10/31/2008 Audubon bids safe journey to Guard unit
Anna Schleimer (right), a native of Glidden, gave younger sister Katie Carroll a uniformed teddy bear before departing with the 1168th Transportation Company for a mission to Iraq. It’s the second deployment for Schleimer, who also accompanied the unit to Kuwait in 2003-04. (Photos by Butch Heman)
Members of Detachment 2 of the 1168th Transportation Company salute during a performance of the national anthem during Thursday’s sendoff ceremony in the Audubon High School gym.
"I just want to get there, get the job done and get home."
Anna (Carroll) Schleimer, a native of Glidden
"As you depart, I want you to always remember you are not alone. We will always be here for you, and we will always be grateful for your service to the country that we love."
-- Gov. Chet Culver, speaking to the troops
"This is a noble effort to put yourselves on the line for our freedom and for the Iraqi people, who will be promoting freedom for generations to come because of the inspiration that you have provided."
AUDUBON - Ask members of the local National Guard unit about their upcoming deployment for Operation Iraqi Freedom and the answer's invariably the same.
"I think everyone's just ready to get over there, do our job and get home," said Capt. Saralee Sickles, commander for the 65 troops in Detachment 2 of the 1168th Transportation Company.
Matthew Behrens, bearing the unit's guidon during a sendoff ceremony at Audubon High School on Thursday, injected in the role of a subordinate, "I expect to get the mission done, do what we're told and get back home."
Red-eyed from saying goodbye to a herd of relatives and friends in the AHS gymnasium, Anna (Carroll) Schleimer, a native of Glidden, related, "I just want to get there, get the job done and get home."
Focused, all-business answers from everyone wearing fatigues.
That mastery of service will again make all Iowans proud as the 1168th serves in Iraq, Gov. Chet Culver, U.S. Rep. Steve King and National Guard brass told a crowd of several hundred.
The unit, which has several members from the Carroll area, will drive heavy equipment transports to haul equipment, weapons and supplies for American forces in the U.S. Central Command theater of operation. Part of a 310-soldier force from Guard transportation units in five Iowa cities, the troops will spend several weeks training at Fort Bliss, Texas, before traveling to Iraq.
In 2003-04 the 1168th and 1133rd companies were deployed for 14 months for Operation Iraqi Freedom. Based at Kuwait, they hauled water, food, ordnance and supplies throughout Kuwait and made six runs to the Iraqi capital Baghdad. They later provided security at a coalition base in Ku-wait.
This time, Det 2 won't bring its own trucks and trailers. It will use equipment already in the Mideast, according to Sickles.
"We're ready," said Sickles, an Ackley native who resides in Des Moines. "We've known for about six months that we were going, so we've been training, and we'll get even more good training in Texas.
"We're going to be driving wherever they tell us to, carrying whatever they tell us to."
Schleimer, who also deployed in 2003-04, said she was upset about leaving family and friends behind but wasn't too worried about the mission.
And she'll have a very close relative with her in Iraq - her new husband, Jami, a fellow member of Det 2. They met at the Audubon armory and reside at Exira.
"It's going to be tough being away from everyone back home," said Anna, an eight-year veteran of the unit, "but it's a good feeling knowing Jami and I are going to be there to support each other."
Schleimer said she was confident the Audubon soldiers will be ready for their mission. She and several other women in the unit operate the massive heavy equipment transports as well as the men.
The 500-horsepower tractor and 51-foot-long trailer alone weigh about 90,000 pounds and can carry up to 140,000 pounds.
"It's a lot of fun driving one," she admitted, "but it's a lot of work too. They're different from a normal semi tractor-trailer."
Behrens, who's from northwest Iowa and not related to any Carroll-area Behrenses, also went on the deployment five years ago. He was kidding fiancée Jennifer that after this mission he'll have to take some time off before proceeding with their wedding plans.
"I'm thinking it'll take about a year to kind of decompress," he teased, drawing don't-go-there glances from his future wife.
The soldiers marched into the gym through an honor guard of American Legion, VFW, Amvets and Patriot Riders members.
"I'm here with a simple message," Culver, a surprise guest, told the soldiers standing at attention in six ranks before him. "To thank the members of the Guard for your service to our country, to our state, and to join every Iowan in honoring you as you are deployed."
Culver called being commander in chief of the National Guard his greatest privilege.
"Because our service members are Iowa's heroes," he explained, noting that Iowa troops not only serve around the world, they help here at home in times of emergency like during floods and storm cleanup this summer, the largest deployment of Iowa Guard forces since the Civil War.
"You are our hometown heroes. You serve with exceptional bravery and devotion, and now you further show your commitment to our country and our state as you prepare to take part in Operation Iraqi Freedom. People worldwide will benefit from your works, and you have the appreciation of a grateful state and a grateful nation.
"But as you depart, I want you to always remember you are not alone. We will always be here for you, and we will always be grateful for your service to the country that we love."
Culver also used his appearance in Audubon to announce that nearly $1 million raised by the sale of Iowa veterans lottery tickets was being transferred to the state veterans fund, which pays for services such as job training, medical care, housing, benefits for children, education and counseling services.
"So, troops, godspeed," Culver concluded. "We will see you when you get home. You, your families and members of the United States armed forces and the National Guard will always remain in our thoughts and our prayers."
King said he was impressed by Thursday's show of support.
"I wasn't prepared for what I saw when we came over the hill here today at Audubon," he said, referring to the hundreds of vehicles parked outside.
"You come out, Audubon, Audubon County and the surrounding area. You come out to support our military men and women who have sent themselves up as volunteers to defend our freedom and promote freedom around the world. This is a powerful testimony to the best that America has to offer here in the heartland of America."
King said the 1168th has a special place in his heart. He visited troops on the last deployment and vowed to meet them during the upcoming mission, and he said he has a plaque from the unit on his home office wall.
Audubon's sons and daughters are heading for an Iraq that's less dangerous than a few years ago, the congressman related.
"This is a noble effort to put yourselves on the line for our freedom and for the Iraqi people, who will be promoting freedom for generations to come because of the inspiration that you have provided," said King.
He asked the soldiers to remember the words of President Bush, who says liberty isn't America's gift to the world but rather God's gift to humanity.
"You, the proud members of the 1168th, are a gift from this part of the world to that part of the world," said King.
"When the deployment gets long, when the days get long and hot, when the nights get long and dark, remember that the family that loves you is the family that sustains you. And when that day comes that we gather here together and welcome you home, it will truly be a joyous day. And with the loving arms of your family members on your shoulders, that will be an expression from a grateful nation. Thank you all. Godspeed."
Brig. Gen. Mark Zirkelbach, second in command of the Iowa National Guard, spoke of the Guard being the legacy of the minutemen from over 300 years ago.
Today's Guardsmen and women don't deploy alone - their families and U.S. citizens keep the soldiers in their hearts and minds, said Zirkelbach.
"We'll do everything we can to ensure that what's important to these soldiers will be taken care of so that they can focus on the mission at hand," he told the audience.
To the Audubon soldiers, Zirkelbach said, "You take care of one another, respect your leaders, you're well-trained, you're well-lead, and I'm confident because you're Iowa National Guard soldiers that you're going to do just fine.
"I'm proud to be here, I'm proud of what you represent and I'm humbled at what you're doing."
Aides recited letters from Iowa Sens. Chuck Grassley and Tom Harkin. Representatives of the Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs and the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve also participated.
Audubon leaders, relatives and friends gave the unit a long standing ovation at the conclusion of the program.
Sendoff ceremonies were also held Thursday at Perry, Marshalltown, Mason City and Iowa City.
