Mass. Guardsmen preparing for deployment, Afghan mission

[unhappycamper]

Commander Tim Sawyer, Captain Matthew Christopher, and Captain Chad Cormier helped set up chairs for the send-off.


Mass. Guardsmen preparing for deployment, Afghan mission
By Brian R. Ballou
Globe Staff / August 1, 2010

WORCESTER — National Guard Sergeant Major Jeffrey Baillargeon got his first taste of combat more than two decades ago when he parachuted into Panama to help overthrow a military dictator. Previously, he had only seen portrayals of war and death in movies.

Baillargeon, 46, said he has tried to keep his family from worrying about his safety during his career, from Operations Just Cause to Desert Shield to Desert Storm, and recently, a tour in Afghanistan. But after returning from his latest tour in Afghanistan four years ago, his wife grew concerned after viewing photos snapped of him on duty and learning that he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for valor.

At a time when violence against US troops is at an all-time high in Afghanistan, Baillargeon is set to return in several weeks, part of the largest deployment of Massachusetts National Guard troops since World War II. Today at Worcester’s Foley Stadium, a crowd of hundreds is expected at a send-off for about 650 service members. Governor Deval Patrick and US Senator Scott Brown are expected to attend. The troops will depart from the event to a military base in Indiana, where they will undergo training for about two months. Then, they will catch a flight to Afghanistan.

“Well, it’s not the first time’’ her husband has been sent into harm’s way, Lisa Baillargeon said in an interview Friday. “I am nervous because of what’s going on there right now, and especially knowing what he went through the first time. It’s never easy, but I know he is capable of handling himself.’’

Last week, six Americans were reported killed in combat in Afghanistan, pushing the US death toll for July to a record 66, surpassing June as the deadliest month for US forces in the nearly nine-year war.



unhappycamper comment: Be safe, folks.

[Paper Roses]

1. 670 home stater's off to this nasty war. Total now over 100,000 troops.

in Afghanistan. When will it all end. It breaks my heart.


We are closing one field to open another. On schedule to pull out of Iraq, off to the next war.
Per Gates, we'll be there beyond the 2012 that had been announced earlier.

I have trouble figuring out how all this helps us. Maybe I'm just too old to see the real picture.
Meanwhile, send-offs from so many states. Sad. 670 from MA. Seems a huge number at once.

I hope all the troops remain safe during their year of hell on earth.