By COSHANDRA DILLARD
A wide range of emotions -- from joyous to heart-wrenching -- could be captured Friday at the Trinity Mother Francis Rose Stadium. A deployment ceremony for the 36th Infantry Division of the 136 Military Police Battalion was held for 166 soldiers on their way to Afghanistan as part of Operation Enduring Freedom.
"The group will be known as the Joint Task Lone Star and serve alongside Navy, Air Force, Army National Guard and Army Reserve units to carry out a year-long mission with "strategic implications," officials said.
Armed with American flags and cameras, hundreds of family members, friends and other well-wishers migrated to the stadium to say their goodbyes and show appreciation for the soldiers' service.
The dark clouds that filled the sky by the end of the ceremony were telling of the tone as husbands, wives, sons and daughters united before stepping onto a bus destined for a Mississippi base prior to their trip overseas.
Many dignitaries also attended the ceremony, including Tyler Mayor Barbara Bass and U.S. Rep. Louis Gohmert, who thanked the soldiers for their unwavering dedication.
Gohmert reminded the audience how important it was to remember the men and women who preserve the country's inalienable rights.
"Today, people step forward who hear the call of their country, who defend our inheritance, and when they return, all they ask is for acknowledgment," Gohmert said.
Following the ceremony, many soldiers clinched their families for several minutes while receiving hugs and kisses. Small children held teddy bears, given to them by the soldiers. Streams of tears became a flood for some as reality set in.
Specialist Justin Maiville, of Naples, was greeted by his wife, Ashley, mother Patricia Lippe and sister Allison Lippe.
The Maivilles have a 3-year-old daughter, Hailey, who was there and a 5-day-old son, Conner. Mrs. Maiville said a Caesarian-section was scheduled for their son's birth, so Maiville would not miss it. Still healing from her surgery, she joined others along the four buses' route as they awaited the soldiers' departure.
"It's one of the hardest things I've had to do in my life," she said. "It's tough seeing your best friend get on a bus and be gone for a year."
Allison Lippe added, "We're full of hope, but it's kind of bittersweet. You're proud he's serving his country but you hate to see him gone... We wish them all the best and we pray for all of them every day."
The deployment was nothing new for the Boyntons, of Lindale. Cpt. Douglas "Lee" Boynton held his wife, parents, three daughters and son as he prepared for his second deployment.
Mrs. Boynton is a lead volunteer for a Battalion family group, which helps families adjust to the transition.
"The kids are older and I know what to expect from them, but it still doesn't get any easier," Mrs. Boynton said. "But I believe he's where he's supposed to be, and he's going to be just fine."
The Boyntons have a son, Douglas Boynton III, already in Iraq and son, Keith, 19, was the most visibly affected by seeing another family member leave for overseas.
"It's just hard to say goodbye," he said.
Daughter Kayla, 21, worried about experiencing life without her father being accessible.
"I just can't pick up the phone when something happens," she said. "We realize it may be a while before we can get that back."
This was the fifth time the Ingrams, of San Antonio, have dealt with a deployment; however, it gets harder to accept each time, they said.
Staff Sgt. Gregory Ingram and wife Henrietta cuddled with daughters Alexis, 11, Krystal, 15, and son Carnegie, 8.
"The hard thing is that it is her birthday," Ingram said of daughter Alexis.
More than 19 years of the military lifestyle has brought the family closer, they said.
"We grow stronger from each other," Mrs. Ingram said. We've been praying a lot every day."
But there is an up side for the Ingram children. Ingram will be on leave for two weeks in October in time for Krystal's quinceanera.
For the second time, Specialist Eric Hernandez, of Ingleside, is being deployed. He said goodbyes to wife Jennifer, daughter Beyonce, 8, and son Alex, 6.
Serving his country given him a new perspective on life, Hernandez said, and he was humbled by the support received at the stadium.
"It's always great to know that somebody out there is in support of us," he said.
Mrs. Hernandez said she tries to keep the family busy during the time her husband is gone.
"The first two months are really hard," Mrs. Hernandez said. "I'm by myself with two kids, but they're older now and understand where he's at. It's always an emotional ride."
The ceremony is just the beginning for the children, she said.
"It hasn't sunk in yet," she said. "But it will once they get home and realize he's not coming right back."
Staff Sgt. William H. Todd, of Jacksonville has been in the Army for 22 years and has helped families deal with deployment. His son Braden, 10, and daughter Riley, 5 were there with his wife, Susan. Todd, who is being deployed for the first time, said he knew his time would eventually come, and the family has spent years talking about and preparing for this day.
"The big thing is how much they are going to grow and all I am going to miss," he said.
In the meantime, Mrs. Todd said, she is sure she will go through a denial phase as she deals with the transition.
Braden expressed his feelings about his father leaving as his sister held onto her father tightly.
"It's going to be hard without him," he said. "I think its going to be kind of weird because he won't be at all my baseball games."
Referring to advice from Col. Stephen Sanders, who spoke at the ceremony, Todd ensured that it was essential for his family to reach out for support, just as he would.
"We have a good unit and we take care of each other," Todd said. "We are a band of brothers and sisters. We are our own source of a support network."
Jessica Poe knows the feeling of deployment as well, but that was before she married her husband, Charles, a staff sergeant, and before they had son, Isaac. The 14-month-old, along with siblings Hannah and Caleb Wright, were there to send the soldier off. As the last call for soldiers to board the buses sounded, Staff Sgt. Poe's tears gained momentum.
"We get training for our mission but you can't train to leave your family behind," Poe said.
