Spc. Charles Lollar, a member of the 190th Military Police Co., places a strong, yet gentle hand on the head of his son, George. As he stares down at him, his eyes speak freely of what his heart feels. “My son is my hero. Everything we do is for family.” 

His son, age 10, reciprocates that loving sentiment adding, “My dad is the man! He let me ride with him in the (Atlanta annual) July 4th parade on his Humvee.” The elder Lollar proudly grins and chuckles, with a quick correction, “its not my Humvee, but I couldn’t imagine being there without him by my side.” Then they went on their way as they lost themselves in the excitement of the day. After all that is what the 781st Troop Command Family Day and Open House is all about. 

The 781st Troop Command, located in Kennesaw, currently has several members of its 161st Area Support Medical Battalion and the 277th Maintenance Company deployed to Iraq. The day’s activities were an opportunity to include the community in pre-planning homecoming events for these units.

The event offered the usual accoutrements; music, dunking booths, picnics and games. Including interactive exhibits created by the units within the command as well as Georgia National Guard Recruiting and Retention. The length of the armory hallways displayed the names of those deployed where friends, visitors and families could inscribe well wishes for a safe return.

“We want to make sure that the people that live in this community know what our men and women are doing”, explained Brenda Green, wife of Staff Sgt. Ronald Green a medic. “Not just because they wear the uniform, but because they live in this community and they care,” she is the chair for the command’s Family Support Team. 

That caring spirit was resonated by families and organizations. Spc. Robert Alwine easily transitioned from the dunking booth to getting a community boost, literally, as he was hoisted by visiting Kennesaw State University cheerleaders. Standing atop a standard squad ‘ground-up’ his comment was simply, “this is awesome!” 

Dan Froehlich, sales and service manager with the Atlanta Thrashers hockey team, didn’t think twice about what his family should spend their Saturday doing. “I’ve lived in the area since 1998 and drive by each day, so why not give your kids an idea of what goes on here.” His 4-year-old son, Aaron, was in obvious agreement as he tried his hand at the ‘pigskin’ toss. 

Funds raised will be used for homecoming celebration events and family support initiatives. Although there are no confirmed return dates for the deployed soldiers, the day’s activities were viewed as a dress rehearsal of sorts - an exercise in preparedness.

“We want our guys to know that we actually came together as a community and did something,” said Lollar. Not surprisingly he and George found their way to the Humvees. “We support them. We’re not just talking and e-mailing each other about this.” 

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