Charlie Company heads overseas

When it comes to being deployed overseas during a time of war, it can be something to look forward to or something to fear.

But to members of Charlie Company, 38th Main Support Battalion of the Indiana Army National Guard, many seem ready to do what must be done.

First Sgt. Phil Hardwick of the 519th HHC said about 80 percent of the unit is being deployed to Iraq with the 76th Infantry Brigade. Hardwick, who is originally from Tennessee, came to Seymour in 1990 to work with the maintenance unit, which has been at Freeman Field in Seymour for many years.

But just days before being reorganized and transformed into many different units, they found some would be deployed to Iraq.

“They will be smaller, faster-moving units or brigades,” Hardwick said. “The whole National Guard has gone through transformations.”

A going-away party for the men and women of Charlie Company and their families was held Saturday at Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1925 in Seymour. It was organized by the Men’s Auxiliary and the Ladies Auxiliary of the VFW Post, and the event featured speakers, a dinner and a dance.

VFW Post 1925 Commander Toby Milroy said the members of the Ladies Auxiliary jump-started the idea of “adopting” the Charlie Company unit. While the unit is deployed, cards, letters and care packages will be sent to the troops. The VFW will also be collecting monetary donations, and they will have a drop-off box at the VFW for people to submit items.

Milroy said he’s fortunate to have the work of the auxiliaries.

“They wanted to adopt this unit, and hands down we all said, ‘let’s do this,’” Milroy said. “It’s the love for your country and the love for your countrymen. We’ve got to take care of our own and be proud of what they are doing. These guys will do an honest, good job.”

Some members of the unit have loaded and unloaded ships in Texas and helped with Hurricane Katrina relief efforts, but now they are going overseas.

“They’re getting to go serve overseas and they are proud to,” Hardwick said. “I’m proud of them, and they’ve handled it very well. They’ve always been a resilient bunch, and they pulled through like the soldiers they are. I can’t express how proud I am to know them, but to lead them is an honor.”

Hardwick and Sgt. Steven Campbell were two of the speakers at the going-away party.

Campbell is originally from Seymour and is involved with the 152nd Infantry in Marion. At Edinburgh’s Camp Atterbury, he also trains soldiers who are preparing to go overseas.

In 2004, he helped with hurricane relief on the Gulf Coast and also weather-related relief in the Hoosier state. He later assisted the 138th training regiment at the Scottsburg National Guard, where he trained high school students. He also served active duty in the Army and worked with the Georgia National Guard.

Overseas, from July 2006 to September 2007, he was part of the police transition team, where he trained Iraqi police. He described the situation overseas as “Hell on earth,” as he lost 16 close friends. But, the good that came out of it was the work of the company, he said.

“I think we made huge strides at securing the province of al-Anbar,” Campbell said. “The key was that we stood up and made a police force get out to meet the people and overcome their areas. We stood behind the Iraqi police and gave them a little bit of a push.”

Staff Sgt. James Vandine has been with the Charlie Company for about three years. He joined the Guard in 1981 after serving active duty in the Army from 1971 to 1974. He now lives in Southport, and he has enjoyed every minute with the unit.

“It’s been great and it’s a lot of fun,” he said. “It’s just the camaraderie and the family atmosphere. You never meet a stranger. It’s just one big happy family.”

Sgt. Cindy Barnard, of the Kurtz area, works with the retention office. She’s also a light-wheel vehicle mechanic.

“It gives you an opportunity to find out what their needs are and to meet them,” Barnard said of the retention office, which also involves the soldiers’ families. She likes working for Charlie Company, as she has 14 family members who have served or are currently serving in the unit.

“Never has there been a unit that’s welcomed you more,” she said. “I love it. You just have to love it, and you have to believe in it. There’s nothing that can relate to it in civilian life.”

For Barnard’s cousin, Aaron Barnard, this will be his first time overseas. He’s with the 63B as a light-wheel mechanic. Aaron said he has a little fear, but he added, “You’ve got to do what you’ve got to do. It’s just another day and another job. I like the fact that (the unit) has a friendly atmosphere. The camaraderie seems to transcend normal boundaries.”

After serving four years of active duty, Staff Sgt. Michael Bahn joined Charlie Company in 1992. He is now a platoon sergeant and a master driver trainer. He lives in Columbus and works full-time at Atterbury as a technician. He won’t be deployed with the unit this time, but he’s done his work with the Army and the unit.

“I first went active into the Army as an adventure to get some college money and make my own money,” he said. That’s paid off to get him where he is today.

“Everyone gets along and you always run into everybody and you know everybody,” he said of the unit.

Specialist Tracy Fleetwood of Norman has been in the Guard for seven years. Her first three years were in Seymour, then two years in Bloomington before returning to Seymour.

“I got the call on Sept. 13 to report the 15th to the armory,” Fleetwood, a single mother of three, said. “We knew we were being deployed.”

She credits her parents for making it possible for her to be in the Guard. She will serve with the 63B as a wheeled vehicle mechanic at Camp Anaconda in Iraq, and she will also take care of the specialists and lower enlisted soldiers.

“It’s frightening, but I don’t have an overwhelming fear,” she said of being deployed overseas. “I feel confident and competent in my training. I’m looking forward to going. There is the fear, but three years ago it was an overwhelming fear because there was so much more violence.”

Fleetwood said Hardwick has helped her as well.

“He’s impacted my life more than anyone else,” she said. “That man has my respect. Because of him and his dedication to the lower enlisted troops, he has made the highest amount of impact.”

Sarah Alexander enlisted with the Guard on June 7, 2004, to see if she could make it. She’s now with Charlie Company as an E4 specialist.

“Everybody is a leader, and everybody does what their job title is,” she said of the unit. “You are not just doing it by yourself. (The other men and women of the unit) kind of pull you through it.”

Other speakers at the event were Staff Sgt. Michael Buckner and Wayne Edwards.

Edwards has served as a volunteer chaplain for more than 13 years with the Indiana National Guard Reserve of Shelbyville and the Muscatatuck Urban Training Center in Butlerville.

“Across these years, it’s been a wonderful time and you’ve showed me wonderful kindness,” Edwards said to the unit members.

Buckner is the squad leader of the Salem National Guard unit, and he told the soldiers to stick together.

“If you have not already made lifelong friends, you will,” Buckner said. “There’s nothing better than the soldier standing next to you, supporting you and helping you. Remember the mission first; it will always be first.”

Buckner concluded with encouraging words for the soldiers.

“Don’t let anyone tell you you can’t do nothing,” he said. “This is my third deployment, and I’m proud to say it’s my third deployment.”

How to help

For information or to donate money or needed items, call Peggy Babbs, Ladies Auxiliary treasurer, at 498-0225.

Care package items may be dropped off at the VFW Post 1925, 311 S. Jackson Park Drive, Seymour.