Troops form up for farewell

Joe Henderson holds his 4-year-old son, Collin, after the ceremony Sunday honoring those deploying to Kosovo. Henderson is one of 50 Florida National Guardsmen from Company C and Detachment 1 of Company D, of 1st Battalion, 244th Aviation Regiment who was deployed earlier this week in UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters.

Sean Delaney held his 7-month-old son, Braxton, in a firm grip at the Army Aviation Support Facility on Sunday. Around them was a bustling of activity as he and 49 of his fellow soldiers prepared for a deployment ceremony to begin.
The young boy with curious eyes and an eager smile watched with little understanding of what was about to take place.
But his mother, Kristie, knew. She gently rubbed her slightly swelling abdomen, comforting the growing child inside as she looked on at her husband and older son. In just a few days, that image would be her final one of them together until Sean returns from his nine-month tour in Kosovo.
This was Sean’s first deployment since becoming a member of the Florida National Guard. Like his comrades, Sean was eager to begin the mission he had trained for.
The 50 members from Company C and Detachment 1 of Company D, of 1st Battalion, 244th Aviation Regiment were participating in a Deployment Ceremony before departing on UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters to Kosovo later in the week.
The ceremony began after the 50 soldiers lined up in formation, facing the stage and their honored guests, their backs to the airfield.
“This is the 97th time there has been a ceremony similar to this in the state of Florida,” said guest speaker Brigadier General Mike Calhoun. “Just since 2001, Florida has sent 17,000 soldiers into combat. Some of those are present today.”
Calhoun addressed the families struggling with the reality that their loved ones were now ready to begin their mission. “It’s hard to believe that your loved one or significant other is ready to go off,” he said. “But every time they put on that uniform, they were becoming more of a soldier.”
First Sergeant Daniel Cabrera and Commander Captain Lisa L. Paradee also addressed the soldiers and the audience, which consisted of popular faces like Mayor Lara Bradburn and Sheriff Al Nienhuis. Chaplain Maj Peppers delivered the prayer and the state flag was displayed.
The ceremony ended with a reception gathering of refreshments.
Company C, 1st Battalion, 244th Aviation Regiment is a 10-ship Assault Helicopter Company that is comprised of UH-60L “Blackhawk” helicopters based out of the Hernando County Airport. The soldiers will provide maintenance, logistical and administrative support.
When the ceremony ended, Linda Henderson stood close to her son, Joe, and 4-year-old grandson, Collin. This wasn’t Joe’s first deployment, Linda said.
Nor was Linda new to this scene. Her husband, Jim, was in the Air Force.
But it never gets easier, she added. “It’s heart-wrenching when you watch those helicopters go up.”