Houma Navigation Canal bridge to close
January 12, 2010
Hilda Guidry Curole
January 14, 2010
For the men and women of the Charlie Company 2nd Infantry, 156th infantry Regiment, “There will be no make up days for births, first steps, brithdays, and graduations,” said First Lieutenant Nick Acosta. Soldiers in Company C, better known as the “Black Sheep,” were deployed to Iraq last Thursday for a second time.
Before the troops could be sent over seas, family, friends, and a slew of local politicians gathered at the Terrebonne Municipal Auditorium to bid them farewell. Parish presidents Charlotte Randolph and Michel Claudet, State Representatives Gordon Dove and Jerry Gisclair, and four of Terrebonne Parishes nine councilmen were in attendance.
“What a great showing to have such support from our elected officials. This shows that we won’t forget the families left behind,” said General Hunt Downer, commander of the Black Sheep.
Although shipping out for active duty is difficult enough, friends and family of the Black Sheep must contend with a brutal past. On Jan. 6, 2005, a roadside bomb in Iraq killed 6 members of the unit. Many of those same troops chose to reenlist and will be returning to Iraq.
Thankfully, the Iraqi front has calmed down somewhat since then, and the unit’s primary mission will be providing security for Camp Victory near Baghdad International Airport. With memories of the Black Sheep’s last rotation weighing on their minds, speakers at the event put extra emphasis on supporting the families of the troops of Company C.
“This is truly a time for family and friends,” said Claudet, “and I know you don’t want to hear anything I have to say, except may God bless you and your families, and please come back safe.”
Downer, who is considering a run for Charlie Melancon’s congressional seat, praised the elected officials in attendance, saying, ” I assure if you call one of these elected officials, they will do their best to help you.”
For brothers Chris and Jordan Higgins, keeping on in touch with family will be easier because they’re serving together.
“I’ve got to look out for him, he’s kind of young,” said older brother Jordan.
“But if he’s smart, he won’t give me too much trouble,” joked Chris, who joined the National Guard before his brother, despite being younger.
Although they had trouble agreeing on who truly held seniority, they did agree on one thing.
“Mom hates it,” said Chris.
“Definitely,” said Jordan.
Although the brothers shared a wry laugh at the situation, everyone in attendance was painfully aware of the sacrifices families make.
“You are truly the unsung heroes of this nation,” said Acosta to family members in the audience. “You are the source of strength behind these soldiers.”
Staff Sgt. David Wyatt embraces his daughter Kaelynn following a sendoff held at the Terrebonne Municipal Auditorium. Wyatt is being deployed to Iraq with Houma-based National Guard’s Charlie Company. * Photo by MICHAEL DAVIS
