By Estelle Johnson
Special correspondent to the Cedar Falls News Hub
Mission and military mettle came together at the Cedar Falls High School on Wednesday as local families gathered to send off their sons and daughters from the Iowa National Guard Headquarters and Headquarters Company of the 133rd Infantry based out of Waterloo for a year-long tour of duty in the Middle East.
Two hundred and eighteen area soldiers said goodbye to their loved ones in an emotional, hour-long ceremony, similar to the ones taking place across Iowa. In all, approximately 1,800 members of the Iowa National Guard will support Operation Inherent Resolve, a rotational deployment with National Guard and active duty units from different states that has been ongoing for the past eight years, according to press materials provided by the National Guard.
“These send-offs are a vital tradition,” Maj. Gen. Stephen Osborn, Adjutant General of the Iowa National Guard, said in a press release. “They represent not only the courage and dedication of our soldiers but also the unwavering support of the communities that stand behind them.”
Congresswoman Ashley Hinson, Cedar Falls Mayor Danny Laudick, Waterloo Mayor Quentin Hart, Brigadier Gen. Derek Adams and Lt. Col. Matthew Parrino made brief remarks.
Red, white and blue filled the packed gymnasium, and many community members stood in the overflow space in the hallway to be a part of the ceremony and catch a glimpse of this special moment. Vietnam veteran caps appeared in the bleachers, where friends and families sat.
On the gym floor below, mothers, fathers, sons, daughters and friends in uniform stood in formation as the ceremony unfolded.
The soldiers’ camaraderie will be the closest thing they will have to a family during the deployment and that connection was visible as they joshed around before the ceremony.
Retired Black Hawk County Sheriff Tony Thompson and his wife, Janel, attended the send-off to support their son, Bryce, a state trooper. A fourth generation serviceman, Bryce who graduated from Hawkeye Community College prior to joining the Department of Public Safety, kept a brave face during the sendoff, as did his parents.
But afterwards, his dad, who has served overseas, said it was a tough moment for the family to witness.
“I really struggled watching the ceremony as a family member, having stood down there so many times as the soldier deploying,” he said. “I would rather be on the unit side 100 times out of 100. I had no idea how tough this would be.”
This will be the first deployment for Bryce Thompson, but for Sgt. Raquel Facciani, a Cedar Falls native, this was the second overseas deployment in five years, said her sister, Gabby Barnett.
Her family wore matching t-shirts with supportive messages, and her son, Ethan’s shirt read, “Proud son of a soldier.”
Before the ceremony, the family surrounded Facciani in prayer, then followed her inside the gym, their faces exuding emotion.
Long hugs and heartfelt prayers poured out of loving hearts and an overwhelming feeling of patriotic pride filled the space.
It was a life-changing event for those in uniform who were about to leave their civilian lives for the duration of the tour. It was just as tough for the loved ones who would be left behind, who share the sacrifice of their soldiers’ service from the home front.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, the soldiers were escorted by the Waterloo Police Department, as well as the Cedar Falls AMVETS Post 49 Honor Guard riding their motorcycles.
As the buses carrying the unit drove out of the high school parking lot, families waved from the sidewalk hoping to catch a final glimpse of their loved ones.
Services are available to those who have family members in the military. If you are struggling after a loved one is deployed, connect with the Blue Star Mothers of America – Iowa Chapter, at bluestarmothersia1@gmail.com.
In his remarks, Danny Laudick, the Cedar Falls mayor, thanked the deploying soldiers and their families and assured them that the community stands in support of their service and awaits their safe return.
“Service isn’t an individual commitment. It’s a commitment by every mother, father, spouse, sibling, son, or daughter,” he said. “So to everyone here today, thank you for supporting and sharing your loved ones in service to our communities.
“And for those of you deploying, just know that as a community, we have your back. We’re here for you and your family, and while you serve abroad, we’ll stand in service to looking out for you and yours here at home.
“God bless. God speed. And looking forward to celebrating with you when you get back state side.”