Ceremony In Mustang Honors Soldiers Headed To SW Asia

<p>National Guard Members represent one percent of the nation and Oklahoma deploys the most of them. On Sunday, the Oklahoma National Guard mobilized its latest company for its next mission.</p>

Sunday, September 25th 2016, 4:48 pm

By: News 9


National Guard Members represent one percent of the nation and Oklahoma deploys the most of them. On Sunday, the Oklahoma National Guard mobilized its latest company for its next mission.

Music filled the Mustang High School Event Center, as 168 members of the 1345th Transportation Company marched to their seats. Patriotic posters lined the walls and a crowd of family, friends and employers filled the stands to give the men and women of “Rolling Thunder” as their nicknamed, a proper sendoff.

“It feels nice, wonderful,” said Sgt. 1st Class Joey Rivera on the crowd that showed up to the departure ceremony. “I like to see people come out like that, it helps me to know that people care about what we're doing.” 

This is Rivera's 3th tour. He leaves behind his wife and kids and this time, a grandchild.

“Keeping in touch with all the family, that's how I get through it,” he said.

The Mustang High School choir performed the National Anthem and “This Is My Country” during the ceremony while the school’s JROTC Color Guard conducted the posting of colors. The students also packed about 180 bags of snacks for the soldier’s journey.

“The ceremony was very emotional, just seeing how the soldiers bond. I cried from the very beginning,” said Wanda Ramirez, Rivera’s sister-in-law. “The soldiers need it as well as the families.”

The soldiers trained at Camp Gruber for many months to prepare for their mission in Southwest Asia in support of Operation Spartan Shield. During their time there, they will provide security escorts and resupply ammunition to their areas.

“I'm ecstatic to actually go,” said Spec. Bryan Phillips. “This is my first time so it's a great opportunity to actually travel the world.”

However, for those leaving their families behind, the departure is bittersweet.

“It was hard, knowing this was the end,” said Spc. Jana Machniak.

Machniak and her husband Matthew will share their first mission together, while leaving their young children, 2-year-old Abigail and 1-year-old Benaiah, home with their grandparents.

“We've been prepared for it,” said Spc. Matthew Machniak. “Just making the most of the time we had together, making sure they'll be taken care of while we're gone and just understanding it's not going to be the end. We'll see them again.”

Outside the event center, the soldiers loaded up the busses, took a few final pictures with their phones and hugged their loved ones goodbye.

“It will be tough but we'll all come as one like a great big family, complete the mission and come back home safe,” said Spc. Phillips.

The company heads to Ft. Hood first, then on to Southwest Asia where they will spend the next year before coming home.

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