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Families gather to bid farewell

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Holly Brown
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SUMTER, S.C. --  As the Army 4th Battlefield Coordination Detachment prepares to deploy as a unit next week, to Southwest Asia for one year, families and friends gathered for a farewell dinner at the Carter Cabin Sept. 25. 

The evening was an opportunity to inform families, enjoy food and socialize with Soldiers, families and friends from the local community. 

Army Capt. Robert Medina began the night with a briefing to the families about the support offered from the Soldiers remaining at Shaw, the rear detachment, while the rest of the Soldiers are deployed. 

"In the most basic sense, what the rear detachment does is; we are going to be here to take care of the families. If you have family problems, if you have pay issues, if you have contact issues with your deployed spouse -- that's what we're here for. Also, emergency notifications, and we are available 24/7 for the entire deployment," Captain Medina said. 

Another avenue of support is offered to the spouses by the Army Family Readiness 
group. 

Carolyn Felix; wife of Army Col. Kevin Felix, 4th BCD commander, briefed the group's plan of events for the next year. The group has scheduled to meet twice a month throughout the next year, to get together for everything from pizza and a movie to trips to Myrtle Beach, S.C. 

"My main goal is to have some activities for the ladies to come out and enjoy," Mrs. Felix said. "I have gone through a deployment before, and if it hadn't been for the ladies, and the group, and the people who are living with it, with you, it would have been really hard." 

One of the spouses who is preparing for the first deployment of her marriage is Mary Wainwright, wife of Army Capt. Ryan Wainwright and mother of 16-month-old, Danielle. 

"I don't want him to go, but at the same time, he loves his job and he is great at it," Mrs. Wainwright said. "I know it will help me get stronger if I lean on God more." 

As the night wore down, everyone gathered around the cabin to hear some guidance from Maj. Gen. Timothy Rush, 9th Air Force and U.S. Air Forces Central Air National Guard assistant. 

"There are three times as a commander and a leader that I am concerned," General Rush said. "The first is during this time; as you're getting ready to deploy, you're worried about your personal business, you're making sure the spouses and children are taken care of, but you need to focus on your job." 

He also reminded the Soldiers to stay in the game, stay focused and stay prepared, throughout the deployment until they arrive home safely. 

Mayor Joseph McElveen Jr., of Sumter, also spoke with the families. 

"This is a place that loves the military, respects what you do and from the bottom of our hearts appreciates everything that you do. And I hope when you are away, you will know we feel that way," Mayor McElveen said. "God speed to you, stay safe, return to us safely; and we will be there to congratulate you and thank you for the wonderful service that you give to our country."