CAMP BUCCA, IRAQ – Since it’s the inception of the National Guard, Army and Air, there have been fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, grandparents and grandchildren who have, and continue to, their communities, their states and their nation together. Some serve in different units while others, like Staff Sgt. Leslie Blasini and his son Sgt. Antonio Blasini, both of whom are deployed here with Augusta’s 278th Military Police Company, serve side-by-side in the same unit.

The unit, home stationed at Fort Gordon, is the newest edition to Decatur’s 170th MP Battalion. It’s been at this Southern Iraq detention facility near Umm Qasr watching over detainees since March 2008. First Sgt. Callie Leaver, the unit’s senior enlisted Soldier said the 278th is expected to return in early January 2009.

"Next to privilege of being in this uniform, serving my state and my country, the greatest honor for me is standing for what’s right along side my son," the elder Blasini said. "What father could ask for more?"

As is the case for many family members who serve together, the Blasini’s tradition of patriotism and self-sacrifice began long before they became Guardsmen.

Leslie served honorably for 14 years as a U.S. Marine. At the age of 18, Antonio joined the Corps to follow in his father’s footsteps.

"Dad really inspired me," the younger Blasini said. "Seeing him that uniform, and experiencing him as a Marine filled me with enthusiasm to become what he was, what he is, the best of the best."

And it isn’t just his father who inspired him. His mother, Lon, spent six years as a Marine, which is how she met, and married his father. Even his sister, Jennifer, decided to get in on the family tradition and enlist in the military.

"This is one family that knows how important it is to give something back to the place you call home," Leslie said. "We understand that service to one’s country is not for everyone, but we believe that it’s one of the most important things people can do with their lives."

After completing his four-year enlistment, Antonio, like his father and mother, joined the Atlanta Police Department. All three continue to "protect and serve" citizens of the metro area today.

After the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, Leslie and Antonio answered the country’s call to duty and joined the Georgia Army National Guard. Both served with Monroe’s 178th Military Police Company until the 278th reached out to its sister units for volunteers.

Leslie said he and Antonio, both of whom live in Jackson, eagerly stepped up and volunteered. The son, who was a specialist when the unit deployed was promoted in August to the rank of sergeant. Leslie who was there, a proud smile on his face, put Antonio’s new stripes on his combat uniform, and watched as the younger Blasini, and 11 others, moved from the junior enlisted ranks into the NCO Corps.

That day, he said, goes down in the Blasini family history as one of the proudest moments he’s known, the staff sergeant said. It also goes down in Georgia Guard history as one more example of how the tradition of families serving together as Citizen-Soldiers remains strong.