The last time the Owensboro National Guard deployed outside of the United States was in 2004. Later this summer, the 206th Engineer Battalion will be deploying to the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) region, which stretches from Northeast Africa across the Middle East to Central and South Asia.
In order to ensure that those most impacted by the future deployment were best informed and prepared, a special meeting was held by the battalion commander and members of the Family Readiness Group (FRG) on May 19, to answer any questions family members of soldiers may have.
A lot has changed in the area of preparedness over the past 15 years, for soldiers and their families. Information was presented by various local organizations in order to provide the families with resources that would be available to them while their soldier is away.
Capt. George Meacham shared with the spouses and parents in attendance the memory of his deployment in 2003 when he missed the birth of his son and did not have the opportunity to meet him until he was 7 months old. Meacham also shared that, on this deployment, he will be gone for what will be his son’s 16th birthday.
“I understand all too well what it’s like to miss important times,” Meacham said. “What I do well, and what I know that I can provide to your soldiers in HHC is just a perspective on what it means to transition to and from being deployed and reintegrating with family because I’ve been through that.”
Meacham also referred families to Chaplain Greg Granderson 206th Battalion Chaplain, who was in attendance, with any concerns family members may have for their loved ones while they are gone.
Meacham added that there may be times that the family is the first to be informed when a soldier is dealing with a particular issue and can point them to the chaplain for guidance and counseling.
“Something really important that families can do because, honestly, you may hear through communication with your soldier of something that your soldier is going through before the chain of command hears about it,” Meacham said. “Your son or daughter or loved one may be able to communicate more with you — that is an awesome opportunity for you to advise your soldier on the resources that they have.”
Gold Star mother and President of the Brandon Scott Mullins Memorial Foundation Cathy Mullins was in attendance as well. Cathy and the foundation have been working with local schools in anticipation of having over 100 classrooms sponsor a soldier by sending care packages and handwritten letters to those who have been deployed.
A Yellow Ribbon Ceremony will be held prior to the soldiers’ send-off later this summer. A privately hosted dinner will be held to allow each soldier to spend time with their family member(s) one last time. The next day the community will be encouraged to support those deploying with a public send-off.
