rd ESB, encase the unit’s colors during its deployment ceremony held the evening of April 11 at Gym 3. Photo by Bonnie Heater Equipment was already on its way to Afghanistan. Roughly 60 tons have been airlifted.

As Soldiers finished the preparations for the evening’s departure, family and friends gathered at Gym 3 for the Company C, 63rd ESB Deployment Ceremony.

Inside the gym, a table about the width of the room was filled with homemade cookies, brownies and cupcakes which were either donated by the local Sams Club or made by volunteers for the Soldiers and their families and friends to enjoy. Christy Geary, the spouse of Sgt. Kenneth Geary of Company B, 63rd ESB, passed out miniature American flags at the entrance of the gym. [Geary is the Co-Family Readiness Group leader for Company B, ESB].

As the 20-member U.S. Army Signal Corps Band began playing the Rocky movie theme, “Gonna Fly Now” at 9 o’clock that evening, Soldiers of Company C, 63rd ESB proudly marched into the gym, formed up in formation, and the ceremony began.

It was explained that over the past three months the departing Soldiers had aggressively prepared for the deployment to Afghanistan. “They conducted a series of rigorous training events to include: CECOM [United States Army Communications Electronics Command ] router training, technical control facility training, fiber optic splicing training, training exercise, weapons qualification, and Army Warrior Tasks and Battle Drills,” explained narrator, Capt. Anita Nutter, S- 3 [Training and Operations], Headquarters, Headquarters Company, 63rd ESB.

The company’s mission will be to support the 25th Signal Battalion in country. They will be serving in various part of Afghanistan during the year-long deployment.

The 63rd ESB commander, Lt. Col. Robert Edmonson II, spoke briefly and reassured the Soldiers’ friends and family members that they are well trained and have excellence leadership. Then the unit’s colors were encased.

Upon arrival at Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan the commander and first sergeant will uncase the guidon to symbolize the beginning of the company’s deployed mission in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

After the Signal Corps and Army songs were sung Soldiers were released to spend some time with their families. Members of the Patriot Guard Riders, Fort Gordon firefighters [all volunteers from shift A] , Col. Gary Griggs, chief of staff Signal Center of Excellence; Command Sgt. Maj. Angel Ramos, the 35th Signal Brigade’s command sergeant major, and his wife Donna; and Thomas Fitzpatrick, the director of the post’s Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization and Security, and his family also came out to wish the Soldiers well.

In darkness outside of Gym 3 families and friends had a few moments to say goodbye. Before the Soldiers departed the post, Chaplain (Capt.) Brian Minietta, Company C, 63rd ESB chaplain, sent each one off with a parting gift. It was a small, silver shield shaped pendant. On the back was engraved: “Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:96.”