Gov. Holden helps send off National Guard troops

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Lt. Tammy Spicer normally talks about what others are doing in the Missouri Natural Guard.

On Thursday, the Guard's spokeswoman was deployed as platoon leader for a group of 50-plus soldiers who could end up driving supplies to U.S. troops fighting Iraq.

Spicer left behind two young children and a husband, Brad Spicer, who typically provides security for Gov. Bob Holden but has transferred temporarily to a less timing-consuming Highway Patrol job to take care of the family.

Holden was on hand for an emotional deployment ceremony for the 1221st Transportation Company, which left for duty on the day the United States launched its ground war in Iraq.

The 1221st Transportation Company drives flatbed tractor-trailer rigs, which can carry everything from tanks to food to the troops on the battlefield. The soldiers left Thursday for training at Fort Leonard Wood, but they fully expected to head from there to the Middle East -- perhaps Kuwait.

For Spicer, it's her second tour of duty. She also served in the first war against Iraq in 1991.

"I was single and young and didn't have as many responsibilities then," Spicer said while anxiously waiting to lead her company out.

Now, she said, "I'm apprehensive about leaving my family, (but) I'm not apprehensive at all about doing my job."

As the soldiers stood facing a crowd of more than 300 family members and friends, a string of political and military officials took turns publicly praising them.

"Today, as we face the reality of war, you have chosen to follow the path with courage," Holden told them.

Missouri's Adjutant General, Brig. Gen. Dennis Shull, encouraged them: "This is a very emotional day, and you're going to leave your heart here. ... Take your heads with you. Use you're mid-Missouri commonsense, and I have no doubt you'll come back safe."

Missouri now has about 2,500 National Guard members activated for duty -- most for the war with Iraq, but some are in Kosovo or helping guard Whiteman Air Force Base in their home state.

Many Guard members typically work full time in law enforcement or medical jobs.

"As we continue deploy more and more guardsmen, it is going to have a significant impact at the local level," Holden said, "because it cuts down the amount of leeway you have in personnel and how you move around."

Among those normally serving as a police officer is Derrick Fort of St. Louis County. For six years, he had hoped for an overseas tour. Although he knew it was a possibility, he hadn't envisioned his company being deployed at the start of war.

"I won't say it's a nervous feeling, but it kind of has you on edge," said Fort, who is leaving a wife and two young children at home. "But we're trained well, and as long as you keep your training in your head, you should be good to go."

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Missouri National Guard: www.moguard.com