PFC Melissa Townsend, above, on her first deployment leaves behind a 1-year-old son, Austin, to be cared for by grandparents Tony and Julie Townsend. Herald photos by Rose Hooper, Lisa Majors-Duff and Clyde Ray, a Smoky Mountain High School student completing his senior class project with The Sylva Herald
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"We are ready to roll," said Capt. Thomas Lewis III, Commander of the N.C. National Guard's 210th Military Police Co.
Well wishers joined the 210th during a mobilization ceremony Saturday, March 8, at Franklin High School's Auditorium. Members of the 210th from Sylva, Franklin and Murphy will join 10 other National Guard units already assigned to "Operation Enduring Freedom" and are expected to be activated this Saturday, March 15.
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"I've got a great squad and we're ready," said 28-year-old Staff Sgt. Andrew Kronauge, squad leader and combat MP.
Keeping the faith. Family friend and Western Carolina University student Tara Thurtchley (below) holds Faith Lewis, 7-month-old daughter of Capt. Thomas Lewis III, (above), commander of the 210th, while the family participated in the mobilization ceremony.
Two years, two months, two brothers. Specialists E4 Christopher Ollis, 20, (above, left) and his brother Geoffrey, 22, a former Western Carolina University student, are facing their first deployment in their two years and two months with the 210th.
Staff Sgt. Judy Whitley, administrator at the National Guard Armory office in Sylva, has spent 27 years in active duty, serving with the U.S. Army before joining the guard in 1985. "We are soldiers; we've got a job to do and we will do it," said Whitley, a support services specialist.
Jeff Hoyle and other Sylva town crew members tied yellow ribbons on downtown lamp posts Monday morning, March 10, in preparation for the 210th's deployment.
