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Bama Guard unit begins final training for mission to Iraq

Printed today in The Birmingham News:

About 80 members of a Centreville-based Alabama Army National Guard unit will begin final training next week at Fort Lewis, Wash., for a mission in Iraq.

According to a state Guard press release, the 129th Medical Company will “provide health protection and ground evacuation to coalition forces” in Iraq.

A send-off ceremony for the unit will be at 2 p.m. Sunday at Fort I. Judson Sneed Armory in Centreville and the company will leave for Fort Lewis the next day.

Another Iraq-bound Army Guard unit, the 203rd Military Police Battalion from Gadsden, will be sending about 75 soldiers for some final pre-deployment training to Fort Bliss, Texas, following a send-off ceremony June 19.

In the news this weekend

Courtesy of the Montgomery Advertiser:

Air Force Airman 1st Class Derrick T. Mooney graduated from the Utilities Systems Apprentice Course at Sheppard Air Force Base, Wichita Falls, Texas.

Mooney is assigned to the 187th Fighter Wing in Montgomery. He is the son of Barbara Jiles of Montgomery. The airman is a 2006 graduate of Jefferson Davis High School.

Congratulations, Derrick!

Army Reserve Pfc. Heather R. Attkisson has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C.

She is the daughter of Margo Riesco of Prattville.

Congratulations, Heather!

Army Reserve Pfc. Dana M. Allen has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C.

She is the daughter of Jimmy and Anita Allen of Prattville.

Congratulations, Dana!

Army Reserve Pfc. Kendrena L. Harris has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C.

She is the daughter of Laronda Harris of Montgomery. Harris is a 2005 graduate of Gadsden High School.

Congratulations, Kendrena!

Rainbow City soldier honored

Posted today over at The Gadsden Times:

Rainbow City honors soldier

Twenty-year-old Eric Turner of Rainbow City might have expected a welcome home party when he returned from Iraq.

But the U.S. Army member never imagined he would have a day named in his honor.

On Aug. 11, Mayor Terry John Calhoun proclaimed the day Eric Paul Turner Day in honor of the young soldier’s accomplishments and personal sacrifices for his country and his community.

Turner joined the military at age 18 and is now ranked as an E4 specialist. He is an “all wheels” mechanic for the Army.

Turner was deployed to Iraq in May 2007.

He served there 15 months before returning to the United States on July 24.

He returned home for a 28-day leave on Aug. 9 and, only two days later, he found out just how much his fellow Rainbow City residents appreciate his service.

“My stepdad talked to the mayor about me, and they wanted to congratulate me and recognize me for the job I was doing and for serving in Iraq,” Turner said.

Turner said he knew he would be meeting with city officials on Aug. 11 but had no idea what was in store for him once he arrived at City Hall.

“It was all a surprise,” he said. “I was pretty excited and I thought that it was one of the coolest things ever.

“It definitely made me feel appreciated.”

Congratulations, Eric!

Son of Gadsden native heads to West Point

Courtesy of The Gadsden Times:

Cathye Townsend said she remembers Gadsden fondly and always is happy to visit her old hometown. It allows her time to visit family and reconnect with old friends. But even greater, this time around, she came bearing good news.

Her son, Andrew “Andy” Townsend, is one of 19 students from Alabama on their way to fulfilling their dreams of a military career as students at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y.

Townsend, who received the news a few weeks ago, said she is still stunned, shocked and scared all at the same time.

“We’re just so thrilled for him, he’s such a wonderful boy and this has been a lifelong dream for him,” she said.

Townsend, who now lives in Tuscaloosa, said the “good news” was well received by her family.

“They were so shocked and surprised that we could say someone in our family is going to West Point,” she said.

Townsend said her father, Jack Dean Carr, a World War II veteran, couldn’t wait to tell his grandson all of his old war stories.

“He was so proud,” she said.

Townsend’s mother, Cora Dean Carr, and the rest of her family all live in Gadsden and she said it has been a thrill for everyone.

Andy Townsend will attend West Point with a fellow senior from Hillcrest High School in Tuscaloosa, J.T. Watkins. The two young men were the only ones from west Alabama selected to attend the U.S. Military Academy.

According to a story in the Tuscaloosa News, Maj. Michael McBride of West Point admissions said only one of 10 who applies is accepted.

This year, West Point received more than 10,000 applications from students who were nominated by their member of Congress or U.S. senator.

In this case, U.S. Rep. Artur Davis, D-Birmingham, nominated both Andy Townsend and Watkins. Andy also received a presidential nomination.

Townsend said it is a great accomplishment for both Hillcrest students who received more than $800,000 in scholarship money.

Davis had a reception in their honor last month to celebrate their achievements.

Andy leaves for boot camp on June 28. Townsend said her son will begin “walking the gray line,” as the military refers to it, on June 30.

Andy will be missed greatly by his parents, but especially his twin brother, Corey, who is expected to attend the University of Alabama in the fall.

“It’s going to be their first separation,” Cathye Townsend said. “They’re going to miss each other a lot.”

But this is what Andy wants to do, he wants to follow in his dad’s footsteps, Townsend said.

Andy’s dad, Maj. Tommy Townsend, is retired and told the Tuscaloosa News that West Point is an honor and tradition.

Congratulations, Andy!