1230th Transporation Begins 2-month
Mobilization Training At Camp Atterbury

Story and photo by Pfc. Adam Dean
Georgia National Guard
Public Affairs Office

Soldiers from the Georgia Army Guard's 1230th Transportation Company salute during the national anthem at a send-off ceremony held at Centennial Field, April. 9, 2007.

BAINBRIDGE, April 9, 2007 - Soldiers from the Georgia National Guard's 1230th Transportation Company shared tears and embraces for a few final moments with family and friends at Centennial Field before boarding four busses bound for Camp Atterbury, Ind., where the unit will conduct 60 days of mobilization training before they head to Camp Arifjon, Kuwait, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

The morning ceremony honoring the service of the 189 Soldiers taking part in the unit's deployment included remarks from state and local dignitaries. Representative Sanford Bishop, representing Georgia's 2nd Congressional District, reminded attendees that "freedom isn't free," and applauded the men and women of the 1230th for "leaving the comforts of home and the security of family to pay that price and answer the call of duty. "You show us what patriotism really is," he said. "History will remember your service."

Georgia's adjutant general, Lt. Gen. David B. Poythress, also commented on the legacy that this deployment will leave. "This is a historic day in the life of this organization. This is the second time that this organization has stepped up and answered the call to protect, uphold, and defend the Constitution of the United States of America, which is the oath the every person in uniform takes," said Poythress.

In 2003, the 1230th began their first active tour in support of the war, which lasted the better part of two-years, according to Capt. Joshua Emerson, the unit's commander. During that time, they provided security for active and reserve installations throughout the state of Georgia. "This time, our Soldiers will move into Arifjon where they'll be driving trucks and running supplies and personnel in and out of Kuwait and Iraq in support of Coalition and Iraqi forces," he explained.

Lieutenant Col. Carl White comforted the Guardsmen and their families with words of empathy and assurance. "This is, no doubt, a day of mixed emotions; sadness, uncertainty, reservation and anticipation. But you know we have trained for such a time as this; a time when we as Citizen-Soldiers are called upon to defend this great nation," he said. "You are trained to perform the mission, and I am confident that you will be highly successful in the accomplishment of that mission.

Mayor Mark Harrell of Bainbridge spoke on behalf of the citizens of that city, expressing gratitude and admiration. "Thank you for defending our way of life back here at home. We look forward to your safe return," he said.

Students from Bainbridge's Potter Street Elementary School presented the 1230th with an American flag made of red, white and blue paper outline cutouts of the children's hands. Kaye Forbes, a teacher from the school said that the flag was a symbol of the students' desire to join hands in support of the troops.